AP - James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" is getting its first airing before a mass audience in London.
AP - James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" is getting its first airing before a mass audience in London.
 Telegraph.co.uk | Tiger Woods' Alleged Mistresses ABC News Rachel Uchitel arrives from New York at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles Nov. 29, 2009. The National Enquirer published a story alleging that golfer Tiger Woods, who was involved in a car accident near his home on Friday, ... Tiger Woods' Alleged Mistress Takes Precautions Tiger Woods' promiscuity rattles mistress into STD screening! Tiger 'Mistresses' Decide To Come Clean |
AFP - Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, absent from the country for more than a year for medical treatment, will return to the country late Friday, the government announced.
 SnoValley Star | Manassas Ballet takes 'Nutcracker' to schools in outreach Washington Post The noisy chatter associated with an elementary school assembly quickly came to a halt Friday afternoon as Manassas Ballet Theatre dancers emerged onto a small stage in Potomac View Elementary School's cafeteria. ... Grace Ballet puts fresh pirouettes in 'Nutcracker' 'Nutcracker' tradition sends students home Four dance companies producing "The Nutcracker" this month |
Love her or hate her, revere or loathe her style, Michelle Obama's story is a compelling one.
And that's why Barbara Walter's picked the first lady as the most fascinating...
 New York Daily News | mtv's Tony disanto defends "Jersey Shore" Reuters LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Protests, ads pulled, reported threats -- and the second episode hasn't even aired yet. MTV programing president Tony disanto spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his headline-making new reality show, "Jersey Shore. ... Jersey Shore's Advertising Woes ... Fuggetaboutit The Boob Tube: Gel and lipgloss galore in 'Jersey Shore' 'Jersey Shore' star 'The Situation' talks about mtv's controversial series |
Barbara Walters was kind of tough on Bill O’Reilly on Wednesday evening when she went on The Factor to promote her “10 Most Fascinating People” special. “What are you watching, Nickelodeon?” she said before calling O’Reilly “old fashioned — my god!” She also rolled her eyes and shouted O’Reilly down when he challenged her decisions to include Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert (“this gay guy”) on her list. Then Barbara took it below the belt and accused O’Reilly of being jealous of his colleague, Glenn Beck, also on the list. O'Reilly laughed it off awkwardly.
Barbara Walters Tells Bill O'Reilly: You're Jealous Of Glenn Beck [HuffPo]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: in other news, adam lambert, barbara walters, bill o'reilly, fox news, glenn beck, lady gaga, the o'reilly factor, tough old broads
An Education: Cameron Diaz has enrolled herself in Bad Teacher, a Jake Kasdan-directed comedy scripted by Office writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, about a "foulmouthed, gold-digging middle-school teacher who, after getting dumped by her boyfriend, competes with a colleague for the affections of the school's model teacher." If you're the world's only person who watches Glee to see what happens to the adults, you're probably already standing in line. [Variety]
Speaking of Glee: Idina Menzel — the Wicked actress who won a 2004 Tony for her cover of Kurt Hummel's "Defying Gravity" — is nearing a deal to join the cast of Glee as the director of New Directions' rival show choir, Vocal Adrenaline. As long as she never raps, we're totally on board with this. [Ausiello Files/EW]
League Reupped: It fills the heart-shaped hole in our chest (that ABC put there when it canceled Cavemen) with happiness to hear that FX just bought itself a second season of The League, the fantasy-football comedy starring Vulture buddy (and Cavemen alum) Nick Kroll. Yay! [Live Feed/HR]
Don't Pass Me By: On January 4, ABC will air the one-hour premiere of Conveyor Belt of Love, a dating show on which 30 dudes will be sent down a conveyor belt, with each given one minute to make an impression on a group of five women. If interested, the women can select a man to take on a date. The uninteresting men will continue down the belt and be ground into hot dogs. [Variety]
Loving Angels Instead (of Vampires): Disney has snapped up the film rights to Lauren Kate's YA novel Fallen. The four-book series, all covered under the deal, involves a love triangle whose three points are a girl and a pair of fallen angels who've been fighting over her for a hundred years. "Twilight comparisons are inevitable," says HR, probably because this sounds exactly like Twilight. The publishing industry is convinced that angels are the next vampires, and Disney throwing money at this thing certainly won't change its mind. [HR]
Read more posts by Lane Brown
Filed Under: the industry, abc, bad teacher, cameron diaz, conveyor belt of love, fallen, glee, idina menzel, lauren kate, nick kroll
This will blow your mind: Simon & Schuster noticed that when it released e-book and hardcover editions of its books simultaneously, the hardcovers sold less. That said, the publisher will wait four months to release the e-book editions of 35 titles hitting stores between January and April to avoid cannibalism. If you want to read Karl Rove’s Courage and Consequence, for example, without killing trees, you’re going to have to wait four months longer than everybody else. A slew of other imprints — Farrar, Straus & Giroux, St. Martin’s Press and the Hachette Book Group — will soon begin staggering release dates as well.
[NYT]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: book business, book sales, books, cannibalism, e-books, kindle, simon & schuster
"You can't always get what you want?" Whatever! Not when it comes to those fan-freakin'-tastic New Directions over in the land of Glee!
You know the ones we're...
AP - If you haven't gone to a movie, jazz concert or an art exhibit in recent years, you are in steadily growing company.
Governor Paterson voiced his support for Wall Street bonuses, calling pay in the banking industry “rather low” during an address to over 100 executives from the banking industry on Wednesday at the Museum of American Finance, one block east of the New York Stock Exchange. If the banks kept bonus money to themselves, Paterson said, other New Yorkers would never see the tax windfall. Paterson, who has a rock-bottom approval rating and is leagues behind the fundraising of Democratic primary challenger Andrew Cuomo, kept his remarks away from the mortgage meltdown and Bernie Madoff. Richard Parsons, the chairman of Citigroup, called the speech “terrific.”
Governor Gives Wall Street a Thank-You [NYT]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: the cuddle muddle, bonuses, business, david paterson, governor david paterson, governor paterson, museum of american finance, new york stock exchange, politics, wall street
President Obama, currently on Air Force One flying to Oslo to accept his Nobel Peace Prize, is stuck between a rock and a hard place: He is accepting the Peace Prize having just vowed an additional 30,000 troops to the war if Afghanistan; meanwhile Norwegians are mad that he canceled a celebratory lunch with King Harald V and is trying to minimize the pomp and press of his visit. Over 5,000 are expected to protest the war in Afghanistan at the award ceremony on Thursday, but 44% of polled Norwegians think it was rude of him to cancel the traditional lunch. Obama will address these contradictions in his 25-minute remarks and donate the $1.4 million in prize money to charity.
Nobel peace prize: Norwegians incensed over Barack Obama's snubs [Guardian]
Obama departs for Norway to accept Nobel prize [AFP via Breitbart]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: international intrigue, afghanistan, barack obama, king harald V, nobel peace prize, nobel prize, norway, oslo, politics, president obama, traditional lunches, war in afghanistan
If you were to ask us which celeb would be most likely to become entangled in the Tiger Woods' wreckage, George Clooney would not spring to mind.
But now the sexy star is forced to...
AP - Pop star Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley say their daughter is trying to recover from her "dangerous actions" of last weekend, when New York City police received an emergency call about Alexa Ray Joel.
 Baltimore Sun | 'Top Chef' crowns its winner: What did you think? Entertainment Weekly Yes, a season that was until last week largely predictable finally named its sixth Top Chef. The episode really had me guessing until the last second, but how did you guys feel? Were you happy with the judges' decision? ... 'Top Chef' Winner: Does He Deserve It? Top Chef Finale a Brotherly, Motherly Affair A New Top Chef Winner Is Crowned |
Actors Colin Firth, Nicholas Cage, Morgan Freeman, Peter Sarsgaard, Stanley Tucci and Christopher Waltz answered James Lipton-esque questions — “Why do you act?” — from The Hollywood Reporter during a roundtable interview-cum-discussion. Freeman, the group’s elder statesman at 72, kept things from getting too armchair artsy-fartsy, saying “Isn't there a big, 800-pound gorilla missing here? Money, money, money,” when the group was discussing the costs and benefits of a career in acting. He also clipped Cage’s wings when he was boasting about drinking between scenes while filming Leaving Las Vegas.
Cage: The other thing is, I wasn't sure I could play the part totally sober, which I was. In "Leaving Las Vegas," I had a few drinks between scenes to get to a certain feeling, to get to a certain truth. But with this I was trying to look at it more impressionistically from a landscape of maybe 25 years ago to see what would come out of that filter of my imagination.
Freeman: Did you ever try crack?
Cage: No.
Freeman: You should. (Laughs.)
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: hollywood elder statesmen, christopher waltz, colin firth, crack, crack cocaine, morgan freeman, nicholas cage, peter sarsgaard, stanley tucci, the hollywood reporter
Liza Minnelli has settled out of court with her driver of ten years, M’Hammed Soumayah, who brought charges against the performer in 2004 for beating him, forcing him to have sex with her and spitting on him when he refused. Minnelli was deposed last month and had to answer questions about the charges under oath; the two sides struck a deal soon after on November 13. Minelli previously faced a $10 million suit from ex-husband David Gest, who suffered drunken beatings, during which, he said, Minnelli possessed super-human strength. [NYP]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: minnelli madness, David Gest, lawsuits, liza minnelli, M'Hammed Soumayah, sexual harrassment, super-human strength
Karaoke performers at one Flushing bar will have to find a new way to sing like nobody’s watching after 30 people, including the bar’s manager, were arrested for involvement with a ketamine, ecstasy and counterfeit cigarette ring. Police found thirteen jars of ketamine and nineteen packs of cigs with fake Virginia tax stamps when they searched the bar on Saturday night. Nineteen packs! [NYP]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: ballsy crimes, angel of mine, cigarettes, counterfeit cigarettes, drug ring, drugs, ecstasy, flushing, k-holes, karaoke, ketamine, queens
 Erictric | Vevo: Are we excited? Bono is. Los Angeles Times The music industry finally got its version of Hulu on Tuesday night. Or, to be more accurate, sometime this morning, as the much-hyped launch of Vevo was intermittent and slow going until early this afternoon. But post-launch quirks are to be expected, ... Vevo launches, but will you use it for streaming music videos? Music labels bet Vevo.com is next MTV techbytes: Music Videos Online |
At least Tyler Perry is left with many precious memories.
Less than two months after the filmmaker informed his fans that he was taking some time off to be closer to his...
AP - A Palestinian shopkeeper and father portrayed as a terrorist in the movie "Bruno" is suing film star Sacha Baron Cohen, David Letterman and others for libel and slander.
 National Post | Art coincidentally imitates life in historic, timely 'Invictus' USA Today By Keith Bernstein, Warner Bros. Pictures By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY At first, Invictus might seem like the opposite of a timely movie — the story of Nelson Mandela's presidency and the end of apartheid in South Africa during the early '90s. ... Morgan Freeman brings touch of "God" to Mandela film 'Invictus' back story: Mandela, rugby and reconciliation in South Africa Capsule reviews: `Invictus' and others |
• The week in reviews: Sam Sifton of the Times pronounces Madangsui the best Korean BBQ in Manhattan and gives it one star; the Post's Steve Cuozzo isn't all that impressed with Le Caprice; Time Out's Jay Cheshes has mixed feelings about Susur Lee's Shang; GQ's Alan Richman heads over to Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield's Breslin; and Gael Greene checks in on Café Boulud.
• It's looking likely that Scott Conant will take over the Table 8 space. [Eater]
• A peek inside the Guggenheim Museum's new restaurant, Wright. [NYT]|
• Nightlife: A new club on West 29th Street called Amnesia debuts tomorrow; and Mike Satsky's meatpacking club Provocateur should open shortly.
• More on the Tavern on the Green auction scheduled for next month. [NYT]
• Time Out lists off the 100 best things to eat and drink in New York. [TONY]
• The Flatiron Indian eatery Tamarind is opening a branch in Tribeca. [Zagat]
• Frank Bruni and Jonathan Safran Foer debated meat last night. [TONY]
• If your kid refuses to eat at McDonald's, watches Iron Chef religiously, and studies up on varieties of cheese, you probably have a "gastrokid." [NYP]
MTV’s Jersey Shore is not all swollen lats and hair gel — the show is increasingly steeped in violence. First, MTV added security at its Times Square headquarters after a wave of violent threats directed at the show's staff. And now the second trailer released by MTV shows one cast member, Snookie (whose “ultimate dream,” by the way, “is to move to Jersey, find a nice, juiced, hot, tan guy and live [her] life,” according to what she said in the first installment), getting punched in the face at an Ocean County bar during filming in August. It’s unclear exactly what Snookie did, if anything, to provoke the punch from 23-year-old Brad Ferro, but apparently he had just stolen her drink after being cut off by the bouncers earlier in the night. The close-fisted punch knocked Snookie off her bar stool, but she didn’t receive medical treatment.
Snookie gets punched at 1:26.
After her drink's stolen, MTV star gets punch [Philly]
Related: Angry Mob Issues Death Threats Directed at MTV’s Jersey Shore PR Battalion
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: jersey shore, ham and water, mtv, reality television, snookie, tv
There will be no vote on gay marriage in the New Jersey State Senate tomorrow after all. The bill’s sponsors have postponed the vote indefinitely, although they only have a month before Chris Christie, who will veto if given the chance, takes over for Governor Corzine. The sponsors want extra time to make sure support for the bill has a chance to mature before the vote.
Meanwhile Bruce Springsteen broadcasted his support for the bill today on his website, echoing a statement by Corzine and urging “those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now.” The boss, however, still has absolutely no desire to get involved in state politics or perform at Christie’s inauguration.
NJ gay marriage vote could shape battles ahead [Reuters]
A BRIEF STATEMENT FROM BRUCE [via NYT/ArtsBeat]
Read more posts by Zeke Turner
Filed Under: equal rites, bruce springsteen, chris christie, gay marriage, jon corzine, new jersey, new jersey state senate, politics, the boss
AP - "A Single Man" easily could have been one of those style-over-substance visual dazzlers, coming as it does from Tom Ford, the fashion designer who revived the house of Gucci.
Casual sex does not lead to long-term emotional or psychological damage, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota. (But that doesn't mean hooking up with a total stranger won't leave you with a nasty case of chlamydia, of course.) [Star Tribune]
Last week, Bloomberg News columnist Alice Schroeder suggested that panicky Goldman Sachs bankers were "loading up on firearms" in the event a "populist uprising" broke out. But that's not the case, you'll be relieved to hear:
New York police spokesman Paul J. Browne says that their records show only four Goldman employees have applied for gun permits in recent years—and the last application was made in 2003. That application, by the firm's head of security for a "carry permit", was granted. The only other employee granted a NYPD "carry permit" is a building security guard. It was issued prior to 2003, said a police spokesman.
Are Goldman Sachs Bankers Really Carrying Guns? [WSJ, previously]
Whoa, baby! Kendra Wilkinson is in labor.
The reality star could give birth to a baby boy at an Indianapolis-area hospital any minute now, E! News has learned...
Fashion Wire Daily - Business is booming for Jason Wu, the young New York-based designer whose name became a household name when first lady Michelle Obama wore his one-shouldered white gown to President Obama's inaugural ball in January earlier this year.
Fashion Wire Daily - Business is booming for Jason Wu, the young New York-based designer whose name became a household name when first lady Michelle Obama wore his one-shouldered white gown to President Obama's inaugural ball in January earlier this year.
Maybe she studied PR strategy at Tool Academy.
Jaimee Grubbs, the first woman to admit to steaming it up with Tiger Woods via text message and otherwise, has offered a heartfelt,...
Earlier this month, Alice Schroeder wrote a quasi-commentary, quasi-trend story for Bloomberg that began, inauspiciously, with a thirdhand anecdote from a Goldman Sachs banker. "The banker had told this friend of mine that senior Goldman people have loaded up on firearms and are now equipped to defend themselves if there is a populist uprising against the bank," she wrote. "Has it really come to this?" As we suspected, no, it hasn't.
The Journal's Suzanne Craig did the actual legwork, and it seems like the story — in which Schroeder claims "her friend" says she wrote a reference for said banker to get a permit from the NYPD — may have been a complete fabrication:
New York police spokesman Paul J. Browne says that their records show only four Goldman employees have applied for gun permits in recent years — and the last application was made in 2003. “We haven’t seen a surge of applications of any kind for Goldman Sachs employees,” said Browne.
Schroeder is the author of The Snowball, the biography of Warren Buffett that the oracle was apparently displeased with. Neither have commented on that publicly, though Schroeder did tell the Dallas Morning News, "We're still in touch with each other, but ... it is not as frequent as before. You can conjecture what you want from that. I will not stop the conjecture." Apparently she does that a lot.
Are Goldman Sachs Bankers Really Carrying Guns? [WSJ]
Read more posts by Jessica Pressler
Filed Under: goldmanfellas, alice shroeder, business, goldman sachs, warren buffett
Bob Guccione's former mansion on the Upper East Side is about to get a lot less porntastic. The 27-room townhouse that the Penthouse founder once decorated with neo-Classical female busts, Byzantine style fountains, and a Roman-inspired indoor pool (left!) was seized by creditors after his business empire went bust a few years back, and was purchased by hedge funder Phil Falcone and his wife Lisa Maria for $49 million in 2008. Now some big changes are on the way. Falcone's petition to dramatically renovate the home, demolish much of the interior, and scrap Guccione's treasured pool was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday, which means another vestige of NYC's filthy past will soon be history. A moment of silence, please! [Curbed, previously]
Each and every January, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association takes it upon themselves to usher a new starlet into the collective international consciousness by naming a scion of Hollywood royalty as Miss Golden Globe (or, in the case of Freddie Prinze Jr., Mr. Golden Globe). However, this honor comes with one big catch: The Foreign Press is glad to let these daughters of the revolution flaunt their bodies onstage and also to help steer drunken presenters toward the appropriate side of the stage from which they can comfortably find the nearest bar exit to talk to the press but, sadly, they aren't allowed to speak. It's pretty sad, actually, that the ceremony still abides by the old adage that these exquisite young things should be seen and not heard; we can't help but think there's a corollary between the HFPA not allowing Miss Golden Globe to speak and the general lack of acting success that plagues these supposedly prestigious honorees later in life.* However, that's the sort of feminist spin that the women over at Jezebel are better equipped to take on than us.
All that said, meet Mavis Spencer, your Miss Golden Globe for 2010! Time to get excited!
Spencer is the 18-year-old daughter of the Emmy winning (and 1984 Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee) Alfre Woodard. Apparently she's both an aspiring actress and equestrian show jumper who will be attending Columbia University next fall. Our hearty congratulations go out to Spencer, and we sincerely hope that she's able to avoid drunken hugs and tasteless "C'mon baby, let me see those Golden Globes" jokes that are no doubt doled out by some of Hollywood's drunker elder statesmen each and every year.
*There are only a handful of these actresses that we recognize: Linda Evans, Laura Dern, Anne Archer, Melanie Griffith, Joely Fisher, Rumer Willis, and, of course, Freddie Prinze Jr.!
Here She Is, the New Miss Golden Globes [Carpetbagger]
Read more posts by Mark Graham
Filed Under: future trophy wives, alfre woodard, golden globes, kudos, mavis spencer, miss golden globes
Tom Ford seems to be on a quest to place a story about his directorial debut, A Single Man, in every media outlet in the world. This week he's doing the talk-show circuit in our fair land. Last night he went on Jimmy Fallon and talked about the first commercial he appeared in as a youth. This morning he went on both Good Morning America and Martha Stewart Living, nary so much as a shadow or semblance of a bag under his eye, his suits perfectly pressed and cuff links perfectly polished, as always. We watched all three segments and picked out the best, most Forbuless parts.
First, on Jimmy Fallon, Tom remembered his days as a child actor. His first commercial was for a candy bar in which he had to proclaim, "It's still big!"
On Good Morning America, Diane Sawyer asked Tom if it was true that he told Colin Firth to hit the gym before filming began. Tom says he probably just told Colin he was fat to his face.
And lastly, Tom visited Martha Stewart, where he seemed out of place sitting in a pastel kitchen behind an island adorned with a perfectly arranged basket of apples, but quite at ease discussing DIY home decorating. Martha just loved what he did with his sets.
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: his forbulessness, designers, good morning america, jimmy fallon, martha stewart, tom ford, video
Jennifer 8. Lee Taking Times Buyout [NYO]
Read more posts by Chris Rovzar
Filed Under: ink-stained wretches, blog-stained wretches, you're free jenny run like the wind!
On the off chance there is still some money left in the world that they don't already have, Summit Entertainment announced today that Twilight Saga: Eclipse will hit Imax screens, in addition to regular ones, on June 30, allowing them to charge $5 more for tickets to behold Taylor Lautner's glorious abdominal muscles stretched across 70 feet. Then director David Slade will buy the moon. [Variety]
Read more posts by Lane Brown
Filed Under: vampires, imax, twilight, twilight saga: eclipse
Tavi, the 13-year-old fashion blogger and burgeoning celebrity, has appeared on magazine covers, sat front-row at New York Fashion Week, forged a friendship with the Rodarte designers, and appeared as the guest of honor at Rei Kawakubo's holiday party. But Harper's Bazaar hired her to do the thing that made her famous in the first place: write! For the January issue, she pens a column about the spring collections:
The idea of looking "effortless" is always in style, but designers re-invent the idea each season. So now they're having fun mixing prints, textures, and accessories (at Louis Vuitton especially), going all out and not thinking twice about it. The breezy coolness simply comes with having the confidence to slip into a shirt-and-skirt combo with naked ladies printed all over it (see Miu Miu) or a dress with holes carved out (Viktor & Rolf's literal take on "cutting back").
Bazaar executive editor Kristina O'Neill told WWD, "I knew that she had written some positive things about our September issue, and I e-mailed her after the show to see if she would be interested." She also pointed out that Tavi is the magazine's youngest contributor ever.
It would be easy for people like us to feel a little insulted by magazines hiring 13-year-olds to do the job of a serious fashion critic, a person with years of experience who has probably toiled for newspapers to print their words or even care about what they have to say, not to mention get a seat at fashion shows where they can actually see what's walking down the runway. But as Huffington Post's longtime contributing style editor Lesley M. M. Blume, also an author of children's books for girls Tavi's age, notes, the story will generate a ton of publicity, just like the magazine's December cover story on Twilight. "A lot of people are going to read this. Is this a smart marketing move? Of course," Blume said. Did she get the sense people were taking Tavi seriously? "I think she’s very dear, but I think it’s crazy. I think it was insulting enough when we were expected as adult women to take our fashion cues from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. All of a sudden women in the fashion world were starting to look like bag ladies. I mean, that’s very silly."
Blume doesn't think the industry's top buyers will take Tavi's fashion critiques seriously. "Are the creative directors of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman going to tailor their purchases according to [her tastes]? Probably not. But is Harper’s Bazaar going to sell a bunch of issues because of the novelty? Yes. Will she end up on morning shows? Yes she will," Blume said. "I don’t think she’s a fashion sage, I think she’s a novelty and I think she’s going to be used as a marketing device as a novelty."
Elle's Anne Slowey said Harper's Bazaar hiring Tavi "feels a bit gimmicky." Yet she finds her riveting. "I’m fascinated by anyone who’s willing to, like, rock personal style, and you’ve got to give her that, she’s got great style," Slowey said. She thinks there is a disconnect between Tavi's video about Rodarte's Target collection and her writing. "I’m sort of fascinated in the same way the world was with JT Leroy," Slowey explained. "You look at her video, and the writing doesn’t sync up with the way she talks about fashion. When I watched that video it smacked of this ethereal vagueness — this vacantlike quality where it was like everyone was on Vicodin. Like everyone was uncomfortably dumb except for me." She added, "I’m not trying to take anything away from her — her love of fashion, her love of style. She’s either a tween savant or she’s got a Tavi team."
Both Slowey and Blume raised concern about what effect all this attention could have on someone so young. "She will be a story for awhile and it will either die out, and she’ll fade away, or she’ll become a fashion editor," Blume said. "She might not be so sweet and precocious in a few years after being inundated with this kind of press. Worst-case scenario she ends up overwhelmed and fucked up, but no one can predict that." Blume thinks people feel protective of Tavi not necessarily because she's so young — youth is nothing new in fashion (Brooke Shields and her Calvins, anyone?) — but because she's "bookish." Look at young models: They may be taken advantage of all the time in this city, but we seldom hear those stories.
"People in fashion are constantly looking for the next unique boundary-pushing extreme thing to get excited about, but, you know, it’s like outsider art," Slowey said. "What am I getting out of a 13-year-old’s opinion about fashion? How does that help me distill the collections? What am I supposed to be buying? That’s what an editor’s job at a magazine is." She has no plans to commission a story from Tavi for Elle.
Related: The Video Rodarte Asked Tavi to Make About Their Target Collection Is Out
Japan Goes Mad for 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger Tavi
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: kids these days, anne slowy, elle, harpers bazaar, lesley m m blume, rei kawakubo, rodarte, tavi gevinson
The baby boy that just emerged from the womb of Gisele Bundchen isn't the only lucky little tot today. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and his girlfriend, globe-trotting fashion/art princess Dasha Zhukova, had a son in LA late last week. Welcome to the world, Aaron Alexander Abramovich. And remember to child-proof your missile defense system, Roman. [Fashionologie]
The Top Chef Las Vegas Season Finale is officially in the books. Below, the transcript of my Wednesday night liveblog, along with some additional pictures. Feel free to throw your finale reactions and Season thoughts in the comments. If you’ve got something to make fun of, do it now, cause it’s got to tide you over til Lost starts in February.
Onto the Liveblog, starting a half-hour before, because I overachieve like that:
9:30 - The Top Chef Season 6 Finale starts in a half-hour; keep it tuned here for a full BWE liveblog of the episode! You won’t have to wait until tomorrow to read my inane comments and really obvious after-the-fact predictions! Feel free to add your observations in the comments, and don’t forget to shift-refresh to make sure the new updates appear.
9:31 - Bravo continues to tease the episode as the “Top Chef Las Vegas Finale,” as I’ve done with this post, even though it’s in Napa Valley. Turns out, Vegas has so many cuhhreazzyyyyyzzyyy!!!!! twists and turns, the last two episodes aren’t even in it. (I realize the finale is always a separate location, but it’s kind of hard to top Vegas, no? Well, we’ll see. Grapes!)
9:35 - No one made a “stop wining” joke last episode, huh? Hopefully someone slips that in tonight, and spontaneously turns into a wacky high school science teacher who is also someone’s dad while his kid’s friends are over.
9:37 - In honor of the robotic brothers, one of our fine spambots has chosen to join us in the comments! Wonder which one she’s rooting for? Probably whichever brother is more interested in interracial singles. Do robots see race?
9:41 - I seriously haven’t watched a non-DVRed Top Chef episode this entire season, and I’m already growing impatient sitting through commercials. I have a new respect for people without DVRs. How do you do it?? You’re the real heroes.
9:44 - My viewing guide insists that Finale Part II only goes from 10-11, so no “11:08″ or “11:15″ soccer extra time. I guess with no Quickfire and only three dudes left, 60 should be more than enough.
9:54 - I forgot to mention, Gawker posted something today about People Magazine accidentally dropping a spoiler about tonight’s episode. I quickly closed it, but if anyone read it or knows what happens, please don’t say anything or I’ll… well… I’ll make a very angry Photoshop that involves Robin somehow.
9:55 - “It’s the diciest, highest-stakes Top Chef Finale yet!” Bravo promos still clinging to those Vegas puns even though they’re in Napa.
9:57 – Rewatching last week’s rerun, Padma’s “Jennifer…please pack your knives and go” was the most emotional / choked up she’s ever been. I guess cause it’s the first time this season she hasn’t been thinking “Let’s get this over with so Jen, Kevin and the brothers can just meet in the finale.” She only said that into the camera verbatim like, three or four times though.
10:00 - Aaaaand we’re off!
10:01 - Aaaand we have our first BLEEP, courtesy of Kevin. And another one five seconds later. The whole season’s been leading up to this.
After the jump, a Top Chef is crowned. With a chef crown. Hat. Not literally. Someone wins Top Chef, after the jump:
10:02 - The brothers are eating the “complete breakfasts” from the end of kids cereal commercials:
10:03 - Tom: “A three-course-meal, but we’re gonna change it up a little bit.” A two-course meal!
10:04 – Kevin isn’t very good at desserts? BLEEPing study them before you go on the show! Presidents and capitals before you go on Jeopardy, desserts before TC.
10:05 - Ahhhhh!!! Robin’s back!!!!! Also everyone.
10:06 - Box of ingredients and they have to use them all? Chopped much?? Is the Hispanic judge who tempers any remote compliment with two immediate faults gonna walk out soon?
10:09 - Kevin opens the door and it’s….OH NO WE HAVE TO WAIT AND FIND OUT!!!!! I assume it’s a stripper from Vegas they couldn’t cram into one of the challenges?
10:12 - Kevin ends up with Preeti, Bryan has Jen. I’m still sticking with Kevin as my prediction, although if the point of the ingredients thing is to level the playing field between the competitors, then why do the chefs end up with wildly differently-talented assistants?
10:13 - Wow, for the first time ever, the chefs are actually EXPECTING a twist? Only took six years for someone to ever remember past shows.
10:14 - MOMMMMMMMMMM TWIIIIIIIIIIIISTTTTTTTT!!!! No wonder the Brothers ended up in the finale, Bravo only had to spring for one mom-ticket. Or she’s there to intensify the brother rivalry. Would they really fly her out there to watch BOTH her kids lose? That’d really, really suck.
10:16 - Favorite childhood dish? Are all three gonna make, like, Domino’s?
10:17 - Awww, baby photos! It’s like the closing credits of a movie that involved babies that shows the cast members as babies while their names scroll by! Or did I accidentally flip over to a Manning vs. Manning NFL game?
10:19 - Bravo’s calling it the “Mystery Box”? Didn’t the chefs open it and see every ingredient in it, thus making it the literal opposite of a mystery?
10:21 - “I hunt not for sport, but to get more in tune with my ingredients.” – Bryan. The deer are thinking, “If you’re gonna kill me, at least have not the most pretentious-ass reason behind it.”
10:26 - Moms at the table! Are the judges gonna have to hold back a bit on their criticism? Or Toby Young to mom-up his movie references.
10:27 - Guest Judges = Every Chef Ever.
I judge the way I make love…slow, and fairly.
10:29 - Mike and Bryan taking a tag-team critique. Early doom for the brothers? Some redemption on the broccoli.
10:30 - They’re sending the moms away after one course?? As soon as the chefs come back, the judges are just gonna be like, “Alright seriously you f***ing motherf***ers…”
10:33 – Kevin’s been almost nothing but compliments so far; his rockfish dominated:
He should be like, “Rockfish is my jam for real!”
10:34 - Michael makes a comeback with his squab, but Bryan’s and Kevin’s third courses both receive mixed reviews.
10:35 – They are FLYING through these dishes. There’s almost 20 full minutes left, with no one to eliminate — could there possibly be one more twist coming?
10:36 - Bryan finishes strong with nothing but compliments on his dessert. At this point, it looks like a dead heat between Bryan and Kevin. I’m gonna count Michael out; one of the judges is gonna seal his fate with a classic “you didn’t leave us with a strong final impression, and we take that personally for some reason.”
10:37 - After the commercial, “One of you…will be TOP CHEF.” No way!!!!! I’m definitely gonna stay tuned! I thought all three of them were gonna be Top Chef, but this makes things far more exciting. There’s more twists in this thing than Chubby Checker’s discography if he also sang a bunch of songs about cinnamon twists!
10:40 - Sudden uber-confidence from Kevin in the DVR buster; he’s gonna have to defend his pork when he finds out the judges weren’t impressed with it, especially cause it’s his “jam.” Starting to think Bryan’s got the edge here.
10:43 - “Up In The Air is something wonderful to see at the movies”. They didn’t use Rolling Stone’s other quote, “Up In The Air consists of many frames per second that watched consecutively create the illusion of movement.”
10:45 – Yyyyep…Toby ripping on Kev for the pork belly, Tom agrees. Kevin is defensive (never a good sign).
10:46 - Michael a big-time comeback with the Toby “tomato bomb” comment! Can’t believe he resisted a Dr. Strangelove reference.
10:46 – Gail calls Michael’s dry cake “almost a great dessert.” Like last week, judge’s table comments are starting to sound strangely different than the initial table reactions.
10:47 – Michael cracks up the Judges and the crew with his comment, “I just don’t want Bryan to be Top Chef.” A total turnaround! Now he’s suddenly Mr. Charisma? Starting to like Michael’s chances a lot more now, and the judges seem to be suddenly unimpressed with even Kevin’s non-pork dishes.
10:49 – Michael’s prawns are assaulted once again, but it might not overshadow the rest of his meal; Toby is CLEARLY pulling for Michael. Tom appears not to like anyone.
10:50 - Gail rips Michael’s squab and says that Kevin is “capable of so much more,” which is usually a Finale kiss of death. Toby agrees Kevin had an off-night; despite a decent showing at the actual dinner table, Kevin is finished. They’re already preparing their patronizing “you’ll be fiiiiiine” comments.
10:52 - So what do we think? If I had to pick, I’d say Bryan takes it, but I’m only about 60/40 confident. Michael made out great at Judges’ table, but my only defense is, it seemed like the judges talked themselves into Michael’s more, particularly with Toby’s momentum, whereas Bryan was more complimented from the start. Although, Bryan’s dish got “meh”d while the judges were eating it last week and he ended up taking it at Judges’ Table, so who knows.
10:53 - Maybe both Voltaggios will win so Bravo can keep the brothers rivalry going next week.
10:55 - 55% of Bravo texters think Kevin should be Top Chef. Will that go back in time and sway the Judges’ decision? Probably.
10:56 - One final Voiceovered-in Padma mention of the Glad money. Sniff…I’m gonna miss that next week.
10:57 – Kevin’s out. Sorry, people who texted Bravo.
10:57 - Bryan can’t think of a “prouder moment” than making the final two with his brother… isn’t he married with a kid?
10:58 - It’s Michael!!! Took six seasons, but the A-hole finally went the distance!!
10:59 - Michael finally receives the gift of emotion. The final twist: This wasn’t a reality show season, it was a Bravo adaptation of the book “The Giver.”
Even Toby Young is a little choked up, like Kevin McCallister’s mother when they’re reunited in Home Alone. Also like…Shrek…when he’s happy, or something:
11:00 – All things considered, Michael was definitely the most technically gifted chef this season (much like Stefan a year ago), and the boldest risk-taker in the season (like Richard two years ago), but even though neither of those two won in the end, the combination of the two was just too much.
11:01 - I’m just now realizing that the Finale was tremendously unfunny. Three good chefs cooking well for a bunch of good judges? It’s like watching the last three weeks of American Idol, or any Idol after the auditions. Overall, it was a solid season talent-wise, but after the Las Vegas “twisty twist high stakes zany crazy casino!” atmosphere, where can they possibly go for Season Seven??
There’s only one answer: Top Chef Dubai. Think about it. I started that as a joke, but decided shortly after typing the “D” it’s actually an amazing idea. Any Bravo producers reading this? All of you? Sweet. Make it happen.
Finale thoughts? Michael winning reactions? Season 6 thoughts in general? Leave ‘em all in the comments!
We're not trying to promote mass hysteria, but bottom line: It's flu season. Fortunately, hand sanitizers are being installed in various office buildings (ours being one of them). Of course they're not available in the subways, where most of us feel contaminated after touching that grimy pole. Here, six germ fighters to help fend off winter colds.
Read more posts by Aja Mangum
Filed Under: germs are for losers, beauty, hand sanitizers, slideshow
Just a heads up: I’ll be making an appearance on beloved MTV chat show “It’s On with Alexa Chung” tomorrow at 3:30 PM (@itsonalexa), where Alexa herself will proctor a hellacious round of “Never Have I Ever” between me and Tara Reid. Tara Reid. Never Have I Ever with Tara Reid. I don’t even remember the rules to the game, but will guarantee that one of us will black out during the game’s 5 minute span.
So fair warning: Watch it. Because as the internet is wont to say, once it has been seen, it cannot be unseen.
During last night’s two-hour finale of The Biggest Loser, amid the traditional dramatic before-and-after photos and triumphant success stories (she used to stuff her face with Doritos, now she runs marathons!), the tear-craving producers stuck in a bonus moment of uplift. Contestant Shay was called down from the ranks to center stage: Formerly 476 pounds (the show’s biggest contestant ever), she didn’t win the $250,000 prize; at a weight loss of 172 pounds, she didn’t even come close. (The winner was Danny Cahill, who went from 430 to 191 pounds, losing 239 pounds and any resemblance to his former self.) Without the further help of the show's trainers and nutritionist, common sense decreed that Shay ever meeting her weight-loss goal of an additional 100 pounds was unlikely at best. But wait! Host Alison Sweeney then announced that for every pound Shay lost between now and next season’s finale in May, she would get $1,000 from Subway. Giant blank check! Hugs! Tears! Happy ending!
But after our fuzzy flush ended, we were left with a funny aftertaste. A recent New York Times story outlined not only the health risks Biggest Loser contestants face by losing weight so quickly, but also the high probability of their gaining back much of what they’ve lost. Paying Shay to lose more weight seems like it will only increase the odds of her eating her way back to square one. Once you’ve been paid to do something, how likely are you to then keep on doing it for free? A thousand bucks per pound is nearly as powerful an incentive for weight loss as the pressure of stepping on a scale on live TV in tight clothes. And both are temporary. We don’t begrudge Shay the money (she's a social worker with a down-and-out backstory), but the prize just delays the reality — often glossed over in hyper-motivational Biggest Loser land — that losing weight without public scrutiny or a payday is really, really hard, and not at all fun. Once the cameras are turned off, the professional trainers disappear, and the prize money is gone, how easy will it be for someone like Shay to maintain the drive to keep going to the gym, every single day? Thanks, Biggest Loser finale, for reminding us of that. And now we’re going to go eat some Doritos. At least until someone pays us to stop.
Read more posts by Emma Rosenblum
Filed Under: tv, reality tv, shay, the biggest loser
So this is the best thing I’ve ever seen since someone invented f-me heels for infants. SandraRose.com brings us these glorious photos of an adorable little newborn lady wearing a custom made tiny lacefront weave. A baby weave!! Oh this is easily the greatest thing to happen to babies since fleece Native American costumes. Look how beautiful she looks! Like a grown up lady, but unknowing, and little. My God, if all babies looked like this, I might, you know, want to, like, have one. I could braid her hair, she could vomit in mine, it would be soooer random.
I believe commenter at the source kcicero said it best: “There is a reason God allowed this to happen the way that it did and that is all I will say.” That will now be my motto for, let’s see, everything. I’m agnostic, but still. In other news, where does a genius go to buy one of these weaves? Nowhere, you say? Interesting.
More photos below.
Here’s the new UK poster for Tron Legacy, which comes out in December 2010, if Obama hasn’t reformed movies with Socialism by then!!!!!1!
I sure as balls hope the game has changed since the original — special effects in movies aren’t all light blue and fake-looking anymore. Now they’re regular colors and fake-looking.
Between the resurgent Tron and Avatar this year, we appear to be entering a new “Weird Light Blue Stuff” era of filmmaking. I might finally be able to sell the script I wrote in 1993 about my San Jose Sharks Starter Jacket!
This is probably the only time we've been tempted to refer to a same-sex union as the nadir of civilization. [E!]
Read more posts by Chris Rovzar
Filed Under: hellivision, casey johnson, marriages, skank fortnight, tila tequila
Our heart leaped when we read this morning's news that former Lehman Brothers CEO Richard Fuld's new firm, Matrix Advisors, was pulling together a fund to funnel private-equity money to small businesses seen as "growth companies." Finally! we thought. This could be our chance to fund our long-dreamed-of specialty business, Nuts About Coconuts! Intending to send Fuld a detailed business plan explaining the array of products NAC would provide (everything from coconut cream pie to rope to jaunty hats — do you know literally every part of the coconut is useful?), we made a call to the first Matrix Asset Advisors that came up in Google, at 747 Third Avenue. "Oh, Richard Fuld," groaned the receptionist. "Every time he's in the news we get calls. I don't know who he is or what he did, but I just say, 'You've got the wrong number,' and send them on their way."
As it turns out, there are at least nine Matrix Advisors, half of which are in New York City.
It's a very common name.
"I used to get Matrix Asset Advisors mail," said Chris Anci, the founder of the Matrix Capital Group, a financial advisory firm in Grand Central. "There's a mortgage company in Virginia that did something shady, I got a lot of calls about that. I got Matrix shampoo. I got a guy who complained about the Matrix shampoo. The delivery guy is like, did you make the movie?"
"Everyone's like, 'Why'd you pick that name?' I dunno. I did it like fifteen years ago. It's become really common. If you pick a name that is like, the Guard Dogs of Hell, you don't have a problem. Except for if you try to buy Chrysler, hahahaha."
Others did not find it that funny. "There are multiple Matrices," one investment manager, who did not want to be named, whispered darkly on the phone. He characterized the feeling among them like so: "Some think the name is just an inconvenience. Some are looking to do business with him. Some people are very angry." He indicated his firm might be taking legal action.
Going deeper into these matrices, we realized, was not doing us any good. Anyway, what if he had incorporated elsewhere, like Connecticut, or the Bahamas? We turned back to Google, where eventually we found an address in a Wall Street Journal article from this summer. It's 780 Third Avenue in New York City, if you want to send Fuld your business plan, a stripper in a U.S. Marshals uniform, or a bag of flaming poo. Just stay away from the coconuts. It was our idea first.
Read more posts by Jessica Pressler
Filed Under: the gorilla,
Esther Canadas showed off some skin at the 125th-anniversary party for Bulgari at Christie's last night.
Do you like dresses that are short in front and long in back?
Read more posts by Amina Akhtar
Filed Under: look of the day, esther canadas
Incredible news! R&B trailblazer, filmmaker, and yodeler R. Kelly will take a short break from composing the remaining 900 chapters of Trapped in the Closet to write his memoirs! The book — in which he'll address the loss of his mother, his hit-making, and his six-year legal battle against child-pornography charges — is due out in early 2011 via Tavis Smiley's imprint, Smiley Books (recent publisher of other scholars such as Cornel West and Henry Louis Gates Jr.). "I'm writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly," Kellz says in a press release today. "I'm tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama." (His co-writer, David Ritz, will presumably do the same.) Publishing is saved!
R. Kelly to Release Memoir With SmileyBooks [PR Newswire]
Read more posts by Lane Brown
Filed Under: r. kelly, books, memoirs, music
In the world of celebrities, socialites, and reality stars, relationships are more often "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" than "long-term." That's to be expected, of course. Think of all the temptations when countless other beautiful people are around! To size up the potential of a handful of newer and more high-profile couples on the New York City scene, we turned to Patti Wood, the "Babe Ruth of body language experts" who has evaluated unspoken signals for hundreds of media outlets over the years. Join us below as Wood breaks down which twosomes are destined for eternal bliss—and which are bound for a break-up.
Background: Real estate heiress, jewelry designer and Celebrity Apprentice co-host Ivanka started dating real estate scion and New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner more than two years ago. They were married on October 25th.
The verdict: "Her whole body is facing toward Jared, which means she's all about him. Most women do not pose this way. She doesn't care that people are taking photos; she is clearly proud to be next to him. Her left hand is up, showing she wants to touch him in a loving way, and her shoulders are up in a half-hug, suggesting she just wants to be closer to him. Her broad, relaxed smile also says that she's at ease with him. As for Jared, his pelvis is angled slightly toward her, and he has his arm around her in a protective manner, but not a controlling one. All of their body language signals show that they have a good sexual relationship and care for each other very deeply. It looks as if they'll have a long future together."
Tinsley Mortimer & Prince Casimir Sayn Wittgenstein Sayn
Background: It's unclear when the Tinz and "Cassi" first got together, but they were pictured together back in July when they attended the Cartier International Polo match. (Things went south with her ex-husband Topper when they separated in January of last year.) While Tinsley has been seen out with former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis recently, Cassi appears to still be in the picture for the time being.
The verdict: "The first thing I noticed about this photo is that this guy has a strong ego, which is indicated by his foot jutted out in front of him as if he's trying to emphasize he's his own man. She's awkwardly positioned, showing that she's off-balance in the relationship. She's got her legs pulled and shoulders pulled back but her pelvis is forward, like she can't make up her mind if she wants to be with him or not. Her outside arm is down, not reaching toward him, which is odd for a truly solid couple. There's tension in her face, meaning she's uncomfortable, and all of her body cues suggest she doesn't feel balanced, safe or secure with him. It doesn't bode well... at all."
Topper Mortimer & Valerie Boster
Background: Topper Mortimer, Tinsley's estranged husband, reportedly first got together with Vogue editor Valerie Boster during fashion week in September. She recently threw him a birthday party at one of his favorite hangouts on the Upper East Side, preppy palace Dorrian's.
The verdict: "Here, he's doing something called 'overlapping,' where he's positioning his body around and behind her, and his chest is leaned in toward her. This means he is comfortable and at ease with her, but he's not enveloping her so tightly that he feels he needs to control her. Valerie's a little more conflicted: She's planted in her own seat but she is only leaning her upper body toward him, as if she is hesitant to give up too much and wants to remain independent. Her crossed arms indicate she wants to protect their relationship from the public eye. I'd like to see them a little more affectionate with one another, and while this doesn't appear to be a sexually-charged relationship, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't last."
Kate Hudson & Alex Rodriguez
Background: The actress and the New York Yankees third baseman first got together back in May, after she allegedly ended her relationship with Owen Wilson and A-Rod and Madonna split up.
The verdict: "This couple screams 'passion.' She's pressing into him with her pelvis, which says she really digs him sexually. She's even got her hand on his rear end, and her whole body is arched into him. Likewise, Alex has his pelvis and stomach forward, but he's holding back a bit, which you can see through his restraint with his elbows. He's definitely the alpha in this relationship and seems preoccupied by people watching them. Overall, it's clear she'd do whatever he wants. If the sex continues to be good, she's going to do her best to make it work. I'd like to see a little more tenderness in the relationship, though."
Bethenny Frankel & Jason Hoppy
Background: The Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy got engaged on October 8th after dating for 11 months. She announced she was two months pregnant in mid-October.
The verdict: "The fact that she's sitting on his lap suggests two things: 1) she depends on him, and 2) they have a good sexual relationship. Her arm is very relaxed around him—she's not clinging on for dear life—and she has a relaxed smile, indicating she trusts him absolutely. The intimate gesture of their heads touching means they are balanced and like-minded. His arms are relaxed around her in a protective, loving way, and his joyous, open smile shows he could not be more enamored with her. This is a very solid couple."
Olivia Palermo & Johannes Huebl
Background: The socialite and star of The City started dating German model Johannes Huebl in the spring of 2008.
The verdict: "What I like here is that her feet and body are angled toward him, and his body is shifted subtly toward her. Body and foot positioning says a lot about a couple's connectedness—and in this case, they have a strong connection and bond. Their hands are intertwined, indicating they feel at ease with one another and are protective of each other. Their relationship is one where each goes for comfort and strength. Given this pose, it's likely that they have a soulful, private relationship, but also a bond that is sweet and dependable. It looks to me as if they have a future."
Emmy Rossum & Adam Duritz
Background: Actress Emmy Rossum went public with Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz in late September, immediately after her super-secret music executive husband, Justin Siegel, filed for divorce. It remains a mystery how Duritz, who's dated Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston in the past, manages to reel in ladies who are infinitely better looking than he is.
The verdict: "He's definitely claiming her as his 'woman' in this photo in a controlling way. He's gripping her arm so she can't move, and it's actually sort of disturbing. His gestures say, 'She's mine; isn't she gorgeous?' Emmy, on the other hand, may have the side of one hip toward Adam, but the rest of her body is pulled away, meaning that she's definitely not entirely at happy with him. It's also interesting how she's holding her purse. When couples are really into each other, the woman automatically moves her purse to the hand furthest from her companion. Here, her purse is a physical barrier, which also translates to an emotional barrier. There's also tightness around her mouth, which suggests some conflict with these two. I wouldn't expect them to last long at all."
More info on Patti Wood can be found on her website, pattiwood.net.
-- Molly Fahner
Here’s the blooper reel from the Lost Season 5 DVD. It’s funny, but also shatters the illusion that Lost is a documentary in real-time and all the people involved actually have been on a magic island for the past five years, which I believed before seeing this (and still kind of do).
Hopefully Doc Jensen can explain the ancient Syrian farmers’ myth that inspired Locke’s proctologist prank on Ben:
Tobi Rubinstein Schneier interviewed designer Douglas Hannant at her House of Faith & Fashion discussion at the Plaza's Caudalie Spa earlier this week. Hannant was not so enthusiastic about the First Lady's wardrobe. "Everyone compares her to Jackie O — she is not the next Jackie O," he said. "There were some gasps in the room," an attendee told "Page Six." Michelle Obama doesn't wear Hannant's pieces, and the boutique her unofficial stylist, Ikram Goldman, runs in Chicago doesn't carry them. We put in a call to Hannant's office to find out what exactly he meant by this comparison, but haven't heard back. [Page Six/NYP]
Update: A spokesman for Hannant just e-mailed us his response:
I did say 'Michelle Obama is not another Jackie Kennedy and I do not consider to be a style icon." But in addition, I also said " she has so much more to her and has mass appeal. I admire her as a role model and think she will achieve great things in her position as First Lady"
... And by the way, I voted for Obama.
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: mobama watch, designers, douglas hannant, michelle obama
We're just as shocked as you that Jann Wenner didn't demand that Mick Jagger's Goddess in the Doorway, which RS famously and hilariously gave a five-star review, find its way onto this list. For what it's worth, their album of the decade is Radiohead's Kid A. [RS]
Read more posts by Mark Graham
Filed Under: the naughties, kid a, mick jagger, radiohead
This has got to be the grossest trend we've followed yet, but someone with the same "gasmaster" predilections as that gay who is roaming around Manhattan just posted a "Missed Connection" on Craigslist for Danbury, Connecticut: "You were the tall brunette with the near perfect body that farted in the bread section last night. I was the tall guy next to you that looked over and asked, 'Was that you?' You quickly replied 'No ... Wasn't me!' You almost seemed insulted I would ask ... You are beautiful and even if you are a liar and fart like a Clydesdale, I'd love to meet up sometime." [Craigslist]
Read more posts by Chris Rovzar
Filed Under: this is probably fake, craigslist, gasmaster, gays, gross things, honestly we don't even know how to tag this story in a way that won't get us in trouble, please tell us this isn't real, straights
A Palestinian grocer labeled as a "terrorist group leader" in the movie "Bruno" has filed a $110 milllion lawsuit, saying the film ruined his life.
MAKEUP
• Iran's state television is banning makeup for women. Top manager Ezzatollah Zarghami reported that many female presenters are wearing makeup to purposely be taken off the air. The broadcaster will also ban "abnormal" music and unruly children.
[WP]
• Lancôme is rolling out a vibrating foundation, following in the success of last year's Ôscillation mascara. The Ôscillation Powderfoundation's applicator vibrates at 7,000 times a minute, which is supposed to make the mineral powder go on more smoothly and soften skin over time. And it's surprisingly less messy than most powder foundations. [BellaSugar]
• Le Métier de Beauté's new anti-aging serum, Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe, completely sold out in one day at Bergdorf Goodman. The product uses a new technology that delivers retinol twenty times more efficiently than other products yet also reduces irritation. We'd like some of the next batch, please. [StyleList]
• Adam Lambert appears in the latest issue of People without his trademark heavy eyeliner and foundation. Take a tip from Jenny Humphrey and tone down the raccoon eyes, Adam. [Spoiled Pretty]
HAIR
• Scientists at L'Oréal have discovered a substance that can take the strong smell out of hair dye. Monoethanolamine, or MEA, is currently used in ammonia-free dyes to darken hair, but L'Oréal was able to strengthen the substance to be able to use in lighter and gray-covering dyes. The new formula should be in salons in early 2010 and hit drugstore shelves sometime after. [BellaSugar]
• The hair bow may be making a comeback, as Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole, and, of course, Lady Gaga have all recently spotted the look. Would you try it at home? [Grazia UK]
SKIN
• Turns out the best treatment for younger-looking skin is … sleep! Tell that to our insomnia. [HuffPo]
Read more posts by Alexandra Martell
Filed Under: beauty marks, adam lambert, beauty, cheryl cole, hair, iran, l'oreal, lady gaga, lancome, makeup, skin, victoria beckham
Bobby Bottleservice might look familiar, because he is actually comedian and great guy Nick Kroll. Bobby Bottleservice might also twinge your memory folds if you watched last week’s uber-brillz premiere of Jersey Shore, a show which caused us to wrap our televisions in latex just to be on the safe side. Sadly, from the looks of it, Bobby Bottleservice is way too intelligent and well dressed to ever actually get picked for Jersey Shore 2, which we can almost guarantee will be happening. Though, to his benefit, he would definitely punch Snookie in the face. Only time will tell on this one.
Language NSFW…
When Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme was exposed last December, most people were horrified by the massive fraud. Other people, however, took a little bit of inspiration from Madoff's exploits.
Genadi Yagodayev, a Queens man who started up a Ponzi scheme of his own a mere 11 days after Madoff was busted, managed to rake in $11 million during 2009 by promising investors annual returns of 21 percent. That's about five percent better than anything Bernie was offering. Unfortunately for Yagodayev, though, he didn't have Madoff's staying power. The SEC filed fraud charges against Yagodayev yesterday and a federal judge has since ordered that his assets be frozen.
Queens Ponzi flourished as Madoff imploded [Crain's]
Yesterday, a tiny shot of Lara Stone's Louis Vuitton campaign leaked when the house finally officially confirmed she is the spring face of the label. Today we have large images of the ads, and can confirm she isn't lying in the grass covered in dirt, as we suspected, but lying in shadows. For a better look at the campaign and shots of Lara getting her hair and makeup done on the shoot, see the slideshow. Do you miss Madonna?
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: campaign trail, advertising, lara stone, louis vuitton, models, slideshow
Last week at this time, nutty Johnson & Johnson heiress Casey Johnson was sitting behind bars, having been arrested for stealing jewelry, clothing, shoes, and underwear from a former model named Jasmine Lennard. (She was also accused of leaving behind a wet towel and used vibrator as her "calling card," but that's another story.)
Johnson has since been released on bail and has denied the charges against her. (She's also retained Robert Shapiro as her defense attorney as well as consulted a "crisis manager.") And now she's ready to move on with her life!
Today she and girlfriend/reality TV star/fame addict Tila Tequila announced they're engaged to be married. The only catch is that Tequila says Johnson proposed to her with a 17-carat diamond ring (just like Mariah!), which means a jewelry story is probably filing a police report at this very moment. Does California allow gay marriages to be performed in state prisons? Let's hope so!
Tila Tequila Taking Shot at Marriage With Band-Aid Babe [E!]
AP - Forget the animal-unfriendly fur coat and the painted-on pants made from polluting petroleum-based products. A runway show in Copenhagen on Wednesday aimed to show that "green styles" — some of them stitched in fabrics made from recycled agricultural or industrial waste — can be just as fashionable.
Michelle Obama made a splash earlier this year when she spoke at a food bank wearing $540 purple-and-gray Lanvin sneakers. Selectism has a look at the complete spring line of Lanvin high-tops, which come in pink, purple, plaid, and other hues. [Selectism]
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: sneakerheads, designers, lanvin, michelle obama, sneakers
On ESPN last night, the Sportscenter intro included the tease:
“New developments in the Tiger Woods case! See what happened that brought ambulances to his house!”
The show then opened with this story about Tiger Woods’ mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg being taken to the hospital, with ESPN playing the entire 9-1-1 call and repeatedly showing grainy helicopter surveillance footage of the mother-in-law being loaded into an ambulance.
I understand that anything Tiger Woods is going to be news this week (or any week), and that ESPN felt obligated to pass along any breaking information from his house during their round-the-clock coverage, but that being said: IT’S NOT PART OF THE F***ING TIGER WOODS SCANDAL.
You can’t just lump Barbro Holmberg’s stomach pains in with Tiger Woods banging cocktail lounge waitresses just because this week is this week. ESPN deliberately teased the story as though another mistress had come forward or there was a legal development or another juicy sex detail leaked about sexy sex penis. I guess as long as you’re paying eighty reporters strategically positioned around the Woods premises 24/7, might as well put ‘em to work?
That’d be like ESPN reporting, “Andre Agassi just admitted to doing crystal meth, but wait’ll you see what happened at his home today!” followed by a story about his daughter scraping her knee, complete with digitally enhanced blimp footage of Steffi Graf applying Neosporin to a bandage.
If Holmberg comes forward and shockingly admits she’s one of Tiger’s mistresses, and her chest pains were caused by sex with Tiger, then yes, by all means ESPN, cover the crap out of that; I know it’s what you were secretly hoping would come out in the ten seconds between teasing the story as a “new Tiger scandal development” and the report trying to make it seem like a new Tiger scandal development. But until that happens, could we toss the audio of 9-1-1 calls aside and just stick to speculative Grand Theft Auto simulations? Much appreciated.
Korean brand Kaylee Tankus began under the helm of Kay Lee in 2004, catering to a modern woman who appreciated avant-garde design but wanted easy-to-wear contemporary pieces. After almost four years, Lee took a step back to focus on other pursuits, and the line was in need of a new creative director for both its domestic and international collections. So the label signed on Obzee's Ryanghee Kim to design the domestic line, but still needed someone with more global experience. In stepped Minjee Kim, a Korean native who honed her skills in New York City. Minjee moved to New York with the intention of being an architect, but wound up as a founding member and creative director for Hanii Y.
After having a baby and returning to Seoul she was handpicked for her experience in creating sleek and girly (but never frilly) womenswear. Minjee refers to her architectural background, noting the works of Gaudí and Zaha Hadid as favorites, and has love for futuristic design with a strong viewpoint, citing designers such as Rick Owens and Sharon Wauchob as influences. Working in tandem with Ryanghee, Minjee draws upon these influences to create pieces made with natural fabrics like linen, silk, and unbleached cotton. Dresses and blouses are relaxed and flowing, meant to flatter the figure without being constricting. “[My customer] is not afraid of expressing herself, trying intriguing and experimental styles. She is confident with her own sense of style, yet never overdone," explains Minjee. Notable fans include Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal. With prices ranging from $100 for jersey tops to $250 for dresses and topping out at $600 for leather jackets, retailers such as Big Drop, Oak, and Revolve Clothing have snapped up the line. Click ahead to check out what’s in store for spring.
Read more posts by Diana Tsui
Filed Under: talent scout, designers, kaylee tankus, slideshow
Great news!! International Supermodel Gisele (hee-zell-ee) Bundchen (boonddd-tchen) and New England Patriots Quarterback Tom (tom) Brady (brady) have welcomed a brand new baby into the world!
Ahead, we have an exclusive first photo of this adorable bundle of joy! Click ahead to check out the world’s first photo of Gisele and Tom’s baby…
Sorry!! Sorry, we meant to post a picture of this Precious Moments figurine!
Now that that’s cleared up. Aww. Congrats to the happy couple.
Speaking of which, we plan on seeing Precious sometime soon and livetweeting from the back of the theater and then, eventually, from our therapists office. Til then, we remain, humbly, bloggers.
Reebok recently came out with the EasyTone walking shoe, which promises to tone leg and butt muscles just by walking. You know the commercials, where they zoom in on a woman's butt and say "make your boobs jealous," which is not only annoying but doesn't even really make sense? The Times reports that the shoes are Reebok's top-selling new product of the last five years. Of course, people will pounce on anything that promises to blast fat or tone muscles without breaking a sweat. In fact, Reebok cautions against doing any activity in the shoes other than walking. But do the shoes actually work? Former NASA engineer Bill McInnis, now Reebok's head of advanced innovation, says the shoe comes with an air pocket that pushes air between toe and heel to make it feel as though you're walking on sand, which engages more muscles than walking on a plain surface.
Reebok is financing studies in an attempt to prove the shoes lead to a more toned physique. “They definitely feel something in their muscles after they’ve walked in the product,” Mr. McInnis said.
One of them is Carol Vanner, 51, an executive assistant in Atlanta who had tried the larger-soled FitFlop shoe and was skeptical she would notice much difference with the EasyTone.
“I thought there was no way they would work, but I tried them and I felt like I had worked out,” she said. “Do I look like I’m 20? No, but I feel like when I wear them for periods of time that I have exercised and worked those muscles.”
Shay Gipson, 31, an apparel product manager in New York City, also heralds the shoes:
“I can definitely feel the muscle groups in my legs working more than I would in regular shoes,” she said. “I feel more toned.”
But just because they feel more toned doesn't mean they look more toned. In July 2008, Canadian researchers found that moderate instability, like the effect created by the EasyTones, had little effect on the muscles of practiced exercisers. Experts who aren't employed by Reebok say the greatest effect of the shoe may be that it encourages people to walk more and with a steelier purpose.
“I think buying them with this in mind is likely to increase mindfulness, which is good for health,” said Ellen J. Langer, a Harvard psychologist who has studied the connections between mindfulness, exercise and health. “It will probably result in even more walking, with the implicit and explicit virtues endemic to exercise.”
So you may as well stick to your regular sneakers. Or better yet, go to the gym and do something more challenging than half-assed Pilates.
Firm Body, No Workout Required? [NYT]
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: dreams don't always come shoe, body issues, easytone, reebok, shoes
Key items from the screen star's wardrobe went up for auction Thursday
There’s a distinct category of things that I rarely mention on this blog because their consistent greatness is so generally accepted, it’s a waste of time to even bother recommending them or reminding people they exist — The Daily Show, Colbert, The Onion and the Onion News Network, 30 Rock, A Dog Named Christmas — and if there are actually any people out there reading BWE.tv constantly but who don’t know what The Daily Show is, then, well, I’m flattered, but you’re also an idiot.
Paul F. Tompkins belongs in this category. When he comes to your city to do standup, you should go see him. If you live in Los Angeles, you should go see him often. And whenever he releases a new standup cd, as he did this past week (only his second such album), you should buy it.
Freakwharf — available at Amazon and iTunes — is, like Tompkins’ first album Impersonal, essentially a 50+ minute greatest hits pulled from Tompkins’ many years worth of A-material mixed with substantial wiggle room for crowd interaction and improvisation. Like the previous cd, every one of Tompkins’ bits is likely to elicit either an immediate “Yes! I’ve always thought that” recognition (albeit without the audience-pandering aspect too often associated with the lame-sounding “observational humor” stigma), or a response of “Why should I care about this?” inevitably followed, five minutes later, with “I was stupid for wondering how that would become funny.”
Tompkins’ jokes-per-setup ratio is unreal, the material is amazingly accessible and free of alt-comedy “I have to do this weird thing!” self-awareness, and really, how many comedy albums are you gonna shell out for in a given year? Five hundred, tops? You probably make more than $5000 a year.
Also, not sure if it’s still necessary to point out, but for the record, this endorsement has nothing to do with Tompkins’ BWE involvement; like I’ve said countless times before, Vh1 never tells us what to write about, nor are they aware that we exist and are still getting paid by them (not to blow our cover, but Michelle and I skim from the padded, unmonitored Viacom “Applied Sciences” budget). Also we’re both super heroes. So, trust me on this one.
Stamos' spokesman said there was nothing embarrassing about the images.
Not too much to add to this video other than that 1. It is extremely funny and well done and 2. We would pay TOP DOLLAR to see a Turtleneck Fight. Also, if you’re a compulsive infomercial shopper, your fingers will be twitching with dialticipation by the end. (Thanks to @KelliZink for the tip!)
Who are you, mysterious mustachioed B-Roll salesman?
Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Orlando Bloom are among several young celebrities whose homes have been burglarized in recent months.
The child is Brady's second. He also has a 2-year-old son, Jack, with actress Bridget Moynahan.
AP - "Life is a dance, so dance beautifully."
AP - A funny thing has happened to Noel Coward's "Still Life," a one-act play that is much better known from its classic 1940s screen adaptation "Brief Encounter."
Nordegren’s family is hoping the high-profile couple will somehow work through the scandal.
AP - Various Artists, "Light: On The South Side" (The Numero Group)
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