AFP - Supermodel-turned-photographer Helena Christensen urged politicians and world leaders to commit to real changes at the upcoming Copenhagen climate talks, as she launched a photo exhibition in London documenting climate change in Peru.
(Reuters) Reuters - Italian broadcaster Mediaset SpA forecast double-digit growth in pay-TV clients and boosted its product offering in a new move against rival News Corp unit Sky Italia. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 19 Nov 2009 | 2:02 am
Twilight was huge. New Moon will be huger.
Um, won't it?
Sure, go ahead, and call it now. You won't be disappointed. (Unless you were seriously expecting...
Surf Wax Australia:Mentalist star Simon Baker and producer Mark Johnson have acquired the film rights to Tim Winton's novel Breath. Both Baker and Johnson will produce and Baker will play a lead role in the story of two 16-year-old Australian boys who take up surfing with the help of a wacky instructor named Sando (Baker). Soon, the boys try to use surfing to escape their mundane lives of riding kangaroos, throwing boomerangs and thinking up their own versions of those "Fosters, it's Australian for beer" commercials. [Variety]
Dr. Do Lots Of Movies About Animals:Eddie Murphy will produce and potentially star in The Misadventures of Fluffy, a buddy comedy that's not as kid-friendly as the title makes it sound. The film takes viewers through New York City's vast underworld of talking animals and mixes in some social comedy. Imagine what the geese will say! [Risky Business/THR]
Toppest Chef: NBC has given the greenlight to a new reality cooking show that will give the winner his own chain of restaurants. United Plates of America comes from the producers of Top Chef and will pit restaurateurs against one another to impress a panel of wealthy investors from the business world. They'll have to win over these fat cats with their concept, menu and marketability. So it would be a good idea to go with burgers. Americans seem to like those. [THR]
More Time: HBO has renewed Real Time With Bill Maher for its eighth season. That means more arguing, more cursing and more wondering how Bill Maher dated models. Seriously, how? [Variety]
That Time of the Month: Angryfilms has optioned Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series Cycler. The novels are about Jill, a 17-year-old suburbanite who turns into a guy, named Jack, for four days every month. Jill is a normal girl but Jack makes things difficult on her. Think of this of a Fight Club-style twist that they tell you about from the start. [THR]
Good things come in small packages.
Before the first-ever petite cycle of America's Next Top Model came to a close tonight, southern belle Laura Kirkpatrick and the unprepossessing...
A couple more items to add to your list of things to avoid because they're probably going to give you swine flu: mall Santas and doctors's neckties. So if your doctor is a necktie-wearing Santa, you're probably already dead. [Boston Herald, WSJ]
Remember books? Yeah, those things you download on your Kindle. Well, authors Colum McCann and T.J. Stiles won awards for theirs yesterday. McCann's Let the Great World Spin and Stiles's The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt won National Book Awards in the fiction and non-fiction categories respectively. Yay books! [Arts Beat/NYT]
AP - Colum McCann's "Let the Great World Spin," a novel about daring, luck and mortality in 1970s New York, won the fiction prize Wednesday night at the 60th annual National Book Awards.
AP - Two Web sites that sold songs by The Beatles for 25 cents apiece should remain shut down indefinitely, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 18 Nov 2009 | 10:51 pm
LOS ANGELES - Of the 89 documentary films eligible for Oscar consideration this year, 15 were selected for a short list of potential nominees. And Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 10:50 pm
Conservative Doug Hoffman, who earlier this month lost the election to represent New York's 23rd congressional district, withdrew his concession tonight with a post on his website. Hoffman currently trails Democrat Bill Owens, who has already been sworn in, by 3,832 votes with 4,262 absentee ballots left to count. So he has no chance. Not that that phases him.
“As evidence surfaces, we find out that reported results from election night were far from accurate. ACORN and the unions did their best to try and sway the results to Obamacare supporter Bill Owens. Rest assured, they will not succeed, and I am therefore revoking my statement of concession.”
"We need to make sure that fair elections are a reality in NY-23, just like our Founding Fathers envisioned. So long as we remain the 'land of the free,' we MUST ensure every vote is counted. Help us today so we may be the first of many conservative victories during the Obama Regime."
Blaming ACORN and unions seems like a particularly desperate ploy at this point. But when you need 80 percent of the remaining ballots, many of which are from Democratic strongholds, to go your way, desperate is exactly what you are.
Sarah Palin: Why won't she just go the hell away?
—JYLynn, via Twitter
Her lingering corpse does seem odd, given she was slaughtered during the election, then drawn...
Tonight on So You Think You Can Dance we learned that while a remarkable solo can save a dancer in danger, a totally terrible solo won't necessarily get you sent home if you have already...
While Park Slope is busy giving disabled birds ironic nicknames, New Jerseyans are doing right by our avian friends. Tammy, an 11-pound wild turkey, was rescued off of the New Jersey Turnpike today after becoming a fixture of the stretch of asphalt over the past few days. And now she's going somewhere safe.
“This bird just loved to sit there and hang out,” said NJ Turnpike spokesman Joe Orlando. "She didn't want to leave."
Once rescued, Tammy was taken to a South Jersey zoo, where she will live with another turkey named Gobbler. Their children will be growing up gobbly.
Sure, Tom Colicchio's got much respect for the five who made it this far on Top Chef and it was a pleasure watching them all cook.
But only four made it out of tonight's episode...
Today the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the full-length documentaries that have qualified for the chance to take home an Oscar. A list of 89 eligible films was narrowed down to 15 and we can't but notice that it doesn't include Anvil! The Story of Anvil!. This is no good. But it doesn't mean they still can't be the show's house band. Make it happen Baldwin!
This is too friggin' funny. While Robert Pattinson taped a segment for the The Ellen DeGeneres Show (airing Friday), he asked a fan to strip off her clothes. And she did!
"I was...
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - College students ditched class, employees skipped work and some huddled in the cold overnight to make sure they get an orange wristband that would let them meet... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 8:52 pm
fiction prize at the 60th annual National Book Awards. T.J. Stiles' biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt, "The First Tycoon," was the nonfiction winner; Phillip Hoose's "Claudette Colvin"... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 8:50 pm
Colum McCann's "Let the Great World Spin" has captured the fiction prize at the 60th annual National Book Awards. T.J. Stiles' biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt, "The First Tycoon," was... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 8:42 pm
Helmer Toro, the owner of H&H bagels, was arrested today on charges he stole $400,000 in employee taxes that should have gone to the state and city governments. If convicted, Toro could be lox-ed up for 15 years. [NYDN]
According to a list by list-loving Forbes, Will Ferrell is the most overpaid actor in Hollywood. Its methodology:
'Forbes' looked at 100 top actors based on their widely released films over the past five years. It factored in the production costs of those movies against how much box office, DVD and other revenue they generated in order to come up with an operating income for each film, which it then compared with the salaries the stars earned.
So Ferrell made $3.29 for every dollar he was paid, landing him just in front of Ewan McGregor and Billy Bob Thornton, who were the second and third most overpaid. The most underpaid? Shia LeBouef. Who has one thing those three guys don't: peach fuzz.
Will Ferrell tops Forbes' 'overpaid' list [THR]
What could throw notorious tough guy Bill O'Reilly off his game? Could cause the master of telling people to shut up to lose his cool? Could lead the non-spinner of zones to throw "a hissyfit"? Other than not being able to spit out his sign-off on Inside Edition, of course, it's Sean Hannity getting to air an interview with Sarah Palin before BillO gets to air his own interview with her. [The Wrap]
When we read that The Daily Show correspondent John Oliver landed his own Comedy Central show, we rejoiced. Who doesn't love the dry-humored, shaggy-headed Brit? But our joy, as is typical, was soon replaced by disappointment when we read what the show will look like — an hour of stand up, by Oliver's favorite comedians. Sure, it'll probably be funny, but it won't be as good as all Oliver, all the time. If only he were a ventriloquist! [The Live Feed]
Two Web sites that sold songs by The Beatles for 25 cents apiece should remain shut down indefinitely, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. U.S. District Judge John F. Walter issued a... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 7:30 pm
Oscar won't be tacking a happy ending onto Capitalism: A Love Story.
Michael Moore's latest diatribe against the powers that be, this one directed at Wall Street and the...
• The critics: Sam Sifton of the Times surveys the new Oceana and isn't overwhelmed, giving it two stars; the Post's Steve Cuozzo is pretty pleased with A Voce and hands it three stars out of four; Time Out's Jay Cheshes bestows three out of five stars on Travertine; and Gael Greene heads to Jeffrey Chodorow's Tanuki Tavern and is surprised to find she actually kinda likes it. • The fanciest McDonald's in America is now open in Midtown. [AP, WPIX] • Marcus Samuelsson will cook at White House later this month. [Eater] • Openings/closings: Café Gitane's WV outpost has opened; cream puff spot Beard Papa has closed; and fro-yo chain Red Mango seems to be in trouble. • In addition to his son, JGV is now employing his daughter, too. [NYT] • David Waltuck has parted ways with Macao Trading Co. [NYT] • Zach Braff is a restaurateur on the side, apparently. [GS]
Front Page: 'Mentalist' star, Johnson will produce adaptation -- "The Mentalist" star Simon Baker and producer Mark Johnson have teamed to acquire feature rights to the Tim Winton novel "Breath."
Front Page: Digiboo will offer kiosk rentals for flash drives -- Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary's Revelations Entertainment has backed a new venture that will allow consumers to digitally rent films.
Michael David Barrett, the Illinois man accused of stalking the pretty ESPN reporter across state lines, didn't...
It may not be swine flu, but whatever other nastiness is going around, Nicole Richie has it bad.
The starlet was admitted to the hospital with a major case of the...
Heidi Klum will be on the "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" -- though she's still working on her figure.
In June, Olympic fencer Jason Rogers was flown to Paris to walk the Louis Vuitton men's show. He was fitted in New York before traveling over there, but once he got there, was cut from the lineup. "The day before, I went to the fitting and they couldn’t fit my legs into the pants," Rogers told us last night at the Cinema Society and Calvin Klein screening of Broken Embraces. "Athletes have strong legs, right? So I guess their suits were particularly slim that season, so I couldn’t fit into anything in the show, so I ended up not walking." But didn't they fit the pants in New York? "Well, I didn’t fit the pants at the fitting, so I think they were taking the risk that I would fit the clothes once they got me to Paris and they had more choices," Rogers explained. "But they didn’t bet on the, uh, serious muscularity of the fencers’ legs." He added that fencers are very skinny on top but very muscular on bottom. "I have like 5 percent body fat." He sat front-row and watched the show instead. Rogers is currently signed with Wilhemina and looking for more modeling work.
Jon Bon Jovi did a private acoustic concert Monday night for American Express card members at Alice Tully Hall, and we're pretty sure your mom was there. When it came to the question-and-answer portion of the night, we found ourselves slumping down in our seats, as if we could hide from the blunt declarations of love flying at the hunky 47-year-old rock star from his many randy mature-lady fans.
In between songs, Bon Jovi talked with Phil Griffin, director of the Bon Jovi documentary When We Were Beautiful, about boring-ish minutia like having the most No. 1 singles of any band in Japan: “You know how every band says they are big in Japan? Well, WE REALLY ARE!” But things got interesting when the ladies had a chance to say their piece. See if you can spot which one is your mom.
• The first two ladies who got up and gushed about how much they loved Bon Jovi and how he had changed their lives and how he was always there for them, unlike their husbands, and prompted Griffin to ask that someone, anyone, actually ask a question.
• The one who said her friends call her “the female version of you” because she’s so stressed out. And, when Bon Jovi mentioned he has a vein that pops out on his forehead, she blurted out, “I have that vein, too! I have it!”
• The many women who seemed genuinely turned on by this exchange:
Lady: “You are my happy place. I want to know, what is your happy place?”
Bon Jovi: “I love it when women talk about their happy place.”
• The one who said this: “Hi Jon, my name is Grace, and I’m about to throw up. I promised myself that I wouldn’t cry, but I’ve already cried! Thank you for all the music, for all the years. I actually think we should thank your wife for sharing you with all of us.” She started getting choked up, then asked a valid question: “I know we say a girl should grow up and marry a guy like her dad. So do you want Stephanie to grow up and marry a guy like you?”
Bon Jovi’s answer? “If some kid came by and said, ‘I’m going to be in a rock and roll band, and by the way, I’m going to support your daughter,’ [I’d think] then what, would I have to support him, too? But I would never stifle a kid’s dream, as long as he treated my daughter as well as I treat my wife. [After all, her father took] a chance on me, because I had no job, no future, no college ahead. Nothing. And he looked at me and said, ‘Just do the right thing.’ I guess I did the right thing ... Christ, I want to throw up now. My daughter’s getting married to some rocker! I was having a good time until this Q&A.”
• Or perhaps this one: “Hi Jon, how are you? My name is Lisa, and I have to start off by saying I’m sorry, because in October of 1986, I kind of blew you off at the Stone Pony because you were trying to talk to me. I didn’t know who you were! I’ve never lived it down, to this day. So I never officially got to say I’m sorry, but my guido boyfriend pulled me away from you. So, I’m sorry.”
Bon Jovi’s response? “There’s a lot of girls in high school who every Christmas, their mother slaps them: ‘You coulda had him!’”
ABC had (and, presumably, still has) high hopes that FlashForward would be one of the network's flagship series once Lost leaves the picture in May 2010. But according to some analysis run by the stat hounds over at TV by the Numbers, the odds that the show will be canceled before April 29, 2010 — the date of the titular flash forward — continue to grow with each passing week. The show continues to hemorrhage viewers and, if this trend continues, the network might have another repeat of the Invasion fiasco on its hands. [TV by the Numbers]
Anthony Darnell Washington II styles video shoots and editorial spreads, but his own look is "ever-changing." His favorite thing to wear is sweats. (The pants he's wearing are vintage from a Japanese shop, however.) And Anthony loves Prince's style, which perhaps you've noticed Rihanna sporting now and again. "She's like a muse to me even though we're like family." Find out what else he's wearing by watching the video.
Two reasons to avoid talking on your cell phone as you walk down the street? For one thing, you're a lot more likely to get mowed down by a car, according to two new studies. (Chatty college students took 25 percent longer to cross the street than their peers who weren't on the phone; people over 65 in the same situation were 15 percent more likely to get run over.) Reason No. 2: As one Vanity Fair staffer's recent experience makes clear, you're also much more likely to get your ass kicked. Consider yourself warned. [Daily Finance, Page Six]
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's final version of the Senate health-care bill will cost $849 billion over ten years, and will reduce the deficit by $127 billion in that period, and $650 billion in the following decade, congressional analysts announced today. That information will likely help Reid reach the 60 votes he needs to block a filibuster and ensure an actual debate on the Senate floor. It also meets President Obama's requirement that any plan fall below a $900 billion cost for ten years. This version is expected to include a public option with a state opt-out clause, a mandate requiring individuals to be insured, and it's reported that it will cover 94 percent of Americans. He hopes his fellow senators will vote to begin debate before they leave for Thanksgiving.
This could be your lucky day, because there's an opening at Rachel Zoe Inc.! Team Zoe is looking for an advertising sales and business development executive who can "evangelize The Zoe Report as being a leader in the fashion publication/newsletter space." If you get the gig, maybe you'll land on Bravo. Or better yet — work side by side with Rodger. [Fashionista]
We always thought there might be a happy person beneath that giant, furry, frowny face. We were wrong. A Columbia University journalism student interviewed Sad Panda, in Mandarin, and found that he is, indeed, kind of sad. Also, he's sometimes SpongeBob SquarePants, which is just disappointing. Gothamist has the video that spoils the dream. [Gothamist]
Leighton Meester and Michelle Trachtenberg had different styling approaches at last night's opening celebration for the new American Eagle Outfitters store in Times Square. Leighton played up her makeup with a bandeau top under a deep V-neck leather dress, while Michelle chose a strapless teal number, ivory blazer, and cheetah-print clutch.
AP - Some adults still believe that children should be seen and not heard. But what if that quiet child is writing down every foolish thing the adults are saying and doing?
Valery and Olga Kogan are back in business! Sort of! As you may recall, last year the Russian tycoon and his wife planned to build the craziest mansion Greenwich had ever seen, one equipped with 15 bathrooms, Finnish and Turkish baths, on-site hair salon, and electric guitar-shaped outdoor patio surrounded by "guitar god" statues.
Greenwich's planning and zoning commission initially rejected the couple's rather interesting architectural plans (some buttoned-up locals seemed to think the new manse would be a "sore thumb," believe it or not), but the board later relented and gave the couple the go-ahead. But then the Kogans decided to back out of the plan themselves, reportedly because of the costs involved and the fact the property was already mortgaged to the hilt.
The Kogans are now hoping to get back to some construction work—albeit on a slightly more modest scale. Instead of ripping down the house that's currently on the property so they can construct the blinged-out palace of their dreams, the Kogans are now asking for permission to fix up the home that's already there. No "guitar god" statues are involved this time around. Just a new driveway, a new pool, and some fresh landscaping. Buzzkill!
All is not lost, though. The Kogans reportedly plunked down $17 million to buy a home in Israel last year and they "expect to spend $50 million to build their dream estate." Anyone know how to say "good luck" in Russian?
While a number of senior Citigroup executives will be compensated for the bank's non-death with raises and/or stock packages this year, Vikram Pandit does not need money to continue to do the Best Job in the World. The CEO announced today that he will continue his reign of austerity by paying himself the same as last year: $1. (Looks around for applause, none comes, scuttles offstage.) [AP]
These are images taken following the spat between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, a fight that fellow blogger Dan Hopper had the b’s (balls) to say was “Fake.”
But I’m not so convinced. Look at the way the fah-head blood seems to just drip like so, a human Jackson Pollock canvas dotted with a blond ’stache. The way the blood on the shirt is oozing out like one of the bullet-riddled extras in Boyz n The Hood. The above Zombie Hulk Hogan is actually so strangely beautiful that it must be the work of the divine, and not Hogan’s wrestling entourage. At least, that’s what we’d like to believe this holiday season.
This week marks the DVD release of the short-lived series Andy Barker, P.I., created by Conan O'Brien and Jonathan Groff, and starring Andy Richter as a straight-laced CPA turned occasional private detective. With an all-star cast including Clea Lewis and Tony Hale (coming right out of Arrested Development), it seemed that Andy Barker couldn't fail. But alas, it did. Vulture spoke to Richter about the state of comedy on television, what special skills it takes to be a good sidekick, and Norm MacDonald.
We all had big hopes for Andy Barker P.I., and it seemed like everything was done perfectly. Yet, as you know, it only lasted six shows. What’s it like to revisit the material after a few years?
It’s fine. I’m glad that it mattered enough to be made into a DVD because I left the late-night show, not for one particular thing, but to try many different things. The one that was most accessible was to try and get a prime-time comedy. And I got some on, which was a success, but they didn’t last, which was not a success. So it ends up leaving one feeling a little insecure as far as, Well, I don’t know if anyone cares to see me in anything. So it’s nice they want to put it out on DVD.
What do you think the problem was?
Well, when you take it to the store, you gotta put it on the right shelf. And everybody who’s done a shitty show says “Well, it was mishandled.” Well, you know, my work is varied and I’ve done different quality of things — some things I’ve done are better than others. And I know the show was really good. And I know the show had a depth of characters and a deep well of possibilities and possible stories and ways that the characters could have grown, and it was just kind of thrown on the air without any outside promotion whatsoever. Not a dollar spent anywhere. A moderate amount of on-air promotion prior to its premiere, and really nothing thereafter.
Well, you have a few shows under your belt now. You’ve got some practice. Anything lined up in the future?
Well, you know, I’m the announcer on the Tonight Show. That’s enough for a while. Who knows what’s gonna happen. Good God, with the network, and what’s happening. I feel like there’s storms brewing and we’re just clinging to our little Tonight Show buoy trying to put on a funny show and trying to see how it all shakes down. But there’s so much with the network getting sold and ratings turmoil. We just keep doing it, and until that calms down, I’m not going to be thinking about game shows I can be producing.
So you guys are pretty shaken up over the talks of Comcast buying NBC Universal?
Yeah, because you don’t know. The direction that the network is in right now, and the choices that they’ve made, have been made by a current regime. And if the network is sold and you have brand-new owners, you don’t know whether that regime is the same. You don’t know anything. It’s like new mommy and daddy. New mommy and daddy might decide to paint the house pink and have all beanbag chairs. You don’t know, so it’s not necessarily insecure, but everything’s a variable.
Living in uncertainty is pretty crappy, I would imagine.
Yeah, but it’s also not unusual. And quite frankly, who knows. If it’s for the better, then great. Because things at the network are not in good shape.
In the end, what was it that finally prompted you to do the Tonight Show? Conan contacting you? The promise of stability?
All those things. And also just how shitty it is just trying to develop comedy right now. How dumb ideas are seeming to be rewarded. How a lot of the networks seem to have basically thrown in the towel on comedy and said ‘We just basically don’t know what we’re doing or what works,’ and we just kind of have more stuff where the dad’s kind of a jerk, the mom knows best, and everybody just kind of insults each other for half an hour and at the end everybody says they love each other and tune in next week for it all to start again. And that got to be fairly soul-deadening, placing myself for judgment in front of people who I didn’t feel were deserving of that position. There was a lot of “Who the fuck are you to tell me what’s funny?” A lot of that feeling. Made me happy to come back somewhere where I could just come in here and make TV every night. And it’s simple and it’s done and the next night you start over and it’s great.
You have a favorite guest on the show?
It’s mainly fun for me when friends come on. Will Arnett is one of my best friends, so it’s just fun for somebody to come play at work for the day.
You guys have had Norm MacDonald on a few times as well.
Yeah, yeah. Although I like Norm and I’ve known Norm for many years, but Norm is an enigma, to put it mildly. The things that I remember and the things that we’re really having fun with are things like blowing up a car and driving a monster truck through a pumpkin.
Oh, that was awesome!
It was truly awesome. It was really great. And it’s fun to get to do that. But you can’t do that stuff all the time. There’s only so many giant pumpkins in the world.
Don't ask him anything anymore. He got too famous.
Even if you've only been in New York City a short time, it's likely you've been surprised by one act of kindness by a stranger. For example, when Intel Chris was in crutches for a period of a few weeks, he was always surprised at the way people on the subway would help him out — from giving up their seats to actually holding open car doors as they attempted to slam shut, so that he would have time to hobble onboard. Intel Dan one time witnessed one woman who didn't know her way around the subway take another woman, a stranger who was even more confused, over to the map to help her figure out where she was going. And Intel Jessica had an experience where she left a bag that contained some freshly purchased expensive moisturizer from Bergdorf Goodman on the subway, and was startled days later to find the moisturizer in her mailbox — a Good Samaritan had found the bag, returned it to Bergdorf, and the store tracked her down and sent her the purchase.
Every year, New York enumerates dozens of "Reasons to Love New York" for our annual holiday issue. Last year, we asked you for your own reasons to love this great city, and we included them scattered throughout the magazine. This year, we are being more specific: We want you to tell us about the times you've experienced random, surprising acts of kindness or generosity from strangers. These can be moments big or small — anything that jolted you enough to remind you how much you love this crazy place. Send them to us at reasons@nymag.com or leave them in the comments, and we'll include our favorites in the issue. Hopefully, at least some of yours — unlike ours — will occur above ground.
The Ajman sheikh who was thisclose to finalizing his buyout of Christian Lacroix failed to submit financing guarantees ahead of a big hearing in Paris this week. Lacroix and his CEO say they are confident in the sheikh, but his lawyers didn't return calls from WWD Tuesday. This could be very bad, because Italy's Borletti Group withdrew its bid in September. If the sheikh's bid doesn't go through, Lacroix stands to be reduced to a licensing operation, with many jobs lost. A judge will rule on Lacroix's fate December 1, so the sheikh better get his act together. Paperwork is a bitch, but this is a storied 22-year-old fashion label we're talking about here. If a 33-year-old can buy Escada, what's this guy's problem?
NPR's "All Songs Considered" shares their 50 most important albums of the aughts. Not "best," and not in order (other than alphabetical), but most important. We guess they're allowed this exercise in self-indulgence because they're NPR, and they're the only ones who consider all songs. [All Songs Considered/NPR]
When political insiders suggested yesterday that the mayor pay more attention to places outside of Manhattan's toniest precincts, they probably didn't have Russia or China in mind. But both those countries are expected to benefit from Mike Bloomberg's latest charitable donation, a $125 million gift designed to improve road conditions in 10 developing countries around the world. But he'll get to this next. Don't you worry. [WSJ]
“I happened to pass by the Jelly concerts when I was riding my bike through Williamsburg," the senator said today, "and I was amazed at the thousands of people who lined the streets to come to the concerts. People from every part of the country who had made their way to Brooklyn, enjoying music and one another’s company — it’s the best of New York. When I heard that the concerts might be canceled, I couldn’t understand why, given that this is exactly what our parks are supposed to be for, and I am going to do everything I can to see that they continue.” [ArtsBeat/NYT]
MAKEUP
• Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen tested out spring's biggest beauty trends at a Museum of Modern Art benefit last night, as Mary-Kate wore two-tone berry lips (like Rodarte) and Ashley wore subtle pastel streaks in her hair (like Proenza Schouler). Do you like their choices? [Beauty Counter/Style.com]
• Leighton Meester played up the eighties for her makeup look last night at the American Eagle store launch party in New York, caking on purple eye shadow and painting her lips bright red. [FabSugar]
FRAGRANCE
• The United States Polo Association filed a court complaint against Polo Ralph Lauren, asking for permission to use the double-horsemen logo to market a line of fragrances. Right now, the Polo Association cannot use the logo because that would be infringing on the trademark of Polo Ralph Lauren. [WWD]
PLASTIC SURGERY
• A survey of British surgeons claims that 20 percent of plastic-surgery patients are referred to psychologists because of unrealistic expectations, and may be turned down by plastic surgeons. This includes both men and women. [Daily Beauty Reporter/Allure]
HAIR
• Sandra Bullock said her family hated her hair blonde when she was filming her new movie The Blind Side. [StyleWatch/People]
NAILS
• China Glaze's new Ohh Ahz collection is out this month, and it is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with names like Ruby Pumps (red), the Ten Man (silver), Cowardly Lyin' (gold), C-C-Courage (purple), and more. [Temptalia]
• O.P.I.'s Hong Kong won't be released to the United States until February, but a preview shows 12 new shades ranging from a caramel Chop-sticking to My Story to a cobalt blue Suzi Says Feng Shui. [Beauty Anonymous]
When we reviewed The Private Lives of Pippa Leein August, we called Keanu Reeves "surprisingly sexy." So when we caught up with the actor this week at a Cinema Society screening of the film, we wondered if he thinks of himself in that way. "As surprisingly? I don’t know how to take that," he told us, laughing. "I think I'll take it." See more in our Party Lines slideshow.
The NY Lottery has finally set its sights on the one group of people most often forgotten in this world: Childless Women. A few weeks ago, they hit the world upside the head with a furry frying pan, debuting their first “Sweet Millions” ad which featured groups of baby animals in pajamas. We thought “OK NY Lottery. You win this time. But never again will we fall for it,” as we raised our barren ovaries to the sky like the ultimate Mortal Kombat champion.
But their assault on our senses is not over. EW’s Michael Slezakbrings us their next ad in their series of “Let Me Just Roast My Eyeballs Like Marshmallows Because I Don’t Know What Else To Do With Them” campaign, this time featuring TINY BABY BUNBUNS AT A CARNIVAL. It is one hare (cue this) shy of being possibly the best thing we have ever witnessed. They spin round in small cups, pose for photos, RIDE UNICYCLES, play bumpercars…. Bless the lottery, for ruining some lives, and improving countless other ones.
AP - It's been a big year for animation, with a great variety of styles represented by "Up," "Monsters vs. Aliens," "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and the upcoming "The Princess and the Frog."
Condé Nast has shut down six magazines and laid off hundreds of staffers in recent months. But the company's annual Christmas party will return once again this year. Okay, so it's at Aureole next door (a "corporate cafeteria with a soundtrack of smooth jazz in the George Benson style," per the Times), and not at the Four Seasons as in years past. But it's better settling for stir-fry at Condé's own cafeteria or, even worse, nothing at all, right? [NYO]
She paired the blouse with a blue cardigan for a visit to an elementary school in Virginia. Her hair was up yet again (she hasn't worn it down publicly in days). See the full look in the Michelle Obama Look Book.
On The View today, Sofia Vergara talked about raising her 18-year-old son. But she looks so young — how does she have an 18-year-old son? Easy. She was raped when she was thirteen.
Just kidding LOL!!!!! Good one Sofia! Nothing like a good ol’ fashioned knee-slappin’ “I was raped” joke to bring the View audience to stitches!
Clockwise from top left: Antique Rings, Hand Creams by Love & Toast, Weekender Bag by the Brothers Bray & Co., All Star Rain Boot by Converse, and Sequin Skirt by Femme for DKNY JEANS.
Black Friday is next week, and while you’re probably busy planning sale strategies with our handy Shopping Guide, there’s also the small matter of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Not to worry! We’re back with our annual Shop-A-Matic Holiday Gift Guide, complete with 500 ideas that make it easy to shop for even the hardest-to-please recipient. There are 93 accessory finds, from cozy scarves to party-ready clutches. For the design lover, we hunted down 193 ideas, from delicate glass vases to vintage flatware. And there are almost 400 options under $100, so you can keep well within your budget. Check out our top five picks for the holidays.
Weekender Bag by the Brothers Bray & Co. Price: $98 Why We Like It: A roomy but structured duffel in polished gray offers up ample space for quick weekend trips, perfect for your brother in college who insists on bringing clothes home in a laundry bag.
Sequin Skirt by Femme for DKNY JEANS Price: $80 Why We Like It: Sequins remain a strong trend as we head into the holidays, and this budget-friendly skirt will appease your style-conscious sister.
All Star Rain Boot by Converse Price: $80 Why We Like It: It’s been deceptively mild so far, but dirty slush puddles are mere weeks away. Gift this to the sneaker lover who can’t bear to ruin his kicks come bad weather.
Antique Rings Price: $39 each Why We Like It: Bold, vintage cocktail rings in candy-colored hues are sure to please antique-loving moms.
Hand Creams by Love & Toast Price: $10 each Why We Like It: With scents like Gin Blossom, Honey Coconut, and Mandarin Tea, these ultrarich shea-butter-infused hand creams will keep hands hydrated throughout winter. Give one to a co-worker or slip one into a stocking.
Just when you thought Michael Jackson tributes had grown long past stale, Gerard Butler delivers a stirring homage by dangling a plant wrapped in a towel outside his window for the paparazzi in honor of MJ’s infamous “dangling his baby Blanket off a balcony” incident:
He gets creativity points, but hopefully these tributes to infamous MJ incidents will stop before a ten year old boy has to take the stand somewhere.
Last week, MTV announced its newest series, Jersey Shore, which it promises will feature the "hottest, tannest, craziest guidos" in the Jerz. (Think The Hills, but starring people who are tanner and have a whole lot more confidence.) What you can expect to see: all the fist pumping, pecs, and hair gel you can handle, naturally. So how close will it be to reality and how much of it will be the product of imaginative MTV producers? To separate fact from fiction, we reached out to the world's leading expert on guido-dom, Anthony Moussa, a 30-year-old Jersey native who founded the website NLSociety.com (formerly the infamous NJGuido.com), and asked him to explain to us what the lifestyle is really all about. Join us as he discusses man-jewelry, the origin of the fist pump, and how some guidos today are disgracing the culture that so many hold near and dear.
Yeah, it's typical wannabe TV guidos. They're not the real thing. It's like they pulled them straight off of YouTube. I'm going to be laughing at them because they're so fake. At the end of the day, there are real guidos and there are others who pretend to be them but who have no class and no manners. I have no time for those people. But it makes good TV, right?
We'll see soon enough. So how would you characterize the whole Jersey Shore lifestyle?
When you're younger, it's a nice family place. People in this area really grow into loving the Jersey Shore because it reminds everyone of summertime and good times. When you turn 21, the club scene is intense. It's buffed up guys and tanned up girls. In the summer, you get out of work on Friday, drive down the shore, get stuck in traffic, get to your share house, and start drinking. As each person comes in, you have a drink with him, and then you realize you're drunk before you even go out! And that happens every weekend for the entire summer! It's a great time.
What, exactly, is a guido?
It's a fashion statement, really. Trendy jeans and tight shirts and the spiked haircut are all very standard. I mean, we kind of defined guidos back in the day. Hitting the gym and getting a tan is part of it. When you're in that scene and you're competing with those other guys, they're not coming to the table with flabby arms. The only way for you to pick up Jersey girls is to look as good as the next guy in line. It's a competitive thing. That whole culture is about going to the gym five times each week.
Does a scrawny guy like a hipster have a prayer with the ladies on the shore?
To be honest with you, no. He doesn't stand a chance.
Does every self-respecting guido spray tan?
Personally, I don't think anybody should spray tan. I think it's a joke. But I can't deny it. Tanning is definitely a guido thing. But going to a tanning booth should be left to the summer. Well, or at least the spring and summer, so you're ready for summer. It's a very competitive scene appearance-wise between men trying to get the women.
How would you classify a guidette?
Well, any girl who hangs out with a guido. [Laughs] It takes a certain type of girl to date a guy who spends as much time in front of the mirror as she does, you know what I mean? As far as physical appearance goes, guidettes wear tight pants, tight shirts, and have their boobs hanging out. Oh, and they're tan.
Is a boob job a requirement?
Yes. No. [Pause] You know, I don't know. The people I hung out with back in the day, there weren't a ton of boob jobs. But now it's pretty standard. Either way, women make sure what they've got is pronounced.
What is the average nail length for a guidette?
They all wear the nail tips. I don't really know. But if I did know, that would be a little strange, don't you think?
Okay, fair point. So, is there a regulation height for a guido's hair?
Nah, but you definitely need hair gel to keep your hair up. That's the standard. People always make fun of it, but the reality is you need a lot of gel to get it that way. It is what it is.
How long does that take?
It's been very exaggerated. It's really only about 5 minutes. I mean, I'm a pro, I've been doing it forever. You put the gel on, push it up for about a minute, and then you have to spray a ton of hair spray right on there on top of it to make it stiff and hold it.
Do you use more product than your wife?
No... I don't think so. She buys the expensive stuff; I buy the cheap stuff.
What are your thoughts on man-jewelry?
I'm not opposed to it. If I go out for dinner, I wear a gold bracelet and a watch. But I don't stack on three pinkie rings. I don't know that jewelry is as much a part of it, but it's another way to be flashy and compete. If another guy goes to the gym four days, you've got to go five days. If he wears a bracelet; you've got to wear a bracelet with diamonds.
How do you feel about being labeled a guido?
It's what I am. When this whole guido reemergence happened, it all came about because of our site, NJGuido.com. Because we put a spotlight on it. I don't feel comfortable having that image in the hands of some kids on TV. Without my hand in it, I can't really say I'm that guy anymore. The main difference is that we never disrespected women. We never just went up to girls and grabbed them or ever yelled at them. We didn't get in fights either. That's all I see now. Oh, and we knew how to dance. Not like these guys you see on YouTube. I'm sure you've seen "Guidos in Cabo."
Not yet. I'll have to check that out. So what's with the fist pump?
My personal belief is that it originated at a club that used to be around called Temptations. The DJ would bring you down and then build you up with the music, and then there would be this peak of energy. Whenever that happened, people would pump their fists. The reason the one-handed, over-the-head fist pump came about was because the club was standing room only. You had to reach your hand as high up as you could in the air because that was the only way to make room, and you had to make yourself known. A big song would come on, and you'd be packed in like sardines. You had to really reach up not to hit anybody. To this day, everybody says the whole closing of Temptations a couple years ago changed Seaside Heights completely. It was our mecca.
So where are the guidos hanging nowadays?
A lot of people go to Belmar or near there in Seaside or Point Pleasant. D'Jais, Tiki Bar, The Headliner... those are all pretty much guido places. The Surf Club is guido heaven.
What are some signature Jersey nightclub anthems?
Well, now it changes every week, but classics parties are big on the shore. Old school anthems like Whitney Houston's "Your Love is My Love"—the remixed dance version—was huge. Know the song called "Baby Wants a Ride"? That's a real fist-pumper. Vengaboys' "Kiss" was a big one. Not the one you heard on the radio; the dance version. There's one by Sal Dano called "Hands Up." That one's pretty awesome.
No Bruce Springsteen, then?
I mean, you could still guido fist pump to that, but I don't know who you'd be doing it next to. When the guidos are in full force, it's always club music that's on.
What's the guido drink of choice?
Grey Goose or Ketel One. It's definitely vodka. It's the only thing that doesn't make you too full, and it gets you drunk. It's the perfect club drink. Shots are more of a bar thing. Did you see "My New Haircut" on YouTube with the kid with the Jager bombs? That was hysterical.
No, sorry. You really watch all those guido-bashing videos too, huh?
Well, yeah, because I think it's funny how the public sees guidos, and I know how most of us really are. When I see these idiots imitating guidos, I don't think they're imitating me. They're the new wannabe versions.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about the guido lifestyle?
People think we're stupid. Guidos are still responsible people with respectable jobs. It's not a bunch of kids that are working for the weekend. I never felt that that was a fair perception. Whatever. People make fun of the Jersey bridge and tunnel crowd, but these people have money to spend just like anybody else. It's not a stupid crowd. It's just a few people acting stupid. I've been a computer consultant for 12 years, and I make a decent living. Also, most guidos are not disrespectful to women. Maybe I'm wrong, or maybe I'm just old.
But you're only 30.
That's old in guido years! [Laughs] When I was 25, it was five o'clock on a Friday and I'd call my buddies and we'd just scream on the phone because we were so excited for the weekend. We'd be like, "It's five o'clock, what the fuck are you doing?"And then we'd meet up at happy hour. But Monday through Friday, I'm normal.
Jersey guys seem like a good time.
You can say what you want about guidos, but we're always a good time. We're only out trying to have fun. We're not trying to show up the preppy guy wearing the flannel to the club. There's competition for the women if you're a single guy, but were not competing with the preppy guy. We're competing against our own kind. Picking up a girl in New York City isn't very hard anyway because you're not competing against a bunch of other ripped guys like you would be in Jersey. It's a free-for-all.
You guys sure are confident.
Look. Five days a week to the gym and then buying a new outfit from Bloomingdale's on Friday to wear for the weekend? What's not to be confident about? A real guido doesn't need to analyze women and intimidate himself before he even goes up to one. We don't care if a girl knows we're not rich. It's still worth a shot, right?
Friends, we've given up. We believe in mermaids before vampires, but Twilight is a force too powerful for our most poignant blog posts to defeat. Since we can't beat them, we are joining them. And so in advance of this Friday's New Moon premiere, we're taking a look back at the style evolution of the Twilight Saga's biggest stars.
We begin today with Robert Pattinson's maybe-lover Kristen Stewart, who has been walking carpet after carpet in a slew of brand-new designer clothes, including spring 2010 looks by Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, and Balenciaga. But there was a time in her not-quite-storied fashion career (she's only 19) when she'd pair these kinds of dresses with Converse sneakers. See it all in the slideshow.
Yesterday, the world saw the first photo of Levi Johnston’s wang-less attempt to class up the pages of Playgirl. Meanwhile, Britney Spears went and sullied the pristine reputation of the iPhone and its many fart apps. None of that matters, however, because Heather Locklear has returned to Melrose Place, and Gabe Liedman was there to celebrate this moment in history:
Finalists Nicole (left) and Laura wear rope, because that's what's fierce.
It's November, so that tingling, cold sensation creeping down our spine can only mean two things: Either our heat isn't working, or we're approaching the finale of America's Next Top Model, in which yet another pretty girl who's worked hard for weeks on end will win the right to get swept under the rug by CoverGirl and never be seen again. But what a cycle this was. Tyra's trailblazing — in her own mind — "short models" season featured girls who were long on personality, if perhaps not on career prospects (or legs), and yielded the first-ever final two instead of a trio of finalists. But despite the presence of an early front-runner in that last pair standing, it might not be as easy a decision as it seems. Once again, we don our odds-making hats — they're like bejeweled turbans, but taller — and predict whether flame-haired Nicole or country-fried Laura will take the crown in lucky Cycle 13.
Nicole: Even money.
We said it MIGHT not be an easy decision … but it probably is. Nicole is a stunner who's taken a raft of gorgeous photos with nary a clunker in the bunch, earning her the distinction of being hated by almost all her competitors primarily because she kicked their asses every single week (yet never gloated about it — good for the soul; less good for TV). She also managed to pull out a decent CoverGirl ad in spite of her occasionally monotonic voice, proving that she's not fallible even when you expect her to be, and she may be the only girl in ANTM history to get an extravagant red weave that didn't end up looking like roadkill. In other words, Nicole probably has to tank the finale’s runway show — like, tumble-into-Tyra's-lap-and-pierce-her-with-a-stiletto tank — in order to lose. But considering that she's the model with the most legitimate long-term prospects, we almost hope she does crash and burn, so that she's free to accept actual work as soon as this thing is over. Also, we'd love to see Tyra's expression if an errant pump knocked her wig out of place.
Laura: 5 to 1.
Unlike most cycles, this finale does not boil down to one strong walker versus one great speaker; in fact, we have no idea whether either of these two knows how to comport herself on a runway without bruising her tailbone, and they've both proven glowy and charming on-camera. So the contest could potentially come down to intangibles like relatability, which CoverGirl loves and country-girl Laura has in spades. She positively oozes down-home quaintness, prone to twanging things like “We don’t have a lot of oceans in Kentucky” and sporting clothes made almost exclusively by her grandmother. She’s also got the better backstory: If you don't hear the phrase "castrating bulls" at least three times in tonight's episode, referring to Laura's job before the competition, we'll go neuter one ourselves. (By which we mean we'll consider forgoing our nightly Diet Coke.) But lest you think Laura only made it this far on charm and blind luck, may we remind you that the girl took some seriously fierce photographs along the way. In fact, in what we believe is another ANTM first, neither she nor Nicole ever appeared in the dreaded Bottom Two during an elimination. So Laura could sneak away with this one … but primarily only if Nicole lets down her guard, or loses her face in a tragic lip-gloss accident.
Eddie Murphy's Daughter: 1 to 10.
No question about it, The Spawn of Murphy is the only odds-on, slam-dunk victor this cycle, thanks to endless press about how Eddie is attending the final runway show and his daughter will appear in it. Raise your hand if you even remembered he had a daughter, much less one who's old enough to model … yeah, we thought not. Congrats, kiddo! As of today, you're marginally less anonymous. Run with it. We hear CoverGirl may be hiring.
Bad news for bagel-loving Upper West Siders: Helmer Toro, the owner of H&H, was placed in handcuffs this morning:
Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced the indictment and arrest of the owner of H & H Bagels for stealing withholding taxes and evading unemployment insurance tax in connection with his wholesale and retail bagel business. The defendant, Helmer Toro, 59, has been indicted on charges of grand larceny, offering a false instrument for filing and violating the labor law through unemployment insurance tax rate manipulation. The crimes charged in the indictment occurred between July 31, 2003 and April 24, 2009.
Toro is scheduled to be arraigned later today and faces up to 15 years in prison where, it's worth noting, bagels are not served. [Manhattan DA via BI]
AP - "New York: The Novel" (Doubleday, 864 pages, $30,) by Edward Rutherfurd: New York City wasn't born a grand metropolis and world financial center. In 1664, the year in which Rutherfurd begins his latest sweeping historical novel, New York is New Amsterdam, a modest Dutch trading post of about 1,500 residents on an island the Native Americans called Manna Hata.
Supermodel Karolina Kurkova and fiance Archie Drury walking in Tribeca with their new baby ... Daniel Day-Lewis leaving the Plaza Hotel ... Uma Thurmanwalking her dogs downtown ... Halle Berry leaving Morandi after having lunch ... Elijah Wood carrying lunch on the set of The Romantics on Long Island ... Sandra Bullock walking into her hotel ... Fergie leaving her hotel ... Hugh Jackman jogging downtown and later taking daughter Ava for ice cream ... Taylor Momsen filming scenes for Gossip Girl with Chace Crawford ... Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban holding hands outside their apartment building ... Heidi Montag leaving the Waverly Inn.... and Maria Menounos riding in a pedicab in Midtown because she supposedly couldn't find a cab.
A Swedish hockey player scored his first goal of the season last night and attempted to joyously celebrate but… well, let’s just say it didn’t totally work.
People Magazine has revealed their Top 15 Sexiest Men Alive. Not on the list? Perhaps the sexiest actor out there, Mad Men’s Jon Hamm. Allow us to walk you through this list, analyzing each of the lucky Top 15, and grading them the only way we know how… with Hamms.
15. Robert Pattinson. It was inevitable that RPattz would be on this list. In fact, we’re surprised he’s clocked in so low. It goes without saying that a photo of the Twilight star = Big $$$ for the magazine. We’ll reward People’s decision to play it safe with an extra Hamm.
4 HAMMS
14. John Legend This is a pretty surprising choice. Legend is certainly one of the most adorable, puppy-faced guys out there. But it’s his crooning that pushes him from “cute neighbor” to “please father my children.” So far, people seems off to a good start.
3.5 HAMMS
The list continues ahead. And yes… we did give someone HALF A HAMM.
13. Jerry O’Connell. The above picture has officially given us Cushlash. O’Connell has managed to stay in the spotlight following his My Secret Identity days by using the one two punch of having a great sense of humor and marrying a supermodel. We like him because even with all these bells and whistles, he doesn’t seem to full of himself. (See: Above picture in Speedos.) Then again, is he the 13th Sexiest Man in the World? Sexier than Jon Hamm?
11. John Cho. No arguments here. Though we would have also been happy with our other favorite Hot Asian, Daniel Henney.
4 HAMMS
10. Adam Lambert. Soooo…. hi. Lambert is one of our favorite people to come out of 2009 – pun half intended. We love him more than we love certain family members of ours. (And if those particular people in Hungary and/or Israel are reading… JK?) He’s easily clocking in at 5 Hamms in our book. That being said, while the above photo is adorable, there are pah-leeeenty of others they could have chosen that evoke Lambert’s undeniable sexiness in a clearer way. For that, we’re docking half a Hamm, but that’s really on People Magazine’s head.
4.5 HAMMS
9. Nick Cannon. Not our style. Looks like a 7 year old with a pituitary gland problem. Also, married Mariah Carey, who is old enough to be one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. Funny? Maybe. Sexy? Hale no.
1 HAMM
8. The Glee Guys. This seems unfair. You can’t just group three guys into one photo and include them in the same number. It’s 15 Sexiest MEN Alive, not Sexiest Casts. And speaking of casts, where are the rest of the Glee men? Kurt & Artie? Principal Figgins? Just for that, we’re giving People Magazine an automatic Half-a-Hamm for lack of detail.
But because we are sticklers for rules, we shall assign their Hamm-rating individually:
Cory Monteith, Finn: Cute, in a doofus kind of way. But that above photo? Why? If we’re being honest, even though we love the guy, we’re giving him:
2 HAMMS
Matthew Morrison, Will Schuester: Handsome? Yes. But the rapping… the rapping… has ruined… everything.
3 HAMMS
Mark Salling, Puck: Clearly…
5 HAMMS
7. Gilles Marini. Don’t really know anything about him. Don’t really need to.
4 HAMMS
6. David Beckham. Sure, he’s sexy. But isn’t he sort of over? Aren’t we all kind of sick of him? It would be nice to see some new sports faces among the Sexiest. Beckham is hot, yes, but a robot.
2 HAMMS
5. Robert Downey Jr. Love him. He could be 90 and still be A-OK on this list.
4.5 HAMMS
4. Bradley Cooper. See, this is why the folks at People have really done mussed things up. Bradley Cooper would have been a great choice for the Sexiest Man Alive. He’s been in a bunch of hit films, he’s tall, strapping, hot as ess, has dated his fair share of actresses, and in comparison to some of the folks on this list, is a fresh face. But #4? After Jake G, who hasn’t been in anything ALL YEAR? BOO ON YOU, PEOPLE. But back to Bradley… <3
5 HAMMS
3. Jake Gyllenhaal. Look, we like Jake Gyllenhaal. He’s a great guy! And we know he has no say over these sorts of lists, and probably hates being on them, and probably hates his publicist for putting him on them. That being said, we are here to judge this list. Sadly, we are forced to give JG the following rating, because really, there are other people who deserve to be on here…
3 HAMMS
2. Ryan Reynolds.The Proposal was our favorite comedy of the year. He was half the reason.
4 HAMMS
1. Johnny Depp. Sigh. J-Depp. Great guy, smart, strange, etc etc. Not really sure if he has any teeth, though. And almost POSITIVE he reeks of B.O. (Even you Johnny Depp defenders out there can attest to his obvious musk.) A great actor, certainly, someone who will continue to break box office records for many years. That being said, we just can’t get behind this ruling. So we’re being extra harsh with this one…
1 HAMM
Agree or Agree to Disagree? Feel free to express your feelings in the comments. Source: Best Week Ever | 18 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am
The director and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" star Jason Schwartzman on
bringing Roald Dahl's classic to the big screen
Wes Anderson's newest venture may be an animated take on a classic kids' story, but from its corduroy-clad characters to its cozy look at family dysfunction, Fantastic Mr. Fox is classic work from the director of Rushmore, The Royal Tennenbaums and The Darjeeling Limited. Rolling Stone caught up with Anderson, who wrote the film's screenplay with Noah Baumbach at original author Roald Dahl's own home, and Jason Schwartzman, who voices Mr. Fox's misunderstood son Ash.
The findings were based on work by four female researchers, who discreetly observed women at one of the city’s biggest nightclubs from a balcony above the dance floor.
Using tape recorders hidden in their handbags, the researchers took note of what female clubbers were wearing and how many times they were approached by men asking them to dance.
Whoa, discreetly observing women at one nightclub and counting times they were asked to dance? Sounds scientific. It’s so scientific, it’s gonna spawn its own USA series called “Science Science,” a spin-off of “Weird Science” that wins the Nobel Prize for Outstanding Science.
If I recall my science training (learning the Metric system once in 7th grade), this study appears to overlook more than a couple variables, not the least of which is: Is the girl hot? I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest a 10-percent-revealing hot chick will have more luck than a 40-percent-revealing friend of the gay bouncer, but that’s not taken into account in this study, making it already irrelevant.
Also, is the girl dancing intimidatingly well or invitingly stupidly? Is she with a group of friends or a weird dancing alone person who attracts weird dancing alone dudes? Is she standing next to a dude who looks like a grown-up version of the A-Hole bully from 80s teen comedies? Is she holding a baby? Waaay too many factors to consider here.
If you’re not buying the 40%, there’s another surefire way to attract dudes at a club: Being remotely attractive and doing anything. I’ll back that statement up with science as soon as I get the necessary funding.
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, seen here in October 2009, is to play Winnie Mandela in a film charting the turbulent life and times of the ex-wife of South Africa's first black president, it was... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 10:52 am
Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair held a press conference in Australia to promote their still-aliveness, and things got a little out of hand when Flair made a comment about Hulk’s wife, then got offended at himself or something and punched Hogan in the face, bloodying him.
This video couldn’t be faker if a unicorn ran by, knocked over both wrestlers and revealed that they were just two cardboard cutouts, high-fived Andy Kaufman, then went online to start a Zack Morris death rumor:
Buzzfeed brings us this video of a domesticated pet otter named Sidney. Our first reaction: YOU CAN DOMESTICATE OTTERS?! While this seems to be a dream invented in God’s heaven, we could also see it having dire, dark consequences. For example, we, personally, would certainly hug our otter until it stopped moving. So, in a way, perhaps its best this doesn’t become a trend.
Master of movie adaptations on the wild stunts and Team Edward
moments in "New Moon"
With just days to go before the release
of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Rolling Stone
chatted with the film's director, Chris Weitz, about the
anticipated movie's wildest stunts, the loyalty of Team Edward and
the scenes you won't find in Stephenie Meyer's original book.
You said everyone's been asking you about the pressures
of taking on such a successful franchise, and they also want to
know why vampires are so popular.
Honestly, there weren't really any pressures for me because there
was...
AP - Alan Bennett is that peculiarly British thing, a writer who is both barbed and beloved, contrary and cuddly. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 18 Nov 2009 | 6:18 am
Reuters - Russia's top health official has proposed that the country's fashion designers create trendy face masks to combat swine flu, his spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 18 Nov 2009 | 5:32 am
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a press conference in Moscow. State-run Russian Channel One television in Moscow has premiered an animated show "Cartoon Personalities" which parodies prominent... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 1:52 am
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Anna MALPAS Undated television screen shot released by Russian Channel One television in Moscow on November 17, 2009 shows an animated character of US Secretary of State Hillary... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 18 Nov 2009 | 1:52 am
Good things come in small packages.
Before the first-ever petite cycle of America's Next Top Model came to a close tonight, southern belle Laura Kirkpatrick and the unprepossessing...
Sarah Palin: Why won't she just go the hell away?
—JYLynn, via Twitter
Her lingering corpse does seem odd, given she was slaughtered during the election, then drawn...
Tonight on So You Think You Can Dance we learned that while a remarkable solo can save a dancer in danger, a totally terrible solo won't necessarily get you sent home if you have already...
Sure, Tom Colicchio's got much respect for the five who made it this far on Top Chef and it was a pleasure watching them all cook.
But only four made it out of tonight's episode...
This is too friggin' funny. While Robert Pattinson taped a segment for the The Ellen DeGeneres Show (airing Friday), he asked a fan to strip off her clothes. And she did!
"I was...![](http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20091118_bagel_146x97.jpg")
Oscar won't be tacking a happy ending onto Capitalism: A Love Story.
Michael Moore's latest diatribe against the powers that be, this one directed at Wall Street and the...
It may not be swine flu, but whatever other nastiness is going around, Nicole Richie has it bad.
The starlet was admitted to the hospital with a major case of the...
Valery and Olga Kogan are back in business! Sort of! 
Last week, MTV announced its newest series, Jersey Shore, which it promises will feature the "hottest, tannest, craziest guidos" in the Jerz. (Think The Hills, but starring people who are tanner and have a whole lot more confidence.) What you can expect to see: all the fist pumping, pecs, and hair gel you can handle, naturally. So how close will it be to reality and how much of it will be the product of imaginative MTV producers? To separate fact from fiction, we reached out to the world's leading expert on guido-dom, Anthony Moussa, a 30-year-old Jersey native who founded the website 
It's a fashion statement, really. Trendy jeans and tight shirts and the spiked haircut are all very standard. I mean, we kind of defined guidos back in the day. Hitting the gym and getting a tan is part of it. When you're in that scene and you're competing with those other guys, they're not coming to the table with flabby arms. The only way for you to pick up Jersey girls is to look as good as the next guy in line. It's a competitive thing. That whole culture is about going to the gym five times each week.
Well, any girl who hangs out with a guido. [Laughs] It takes a certain type of girl to date a guy who spends as much time in front of the mirror as she does, you know what I mean? As far as physical appearance goes, guidettes wear tight pants, tight shirts, and have their boobs hanging out. Oh, and they're tan.
It's what I am. When this whole guido reemergence happened, it all came about because of our site, NJGuido.com. Because we put a spotlight on it. I don't feel comfortable having that image in the hands of some kids on TV. Without my hand in it, I can't really say I'm that guy anymore. The main difference is that we never disrespected women. We never just went up to girls and grabbed them or ever yelled at them. We didn't get in fights either. That's all I see now. Oh, and we knew how to dance. Not like these guys you see on YouTube. I'm sure you've seen "Guidos in Cabo."
Bad news for bagel-loving Upper West Siders: Helmer Toro, the owner of H&H, was 
A new study by University of Leeds researchers — financed by the UK’s Ministry of Creating Wacky Internet Facts For People To Inappropriately Email To Their Female Co-Workers — has determined that women 
