Larocca: McQueen’s Collection Combines Modernity and History

You could be forgiven for thinking, even from the front row of a very small room, that the designs on the fabrics at the Alexander McQueen show were prints. It is only afterward, upon closer examination, that the patterns reveal themselves as intricate weavings, a level of workmanship rarely seen outside of haute couture. The small McQueen collection, which the designer had nearly finished at the time of his death last month, was shown to just a dozen people at a time in a salon in Paris over the past two days. The work was exquisite: a fitted, high-collared coat made of hand-painted gold feathers, a short dress fashioned from a single bolt of wrapped and folded fabric, obliterating the need for even a single seam.

Inspiration came from Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and other fifteenth-century religious art. There were angels everywhere: amid hand-carved, tangled ivy on the heels of elaborately high shoes, and in the prints of floor-length dresses which were big in volume, but seemingly as light as air. And there were wings: printed on backs, but also implied by carefully folded satin floating above the shoulders. Every single piece in the collection was cut by McQueen himself, anything that remained unfinished was polished off by his red-eyed design team.

The small collection served as an emotional reminder of what, exactly, the world will now miss. McQueen combined modernity — new software enabled him to create designs digitally that could then be realized on an old-fashioned loom — history, and technique (all volume was created by draping, bulleting, and hand-mounting onto organza) to create something entirely unique.

View the final Alexander McQueen collection.

Read more posts by Amy Larocca

Filed Under: reviews, alexander mcqueen, designers, fall 2010, paris fashion week

Audience divided over Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies - Times Online

The Guardian

Audience divided over Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies Times Online In the pipeline for 20 years, The Phantom of the Opera sequel was always going to spark heated debate and divide the critics, but when it premiered last night Love Never Dies managed to polarise the audience too. As press reviews veered between ... Love Never Dies: the reviews reviewedThe Guardian Critics mixed on Lloyd Webber's 'Love Never Dies'The Associated Press Love Never Dies, review of reviewsTelegraph.co.uk Daily Mail -CBS News -Los Angeles Times all 831 news articles »

Corey Haim Dead After Apparent Accidental Drug Overdose - ABC News

Globe and Mail

Corey Haim Dead After Apparent Accidental Drug Overdose ABC News Actor Corey Haim attends the 3rd Annual Avant Garde Fashion Event and "Shark City" After Party presented by Roberto Cavalli Vodka at Boulevard Three on March 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. ... Lost Boys actor Corey Haim dies aged 38BBC News Corey Haim found dead of overdoseEntertainment Weekly Corey Haim Found DeadMTV.com USA Today -Rolling Stone -The Star-Ledger - NJ.com all 621 news articles »

The Long-Running John Roberts–Barack Obama Feud Continues

During a talk at the University of Alabama yesterday, Chief Justice John Roberts went ballistic, relatively, over President Obama's State of the Union speech, in which the president condemned the Supreme Court's recent ruling on corporate political spending. Roberts said he was fine with anyone criticizing the court, but:

"On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum. The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court — according the requirements of protocol — has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling."

Roberts also added that he wasn't sure why justices are still attending a speech that has "denigrated into a political pep rally." Granted, it's not exactly an epic smackdown, but it's still more aggressive than Samuel Alito silently mouthing "not true" to himself. For a Supreme Court justice, calling something "troubling" is like normal people calling it "total bullshit." And White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs wasn't going to let it slide, which is why he released this somewhat milquetoast rebuttal:

"What is troubling is that this decision opened the floodgates for corporations and special interests to pour money into elections — drowning out the voices of average Americans," Gibbs said. "The President has long been committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests and their lobbyists over government. That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response."

What's important to remember is that this feud goes back years. When President Obama was a senator, he voted against the confirmation of John Roberts because, he said, Roberts "far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak." Later, Roberts "accidentally" screwed up the most important, memorable moment of Obama's life by flubbing the Oath of Office. Obama had his revenge at the State of the Union, and now Roberts is publicly questioning Obama's grasp of decorum. With each man now plotting the next way he can undermine the other, this is a constitutional crisis waiting to happen.

Gibbs Fires Back At Chief Justice Roberts Over Obama Criticism [HuffPo]
John Roberts: Scene At Obama's State Of Union Was 'Very Troubling' [HuffPo]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: the supremes, barack obama, john roberts, not true, politics, robert gibbs, state of the union

How to Write a Romantic Comedy in Ten Shamefully Easy Steps

You, too, can ride the cash cow of repetitive clichés. A handy guide to rom-com inanity.
[Uproxx]

Read more posts by Edith Zimmerman

Filed Under: movies, clickables, rom com cliches, romantic comedy

Author reveals the unwritten rules of baseball (AP)

AP - "The Baseball Codes: Beanballs, Sign Stealing, and Bench-Clearing Brawls: The Unwritten Rules of America's Pastime" (Pantheon Books, 304 pages, $25), by Jason Turbow with Michael Duca: Major League Baseball is a complex, intricate game with a thick rule book that covers everything from balks and bunts to force plays and foul tips.

Real Housewife Testing to See If Andy Cohen Has Granted Her the Gift of Flight Yet [Open Caption]

Real Housewife Testing to See If Andy Cohen Has Granted Her the Gift of Flight Yet [Open Caption]

LISTEN: 7-Year-Old Thwarts Armed Burglars with Call to 911 - Los Angeles Times

WWLP 22News

LISTEN: 7-Year-Old Thwarts Armed Burglars with Call to 911 Los Angeles Times NORWALK -- Authorities in Norwalk are looking for three suspects wanted in a brazen home invasion robbery thwarted by a brave 7-year-old boy. Three suspects armed with handguns entered the home through an unlocked front door Tuesday morning and said ... Boy, 7, rescues family from home invadersmsnbc.com 7-year-old calls 911, saves family from attackThe Associated Press "Bring Cops... Lots of Them."NBC Los Angeles phillyBurbs.com -CBS 2 -Wonderwall all 333 news articles »

Film Critics Unite: 'Go Throw a Cellphone at Some PA You Thin-Skinned Pussy' [Angry Emails]

Film Critics Unite: 'Go Throw a Cellphone at Some PA You Thin-Skinned Pussy' [Angry Emails]

Jim Halpert Won’t Play Captain America

Good news for Office writers terrified at the thought of having to come up with an excuse for Jim to gain 40 pounds of muscle mass: Deadline's Mike Fleming says that of the original seven actors on Marvel's short list to play Captain America, only two unfamous ones are still actually competing for the role: Cloverfield's Mike Vogel and Garrett Hedlund from the upcoming Tron: Legacy. Which means it won't be Chace Crawford, Michael Cassidy, Scott Porter, Patrick Flueger, or, most importantly, Krasinski, despite what was reported yesterday. This doesn't necessarily mean that Marvel hated their auditions; the winning actor will be required to sign on for nine potential sequels and spinoffs, and be paid only $300,000 for the first America movie, making this sort of a crappy job for a guy with a fictional baby to put through college.

Marvel Still Looking For Captain America [DHD]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: regional co-manger america, captain america, movies, the office, tv

FIRST LOOK: The Eclipse Trailer! - People Magazine

MTV UK

FIRST LOOK: The Eclipse Trailer! People Magazine When fans last left Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) at the conclusion of New Moon, the dreamy vamp had popped the question to his stunned mortal beloved, leaving Twi-hards to wonder if she'd accept. ... 'Eclipse' trailer tease!Entertainment Weekly 'Eclipse' 10-Second Teaser Trailer Has Arrived!MTV.com OK Go: 'We Want To Appear On Twilight Eclipse Soundtrack'Gigwise Monsters and Critics.com -Entertainment Tonight News -MTV UK all 57 news articles »

Italian State Council Rules on the Lottery Tender

Annual Pachyderm Parade Celebrates the Arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) Circus to Washington, D.C.

Hear Dozens of This Week’s New Albums, Free: The Knife, Pavement, Broken Bells, Gorillaz, More

Plus, pick up a few free MP3s while you're at it — if you don't already have Swedish duo JJ's song "Let Go," you're in for a treat. But poke around, there's lots of great stuff on there. Ted Leo, the Morning Benders, Titus Andronicus, Besnard Lakes ... something for everyone.
[LargeheartedBoy]

Read more posts by Edith Zimmerman

Filed Under: music, album streams, clickables, largehearted boy, mp3

Actor Corey Haim dies

Update: Census Bureau Launches 'Children Count Too' Awareness Campaign Featuring Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer

Canadian actor Corey Haim dies in Los Angeles at 38

David Letterman talks about his extortion-case victory - Entertainment Weekly

CBC.ca

David Letterman talks about his extortion-case victory Entertainment Weekly David Letterman talked during last night's Late Show about the victory he won in the extortion plot against him. After his nightly Top Ten list, Letterman addressed the case that ended yesterday when CBS News producer Robert “Joe” ... David Letterman Thanks Authorities in Blackmail CasePeople Magazine David Letterman Blackmailer 'Very Happy' to Take Plea, Avoid Trial, Friend SaysABC News Man accused in David Letterman case pleads guilty to attempted larcenyLos Angeles Times Reuters -hecklerspray -AHN | All Headline News all 1,036 news articles »

Clueless Newark Trespasser Didn’t Know the Trouble He Caused

The lovelorn boyfriend who chased his gal pal through an exit door at Newark, causing a security breach that shut down the airport for hours and delayed thousands of people, didn't know what he'd done until police showed up at his door in New Jersey. From the Times, which spoke to 28-year-old graduate student Haisong Jiang this week:

"I saw her at the exit," he said in nearly fluent English. "At that moment, I’m very excited for her. I didn’t realize the consequences." He slipped under the rope and kissed her and, arm in arm, walked her to her Continental Airlines gate and saw her onto the jetway. “And immediately I left,” he said. There was no commotion in the terminal when he drove away to his home in Piscataway, he said.

He does not spend much time following the news, he said — he is working to earn his doctorate degree in the field of biology, seeking a cure for eye ailments like glaucoma and cataracts. So it was two days before he heard about the evacuation at the airport. He was unfazed. "I only know it's maybe caused by a camera problem,” he said. “I didn’t know it was me." Three days passed. "Friday, the police found me," he said. He was at the gym when his roommate called to say two police officers were at their home. Reality finally dawned on the budding scientist: "It's not right to enter the airport. Immediately I know the police want to ask me this thing."

After his 100 hours of community service (which he hopes to spend much of at a soup kitchen), he hopes to move to California to be with his girlfriend, with whom he speaks precisely 2,000 minutes a month. That's love, people.

Consequences of an Airport Kiss [NYT]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: air travel, haison jiang, newark

Best Bet: Take It Back

Smart layering is the key to transitioning from winter to spring, day to night, and office to party. That's why we love this blouse with a Peter collar and sheer accents — because it takes you from one occasion to another. Tuck it into a skirt and layer on a cardigan, and you're set for work. Shed a few layers, and the back exposes a panel of see-through fabric, perfect for a warm night. It's available in cream, black, and pink. Just order one size up, as this tends to fit on the snug side and it looks better with a looser fit.

$48 at Urban Outfitters.

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: best bets, blouses, urban outfitters

New York Style(R) Risotto Chips(TM) Showcased on Rachael Ray's Daytime Talk Show

American Idol Recap: The Good, the Odd, and the Average. Oh, and the Bad

Last night American Idol zipped through eight female performers in one hour — not that anyone should complain about the abbreviated running time. Freed from tales of grandmas and babies, as well as demonstrations of cutesy quirks, the episode was devoted entirely to the music. Well, for the most part: The show opened with Ellen sitting on Simon’s lap and murmuring sweet nothings into his ear while he looked like he does at every other moment (somehow bored and furious at the same time). Any chuckles that her routine might have elicited (minimal to begin with) were dashed before Ellen even got to her “Oh, are the cameras rolling?” quip, as Randy launched into his rambling exclamations of fake surprise. Oh, Randy, you're not even witty enough to play the straight man, are you?

As for the singers, although everyone’s voice was strong and consistent, heroic risk-takers were hard to find. While the play-it-safe mentality might prove to be a strategically sound decision given that next week Idol shifts into finals mode, it certainly made for an underwhelming evening.

The Conspicuously Average:

Katie Stevens bored us with Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway” and the judges flip-flopped over what went wrong. Does the likable 16-year-old need more life experience? Was it that she didn’t convey the feelings behind the words? Does she need to find herself as an artist? Maybe … or maybe she just has one of those pleasant but unremarkable voices that isn’t going to cut it on its own merits.

Paige Miles sang Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” (praise goes to Seacrest for calling it a Chaplin song and not a Nat King Cole tune), and though she added a wispy, light vulnerability that the judges didn’t seem to pick up on, it’s just not the kind of performance that makes new fans. The main problem, however, was the arrangement: The pianist seemed to be riffing on an entirely different melody and the whole thing came across as bossa nova background music at a charity function.

The Odd:

Lacey Brown sang Brandi Carlile’s “The Story” with her legs crossed and dangling over the edge of the stage. That position — not to mention her wide, unfailing smile — brought to mind Kermit the Frog in his troubadour mode, if he had a makeover in a Houston mall’s Hot Topic. Her voice has a problematic nasally undercurrent, which isn’t fatal except that she doesn’t deliver any jaw-dropping moments to distract from it.

Lilly Scott sang Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” with a mandolin, and once again demonstrated that she is intent to do her thang no matter what the judges say, for better or weird. Last night was mostly weird; she overtly enunciated each syllable of the song as if she were teaching it to an ESL class. But she is one of the rare Idol contenders who is fully comfortable in her own skin.

The Satisfying:

Katelyn Epperly sang Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” clearly choosing that high-energy crowd-pleaser after her lovely, but slow take on Coldplay’s “The Scientist” left the judges nonplussed last week. Once again they were confusingly unresponsive toward her; they have no gripe with her voice but they seem to fault her for actually having fun onstage. Kara whined that Katelyn didn't even appear to be competing, which is really more of a compliment than a complaint: It’s always more entertaining to watch a singer having fun than a singer trying to impress.

After being torn to shreds last week, Didi Benami turned in an acoustic take on Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” that was her best performance since she sang the Kara-penned “Terrified” during Hollywood week. Though she barely ventured past grazing some basic chords on her guitar, her voice was reserved and alluring. Plus, she suffered through the indignity of Ellen saying, “Yes indeedy, Didi” with a polite face.

The Impressive:

Siobhan Magnus continues to confound expectations unlike anyone else. One week she’s doing a song popularized in a David Lynch movie ("Wicked Game"), the next she’s hitting that high note in Aretha’s “Think” like it was written for her, and last night she tackled the Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun.” She took a huge risk choosing a slow-paced song that requires a full-bodied voice right before finals, but she pulled it off with surprising ease. Hell, she even accentuated the make-it-or-break-it danger by going a cappella on the first verse. The judges all dug it except for Simon, who claimed he was “underimpressed.” But previously he admitted he “misunderestimated” Crystal Bowersox, so he still has time to repent.

Speaking of this season’s most talked-about talent, Crystal Bowersox once again demonstrated why she deserves all the fuss. No, it’s not the dreadlocks: She’s simply leagues above the other girls (and guys) in terms of artistic development. Not to say her sound is more mature — actually, her stylistic range is more limited than Siobhan’s or Lilly’s — but she is so confident and comfortable being herself that her performances can’t help but shine in comparison. Last night she plugged in her guitar and sang Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” and even Simon went for those absurd percentage-related superlatives. He then told her, “The show is yours to lose,” which is his glass-half-empty way of saying she’s the front-runner.

Read more posts by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Filed Under: overnights, american idol, recaps

Pinnacle Entertainment Chooses GPI to Furnish Newest Property

C22 Capital, Inc. Launches Major Company Expansion

A Lost Boy Forever: Corey Haim Dies at 38

Radio Boss Issues Bizarre Memo Banning 119 Words From the Air [Thought Police]

Radio Boss Issues Bizarre Memo Banning 119 Words From the Air [Thought Police]

Corey Haim Dead of Overdose [Breaking]

Corey Haim Dead of Overdose [Breaking]

Madonna & Vera Farmiga's Royal Engagement

'Phantom of the Opera' sequel gets mixed reviews

Sarah Palin Best Summed Up in Essay From 1964 [Old News]

Sarah Palin Best Summed Up in Essay From 1964 [Old News]

Corey Haim Dead

Sad news today: Frequently rehabbed Lost Boys and Two Coreys star Corey Haim was found dead of an apparent overdose this morning, says the LAPD. He was 38. [TMZ]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: obits, corey haim, movies

Former Child Star Corey Haim Found Dead, Investigation Underway

The star of "License to Drive" was 38.

Review: `Final Fantasy XIII' falls flat (AP)

AP - During the 1990s, the Square brand was synonymous with the role-playing video game. A generation of gamers got hooked on the challenging quests, quirky characters and sweeping story lines of Square RPGs like "Chrono Trigger," "The Secret of Mana" and, of course, the "Final Fantasy" series.

Deluxe Digital Studios Launches Full Range of 3D Services for Home Entertainment Market

Madonna and Iconix Brand Group's MG Icon Announces First Fashion Partnership With Macy's Inc.

Academy (Kind of) Apologises to Farrah Fawcett's Family for Snub [We're Not Really Sorry]

Academy (Kind of) Apologises to Farrah Fawcett's Family for Snub [We're Not Really Sorry]

'Tuscan Sun' author on Italy's pleasures

Review: `Green Zone' is a failure of intelligence (AP)

AP - All the war-zone authenticity in the Arab world cannot salvage the silly Hollywood plot at the heart of "Green Zone," Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass' first collaboration outside the Jason Bourne realm.

Nigerian Scammers Targeting Madoff Victims [Scams]

Nigerian Scammers Targeting Madoff Victims [Scams]

Phantom sequel a "shadow of the original" (Reuters)

Ashton Kutcher Inappropriately Turned On by Mother-Daughter Stripper Pole Lesson [Gossip Roundup]

Ashton Kutcher Inappropriately Turned On by Mother-Daughter Stripper Pole Lesson [Gossip Roundup]

'The Hurt Locker' is Oscars' dream film - Los Angeles Times

Telegraph.co.uk

'The Hurt Locker' is Oscars' dream film Los Angeles Times Critic's Notebook: It's the movie that reminded voters of the time when studios were in the business of making smart, exciting, character-driven films intended primarily for a grown-up audience. Everyone wants the chance to dream, and if Sunday night's ... Bigelow's Oscars Will Change Hollywood, SlowlyABC News How little-seen 'Hurt Locker' beat out blockbustersSan Jose Mercury News Oscar Winner “The Hurt Locker” Sparks Debate Among VeteransVeterans Today Network Daily Athenaeum -BusinessWeek -TheCelebrityCafe.com all 6,786 news articles »

Idol Ladies Night: Who Will Make the Top 12? - People Magazine

MTV.com

Idol Ladies Night: Who Will Make the Top 12? People Magazine Didi Benami, who had her head handed to her on a plate by the judges last week, sang the Fleetwood Mac classic “Rhiannon” — and had a hit! Her phrasing was lovely, her tone was floatingly dreamy-sad, and she looked more than ever like Ugly Betty's ... The NGH Report – American Idol 9's Top 8 Girls: “Is That a Guitar?”Foxes on Idol 'American Idol' Exclusive!: Ellen and Simon are friendly, Ellen and Portia ...Entertainment Weekly On `Idol,' Bowersox shines, 3 sink in judges' eyesThe Associated Press TV Fanatic -The Star-Ledger - NJ.com -Palm Beach Post all 273 news articles »

If You do not Have a $1595 Water Filter, you Suck [Consume]

If You do not Have a $1595 Water Filter, you Suck [Consume]

Lindsay's Super bawl time-out - New York Post

Mirror.co.uk

Lindsay's Super bawl time-out New York Post The "Mean Girls" star was left sobbing uncontrollably when she saw an E-Trade ad on Super Bowl Sunday about a ditsy, boyfriend-stealing infant named Lindsay she believed was created in her likeness, her irate mom ... Lindsay Lohan sues E-Trade for $100 millionEntertainment Weekly LiLo sues E-Trade for mocking her persona in its 'Milkaholic' adThe Money Times Lindsay Lohan says 'milkaholic' baby is in her imageBoston Herald Us Magazine -hecklerspray -Philadelphia Inquirer all 774 news articles »

Confirmed: Congress's Shower Room Is a Hotbed of Naked Gazing [Salty Sailors]

Confirmed: Congress's Shower Room Is a Hotbed of Naked Gazing [Salty Sailors]

Last Night on Late Night: Jon Stewart Blows Up at Bush Speechwriter

Over the years Jon Stewart has interviewed numerous personalities whom he clearly dislikes, but from Jim Cramer to Alberto Gonzales he's always managed to conduct himself with a great deal of equanimity (in the case of Gonzales, he even apologized the next day for being too even-handed). Last night, however, Stewart notably lost patience with George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen, talking over him with attacks like, "It's a very selective world that you live in and it must be lovely to live there." Thiessen, who seemed to be looking for confrontation, was there promoting his new book just as Chelsea Handler was trying to promote hers on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where real blood was spilled. In a martini-making race that Handler called "stupid" from the get-go, Fallon slipped and cut his hand, seeming badly (ahem) shaken afterward. On The Tonight Show Christoph Waltz demonstrated how he fakes speaking Italian in a segment that would have been far more enjoyable had the host not tried to do it himself. Finally, on his show, David Letterman reminded his audience that he's still not over it. Watch our compilation to see what you missed.

Read more posts by Dan Duray

Filed Under: last night on late night, chelsea handler, christoph waltz, jon stewart, marc thiessen, video

How Topper gave a grandmother one last gift

TV review: 'The Pacific' theater of WWII

Candystore Collective owner makes Eichler cozy

Dog owner faces euthanasia decision

Step by Step founder Avery Hall keeps up pace

To the lighthouse or Powell Street

American Ireland Fund salutes fire chief

People get excited by the small stuff. I have seen it myself when I write about...

HOROSCOPE for Wednesday, 03/10/2010

The biting comedy entitled "Umbilical Cord" goes after the Islamist Hamas and its secular Fatah rivals

John Krasinski May Be Borrowed, Then Blue

Blue Ribbon: John Krasinski is in talks to join Ginnifer Goodwin in Alcon's romantic comedy Something Borrowed, which follows a Manhattan attorney (Goodwin), “the consummate good girl,” who falls for her best friend’s fiancé. Borrowed is based on the first of a series of novels by Emily Giffin; the rights to the second book, Something Blue, have already been picked up by Alcon. Krasiniski’s deal is unusual in that he would have a minimal role in the first film - as Goodwin’s friend - but then become the male lead in the second movie… which totally gives away how the first film is going to end, now doesn’t it? [HR]

Cheeseheads!: Robert De Niro will take on the role of Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi in Lombardi, with a script to come from Eric Roth (The Good Shepherd). ESPN Films and the NFL will co-produce the picture with Andell Entertainment and DeNiro’s Tribeca Productions. ESPN will be heavily involved in promoting the film and already has plans to release it the week before the Super Bowl in 2012. It's safe to say Chris Berman and Erin Andrews will be be cameoing in this somewhere. [Deadline]

Post-Precious: Gabourey Sidibe has officially signed on for a recurring role in The Big C, the upcoming Showtime dark comedy series staring Laura Linney as a teacher with terminal cancer. In her first role since earning an Oscar nomination for Precious, Sidibe will play a “smart-aleck student” in Linney’s class. Sidibe really goes for the light stuff, huh? [Variety]

Rare Movie Title That Also Works As Olivia Wilde Maxim Spread Headline: Keri Russell is in negotiations to star opposite Will Arnett in Fox’s comedy Wilde Kingdom. The show centers on a “Beverly Hills jackass” (Arnett) who falls in love with a “tree-hugging woman” (Russell) who can’t stand the way he lives his life. If the tree hugger thing gives you pause, this should make you feel better: Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, is directing and co-writing the pilot. [HR]

Brother Jimmy: Jimmy Smits will star in and executive produce NBC’s untitled John Eisendrath pilot which is focused on a Supreme Court justice (Smits) who leaves the Court to go into private practice and “fight constitutional injustices,” which is something you’re always hearing about Supreme Court justices doing. [HR]

She'll Be Back: Judy Greer will star opposite David Krumholtz (Numb3rs) in the Fox comedy pilot Tax Man. Set at an IRS office in Fresno filled with eccentric characters, the environment is shaken up by the arrival of a former Morgan Stanley secretary nicknamed the Terminator (Greer). Though her character’s nickname gives us hope, we’re just going to assume Greer is - as ever - playing a hotter actress’ BFF, until we see something that proves to the contrary. [HR]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: the industry, david krumholtz, eric roth, gabourey sidibe, ginnifer goodwin, jimmy smits, john eisendrath, john krasinski, judy greer, keri russell, lombardi, mitch hurwitz, movies, robert de niro, something blue, something borrowed, television, the big c, the wilde kingdom, will arnett

Variety: This Season of 24 Will Likely Be Its Last

Variety reports tonight that 20th Century Fox TV and Fox are ready to pull the plug on 24 after this season, the show’s eighth. Though studio and network execs would not comment for the story, Variety says the decision will be made “in the next day or two.” The studio may shop the series around to other networks, though it is "believed that interest... will be limited." Though the series may be dying, the 24 feature-length movie still has support from Fox. We should know by now you can't get rid of Jack Bauer that easily.

Clock winds down for '24' [Variety]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: endings, 24, 24: the movie, fox

Lost Redux: So Wait, Are They All Gonna Live Forever?!

Chelsea Handler Stirs, Shakes, Maims Jimmy Fallon

Larry King Cuts to the Chase With Massa, Asks ‘Are You Gay?’

After he told Glenn Beck hours earlier that he had “tickled [a congressional staffer] until he couldn’t breathe,” former Representative Eric Massa claimed to Larry King tonight that “it’s not true” that he groped staffers ("When four guys jump on you to wrestle you ... anything can be called anything, Larry"). He reiterated the two main reasons for his departure on Live, citing his health and his conduct as a congressman.

The 30-minute interview took an uncomfortable turn though when King asked Massa point blank if he was gay, a question the “salty old sailor” refused to answer, claiming that King had “insulted every gay American by asking it.” Enduring the tense exchange is worth it, though, for King’s automatic, guttural “No!” response when Massa suggests King pose the question to “the ten thousand sailors [he] served with in the Navy.”

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: messa, eric massa, larry king, scandals, video

Ravitch to Share Broad Financial-Rescue Plan for State

Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch is set to present a five-year financial-rescue plan Wednesday in which he will propose that New York borrow billions of dollars to address its current budget shortfall, the Times says. Additionally, a financial-review board would be set up in the plan to “impose new discipline on future spending.” Ravitch, considered “one of the leading figures in the rescue of New York City in the 1970s,” was asked by Governor Paterson to draw up the blueprint.

“The plan, which requires legislative approval, seeks to address New York’s immediate cash needs by permitting the state to sell bonds to help cover operating expenses. But those bonds would be contingent on the state’s producing a balanced budget, and the newly established board would have the authority to determine whether the budget meets that requirement,” the Times explains.

The state’s financial situation is an utter disaster: Spending has risen by 10 percent over last year’s budget, and the state is looking at a $9 billion shortfall for this fiscal year and then a $15 billion gap for the subsequent year.

Paterson’s No. 2 Sets Broad Plan on New York Fiscal Crisis [NYT]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: financial rescue, richard ravitch

Scott Brown Gets a Book Deal

Senator Scott Brown will be writing a memoir about “his family background, his early career, and his ascent to the office of Massachusetts senator,” an achievement that publisher HarperCollins calls “one of the biggest political coups of the decade.” "I am humbled to have the opportunity to share my personal story in hopes to inform, encourage, and inspire others," Brown said in a statement. The book, due in early 2011, is currently untitled. Any title ideas out there? From Cosmo to Politico? [AP]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: memoirs, early and often, name game, scott brown

Gonzalez: Boros fight for tougher rules on Time Warner, Cablevision

Academy: Fawcett Was Skipped Because of Background in Television

Farrahgate continues tonight, as the executive director of the Academy said Tuesday Fawcett was left off the "In Memoriam" segment because she was “better known for her television work.” After lots of hubbub - including a public statement from the Charlie Angels’ star’s longtime partner Ryan O’Neal - the mystery over her omission has now been solved, kind of.

"In every category, you're going to miss some wonderful people," Academy executive director Bruce David told the Associated Press, explaining that "an unusual number of extremely distinguished screenwriters" died this year.

Considering this logic, you may be wondering why Michael Jackson was included. Davis said Jackson’s appearance in the documentary This Is It is what earned him a spot. "Think of all the blogging we would have gotten if we had left him out!" Davis said. He's right: us bloggers are such a rambunctious breed.

Academy: Farrah Fawcett Omitted Because of TV-Heavy Career [PopEater]
Film Academy: Why We Snubbed Farrah Fawcett in Oscar Tribute [US Weekly]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: farrah fawcett, in memorium, omissions, oscars

Bank of America Plans to Eliminate Overdraft Fees on Debit Purchases

Nothing is quite so infuriating as scrolling down your online banking statement and discovering that the $40 Uniqlo T-shirt you just had to have actually ended up costing you $75. Thankfully, for Bank of America members, those days are over. The bank said on Tuesday that, effective this summer, it will no longer charge overdraft fees on purchases made with debit cards. Instead, when a customer makes a purchase with a debit card without enough money in his account, his card will just be declined.

The decision means the bank will lose tens of millions of dollars in revenue, as debit purchases account for roughly 60 percent of overdrafts at Bank of America. Banks are anticipating a new federal rule that will require them to get permission from account holders before they would provide them with overdraft services.

“What our customers kept telling me is ‘just don’t let me spend money that I don’t have,’” said Susan Faulkner, the bank’s deposit and card product executive. “We wanted to help them avoid those unexpected overdraft fees.”

Normally we would kind of be rolling our eyes at something so transparently designed as a “push to build trust among customers,” but … this is kind of undeniably great.

Bank of America to End Overdraft Fees on Debit Purchases [NYT]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: eradicated annoyances, bank of america, banks, overdraft fees

Hinckley: The bar's set pretty low in 'High Society'

Hinckley: 'Pacific' tells dramatic inside story of World War II

Well, Jerry Seinfeld Liked The Oscar Hosts!

“That was the greatest Oscar opening dialogue… that I’ve seen since I don’t know when... I was in a room full of a bunch of people. People were just destroyed. Pounding tables... Great jokes, beautifully delivered. A very simple, but difficult thing.” - Jerry Seinfeld, whose Oscar party was definitely more raucous than ours, to Billy Bush on Access Hollywood tonight, offering his assessment of Oscar hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. [Access Hollywood]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: praise, alec baldwin, jerry seinfeld, oscars, steve martin, table pounding

Tatum O'Neal "Deeply Saddened" That Oscar Failed to Recognize Farrah

A Few of American Idol's Top Eight Girls Prove Elite

Drugs Land DMX in Jail Again

Marie Osmond Back at Work After Son's Funeral

"Who Is Clark Rockefeller?" a rip-off (Reuters)

Mariah Carey Wants a Piece of Woody Allen

Fans get a chance to cheer ailing Lundy

"Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" a cold-case chiller (Reuters)

Second New York State Police Chief Quits in Two Weeks

A week after Superintendent Harry Corbitt resigned from his post last Tuesday, his replacement - Pedro Perez - said today that he will be stepping down Friday.

Corbitt resigned a week after he admitted that state police members had contacted the accuser in the David Johnson assault case. According to the Times, Perez allegedly authorized some of those contacts. Though Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is leading an investigation into the State Police’s involvement in the case, Perez said this is not the reason for his departure.

“I know my decisions were honest and rightly motivated…” Perez said. “My decisions over time, combined with the indication that [Paterson is] seeking a new superintendent and the labor unions’ perception of my ability to lead the agency, have led me to the conclusion that continuing in my position as acting superintendent may be an obstacle to progress of the New York State Police, an agency I love."

The union has apparently been displeased with Perez due to his handling of “suspensions and other disciplinary matters.” Yeah, somehow we think his quitting is less about that and more about the fact that the guy is being investigated for a major scandal that he has been proven to be blatantly embroiled in. But that's just a guess.

State Police Losing Its Second Chief in Two Weeks [CityRoom/NYT]

Read more posts by Josh Duboff

Filed Under: oh albany!, harry corbitt, pedro perez, state police, the cuddle muddle

3D television is here, for the price of a used car

CW's reality shows an affront to female viewers (Reuters)

Alleged Letterman Extortionist Cops Plea

Review: `Our Family Wedding' surpasses stereotype (AP)

AP - One enters a movie like "Our Family Wedding" bracing for cheesiness.

New Shows: Chloé, Chanel, Valentino, and More

The latest collections from Paris were full of fur and ruffles. Check out full-screen slideshows of what you missed, including Chloé's slouchy trousers, Chanel's wooly boots, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's Bambi prints, and more.

RUNWAY
Martin Grant
Vanessa Bruno
Thierry Mugler
Cacharel
Chloé

Loewe
Tim Hamilton
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
Chanel
Valentino
Marithe + François Girbaud

Read more posts by Lauren Murrow

Filed Under: paris fashion week, fall 2010, paris at last

Jessica Simpson says she still trusts people

Alexander McQueen’s Final Collection Walks in Paris

Yesterday the final collection Alexander McQueen created before his February 11 suicide was presented in Paris. Only sixteen looks of the fall 2010 line, inspired by Old Master painters, were shown. Though rumors surfaced earlier this week about Gareth Pugh taking over design, the house hasn't begun seriously thinking about McQueen's successor. Reuters reports:

"We've been really focusing on this, on finishing the collection, we haven't been thinking beyond that," Chief Executive Jonathan Akeroyd told Reuters, visibly moved after the show in a discreet villa on a side street by the Seine.

"In the next few weeks, we are going to be working on the way ahead, but we've just really been concentrating on this presentation," he said.

Reporters watched the show in silence as McQueen's assistants "choked back tears." Looks included McQueen's signature prints, a red dress embroidered with thousands of rustling gold disks, and a gold coat with a high collar made entirely of feathers, worn over a white tulle skirt.

"It was all inspired and developed and all patterns were cut by Lee," Akeroyd said, using McQueen's given first name.

"It was well under way and the development was very much in final stages, so it was just about carrying on finishing the pieces ... we had four weeks to finish his work, basically," he said, describing the experience as intense and incredibly difficult.

Akeroyd added that McQueen had come up with a concept for one of his usually theatrical shows, but that "it didn't feel right" to put it on after his passing. "We decided this was the best way to do it in a very low-profile environment — the most appropriate way in light of what has happened." The clothes certainly speak for themselves. See the full collection in the slideshow.

Grief and hope at McQueen's final show [Reuters]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: r.i.p. mcqueen, alexander mcqueen, designers, fall 2010, paris fashion week, slideshow

Tiger Woods's ex: He deserves another chance

Jimi Hendrix re-experienced, on 'The Valleys of Neptune,' first release of new material in 10 years

Glenn Beck Questions Eric Massa’s Honor

It seemed like both interviewer and interviewee were dreading their encounter going into Eric Massa's hour-long appearance on Glenn Beck's Fox News program this afternoon. "I have other guests in the on-deck circle just in case," Beck said at the start of the show. "You never know." Massa himself said he went on because he wanted "the toughest, most unrelenting interviewer possible" (followed, apparently, by the opposite: He'll be on Larry King this evening). And their conversation lived up to the prepared awkwardness. Beck, apparently astounded that Massa would resign over something so tiny as sexual harassment and offended staffers, kept appealing to Massa's pride as a former military man. "Your honor is at stake!" he repeated over and over, urging Massa to fight back. (When discussing the issue at hand, an inappropriate male grope of sorts at a party, Massa described it thusly: "I tickled [my staffer] until he couldn't breathe." Whoa.) The congressman, for his part, tried to explain that the burgeoning scandal, his health problems, and pressure from the party were too much to bear all at once. But our favorite dance to watch was when Massa claimed full responsibility for his own problems, and Beck tried, over and over, to get him to blame it on somebody else. Honor, everybody!

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: messa, eric massa, fox news, glenn beck, scandals

Judge Sending Andrew Young and His Wife to Jail

Andrew Young, the obedient man slave of John Edwards who took the blame for his boss's love child and then wrote a tell-all book about it, is going to jail until he turns over every copy he has of the alleged John Edwards–Rielle Hunter sex tape (pending legal appeals, etc). Also, his wife has to go, too! Young says he's already turned over everything he has, but Hunter's lawyers claim he's lying, and the judge is inclined to agree.

Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones said that he held the Youngs in contempt because he believes they are withholding other items from the court, including, WTVD says, additional copies of the tape.

"There were things told to the court under oath, in affidavits, in testimony that turned out to be inaccurate. Right now, part of me says they didn't tell me the truth before in this court," Jones said, according to the Raleigh News and Observer.

The judge really, really wants to get every one of these tapes, you see. For, uh, normal ... judging ... purposes.

Ex-Edwards Aide Ordered to Jail Over Sex Tape [ABC News]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: gross things, andrew young, politics, sex tapes

Kylie Minogue Cuts It Short

Kylie Minogue attended the Yves Saint Laurent fall 2010 fashion show in Paris yesterday wearing a pair of leather shorts. She paired them with a blush blouse and a pair of black heels.

Shorts can be dressy, right?

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: look of the day, fall 2010, kylie minogue, paris fashion week, yves saint laurent

Ex-CBS producer Robert Halderman pleads guilty to blackmailing David Letterman over intern affairs

Some Theories on Why Balenciaga Banned Carine Roitfeld and French Vogue

Last week Carine Roitfeld said she didn't attend the Balenciaga show in Paris because the house had "blacklisted" French Vogue. They don't advertise in the magazine or lend it samples anymore. But WHY? Fashionista heard a rumor that Carine called in a Balenciaga sample, and then loaned it to MaxMara, a brand she consults for. MaxMara then made an eerily similar coat before the Balenciaga sample was returned to them, which upset Balenciaga and resulted in the ban. However, a few commenters say the ban has something to do with French Vogue firing Marie Amelie Sauvé, who is "very close" with designer Nicolas Ghèsquiere. "They hate the French Vogue team," commenter Randy writes. However, this is all highly speculative. For all we know Ghesquiere got upset because Carine tagged and refused to remove unflattering photos of him on Facebook. Some people are fussy about that stuff.

Why Balenciaga Blacklisted French Vogue [Fashionista]
Earlier: Balenciaga Banned Carine Roitfeld

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: rumor mill, balenciaga, carine roitfeld, designers, french vogue, maxmara, nicolas ghesquiere

Oprah Winfrey sees herself in Gabourey Sidibe

Eric Massa Keeps Getting Saltier

For those who have been predicting that "bigger revelations" about Eric Massa "are on the way," well done! Because this afternoon the Washington Post reported that the House Ethics Committee is investigating Massa "for allegations that he groped multiple male staffers working in his office," which is part of "a pattern of behavior and physical harassment." Have fun with your new hero, Republicans. [WP]

Earlier: Eric Massa, Unpredictable Explosive

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: messa, eric massa, groping, politics, salty old sailors

Someone Please Get Gabourey Sidibe A Talk Show Called “I’d Hit That”

Around the BWE offices we’ve been discussing what Gabourey Sidibe’s next career move should be after her Oscar nomination and it’s really been racking our brains. Personally, I think the Captain America producers should make a bold and progressive move by casting her as the hero. However, after watching this clip from the red carpet, I realized Gabourey inadvertently answered it for all of us when she saw Gerard Butler and blurted out her awesome new catch phrase, “I’d hit that.”

It’s obvious now. Gabourey should replace Oprah when she retires with a sassy new talk show. Gabourey will talk about the celebrity gossip of the day, and whenever certain male stars are mentioned, she stops, looks at the camera, and says “I’D HIT THAT!” Then, everyone in the audience cheers and we sell a boat load of t-shirts. America already loves you, Gabourey. Let’s make them love you even more. Call us. This is a million dollar idea.

[via Huffington Post]

What Makes Turkish Vogue’s First Cover So Great?

(a) There's not a celebrity on the cover, but rather (b) Jessica Stam, with an awesome spiked blonde pouf? Or (c), there are no headlines, which are the same on every magazine every month anyway, and distract from what the magazine is supposed to be about, which would be fashion, in case you've forgotten. [Design Scene]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: cover girls, covers, jessica stam, model tracker, models, turkish vogue

Chanel's Fake Fur Ice Maidens (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - One season after staging a Chanel runway show in a reconstructed Normandy farm, the house's designer Karl Lagerfeld presented its latest collection Tuesday, March 9, in Paris, in the midst of a custom-built iceberg, literally imported from Scandinavia.

Andy García is acting funny

Chanel does climate change, with real icebergs (AP)

AP - Models in head-to-toe yeti suits picked their way around towering but quickly melting icebergs, sloshing through a deep puddle of Arctic melt in their shaggy fake fur.

Michelle Obama Wore Prabal Gurung to Meet Jason Wu

Jason Wu met Michelle Obama for the first time today when she officially handed her inaugural gown over to the Smithsonian for their First Ladies exhibit. Wu, now 28, was gracious as ever, and thanked Michelle for "letting my story become a small part of the events" of Barack Obama's historic inauguration. Michelle, who enjoys a good public romp with a hoe and shovel in the garden, felt a little awkward about the whole thing:

“And I have to say, to be honest, I am very honored and very humbled, but I have to say that I’m also a little embarrassed by all the fuss being made over my dress. Like many of you, I’m not used to people wanting to put things I’ve worn on display. So, all of this is a little odd, so forgive me.”

But did the event prove what Michelle has been saying about her style all along — that she's not really a fashion person?

If she were, she might have chosen to wear something by Wu for the occasion, instead of a spring 2010 dress by Prabal Gurung. That's what fashion people like to do — wear something by the designer they're hanging out with, to be supportive and also to show the world they can. However, this is great publicity for Gurung, an up-and-comer himself, and a savvy choice by Michelle (and her unofficial stylist Ikram Goldman).

And it must be noted that Michelle wore a dress by Lanvin (see it here) to celebrate International Women's Day in the White House yesterday. So as much as she sort of fights it, maybe she is a fashion person as much as a gardener, and should just publicly embrace it.

The Michelle Obama Look Book 2010
Michelle Obama's inaugural gown goes to Smithsonian — Jason Wu too [LAT]
Michelle Obama Donates “Masterpiece” Inaugural Gown to the Smithsonian [StyleWatch/People]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: mobama watch, designers, jason wu, lanvin, michelle obama, prabal gurung

Annie Leibovitz Enters New Deal to Manage Debt

Annie Leibovitz has entered into an agreement with a private investment firm to help manage her debt and market her portfolio of celebrity images.

Woman gets free stuff for her dream wedding after Conan O'Brien starts following her on Twitter

Black-Market Procedures Send Six Jersey Women to the Hospital; Cosmetic Surgeries in Decline

PLASTIC SURGERY
• Six women were hospitalized in New Jersey in the last two months after getting infections from black-market butt-enhancement procedures. The women, all of whom were from the Dominican Republic, got the injections — containing silicone, petroleum jelly, and household caulk — in hotels near Newark. [Fox News]

• The number of cosmetic surgeries was 2 percent lower in 2009 than 2008. The recession is to blame, most likely. [WSJ]

HAIR
• At the Karl Lagerfeld show in Paris, hairstylist Odile Gilbert put his own spin on the tall, retro hair trend for fall by adding a vinyl/latex headband to the updos. [Beauty Counter/Style.com]

• Haven't seen much of Katherine Heigl lately? Yeah, well, she's a brunette now. [StyleWatch/People]

• Cyndi Lauper on her hair: "I am tired of being bland. I have a wig for when I go outside among the regular folks, so they don’t feel uncomfortable because I have a Day-Glo color somewhere in my hair. I can look normal but for everyday, for when I look in my mirror, I gotta feel better. The conservative look is killing me." [Moment/NYTM]

MAKEUP
• After a few seasons with bleached eyebrows on the runways, strong brows are in for fall. From John Galliano to Jeremy Scott to Topshop, makeup artists offered new ways to define brows this season. [Refinery 29]

• FusionBeauty signed Kim Kardashian as its spokesperson. One of the products she'll promote is a lip plumper, which seems so fitting. [StyleList]

• Fear not: Red lips and red hair do look good together, as proven by Emma Stone and Coco Rocha. [Girls in the Beauty Department/Glamour]

SKIN
• Gillette, known for its razors, will launch a four-item skin-care line for men in June named Fusion ProSeries. Products range from $6.99 to $8.99. Gillette originally tried skin care in 2004, but the collection was phased out after two years. [WWD]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: beauty marks, beauty, cyndi lauper, gillette, hair, jeremy scott, john galliano, karl lagerfeld, katherine heigl, kim kardashian, makeup, skin, topshop

Man Pleads No Contest to Stalking Ryan Seacrest

A man who has repeatedly shown up at Ryan Seacrest's work and events has pleaded no contest to felony stalking.

The Secrets Behind the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" Reissue

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards reevaluate their classic 1972 double album Get the full story on the never-before-heard tracks on the Rolling Stone's upcoming Exile on Main Street reissue in our new issue, on stands now. In the new issue of Rolling Stone, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards talk about plundering their vaults for the

Alexander McQueen: ‘When I’m Dead, Hopefully This House Will Still Be Going’

Alexander McQueen: "People always ask if I think about a concept or the show or the front row or whatever first. No! Fuck off! The client comes first! The collection is driven by what clients want in different parts of the world, so I want them to be able to see it straight away and to judge it for themselves. Well I just think that which celebrities are wearing it, what reviews say — none of it matters if it’s all there for people to make their own minds up. I’m 40 now, but I want this to be a company that lives way beyond me, and I believe that customers are more important to making that happen than press. When I’m dead, hopefully this house will still be going. On a spaceship. Hopping up and down above the earth." [Love via Fashionista]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: quotables, alexander mcqueen, designers

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES: Yet Another Photo From Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” Video

We are just days away from the premiere of Lady Gaga’s new music video and/or Verizon ad for “Telephone.” She keeps leaking new picture from the video on her website, so once again I have a new Photo Hunt puzzle to kill the time between now and Thursday night’s premiere.

Can you spot the differences between these two pictures?

As far as I can tell, the first photo has Pepsi cans in her hair and Coke in the second.

[This video better be REALLY good, Gaga. I made a lot of people sit through some pretty juvenile Photoshopping thanks to you.]

Does Hollywood's 3-D Craze Spell the End of the 2-D Film?

With the new craze sweeping Hollywood, will traditional films become a thing of the past?

Why did George Clooney look so upset at the Oscars?

HELP! I Am Too Horrified By Heidi Montag’s Plastic Face To Decide If This Is Funny

Ron Howard and Funny Or Die released another video to push for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency… I think. Honestly, every time I try to watch it and see Heidi Montag I keep thinking she is one of those frightening Japanese sex robots come to life to seek revenge on mankind. Maybe her next 60 surgeries will fix all that.

Ron, buddy, maybe its best you don’t try to sabotage your own cause with the two most hated people in America:

What Does a Girl Gotta Do To Get a Baby Giraffe to Get Down on His Fresh Knobby Knee and Propose?

BREAKING HUNGARIAN NEWS: The Budapest Zoo has a new baby giraffe in its midst!! As a Hungarian (who studied abroad in Budapest), let me assure you… this is the biggest news Hungary has seen since the Battle of Mohács in 1526. Because truly, the only baby animal more important than the rise and fall of Communism are baby giraffes! From their nubby horns to their unstable walk on the pile of toothpick legs they were born with, to their little sea-horse-shaped heads to their 4 millimeter long neck-fur… I mean, really, is there any argument? They are the King of adorably unsure animal newborns.

And despite the fact that they will grow tall enough to teabag the Lord (yes, I might be fired now), as babies they’re tiny. Like, adult Roloff sized! So little… they don’t even know his/her gender yet. Really. Who knew something as terrifying as giraffe sex could produce something so beloved.

Just how tiny is this little he/she?

Ayayayayayayayayayayay. According to the Associated Press:

A new-born giraffe is licked by its mother in the giraffe house of the Budapest Zoo and Botanic Garden in the Hungarian capital on March 7, 2010. The 14-year old mother from the Czech town of Liberec, Santana, has been living for the last 13 years in the park and the 8-year old father, Jonas, arrived from Denmark about 6 years ago. The three-day old 170cm tall baby’s gender is not yet known. According to the zoo, the calf will be presented to the public from next week.

Hungarians, for the first time in history, are the luckiest people on Earth. GALLERY BELOWWW.ADORABLE.BIZ.

Models display a new Sony 3D television

Sony said its first 3D liquid crystal display TV models would hit the Japanese market on June 10

McQueen's final fashion show a celebration of life (Reuters)

Reuters - British designer Alexander McQueen's final collection on Monday revealed a feast of colors and textures, celebrating his skill and passion for spectacle just weeks after his suicide.

Chanel muses on global cooling with iceberg show (Reuters)

Reuters - An event based around hundreds of fashionistas flying in from all over the world was never going to be a convincing platform for environmental campaigning, but designers in Paris haven't let that stop them.

`Candida' channels power struggles of marriage (AP)

AP - The power struggles of marriage are eternal. Witness George Bernard Shaw's domestic comedy, "Candida," written 112 years ago.

The Marketing Geniuses At Disney Discover Girls Are Gross And Have Cooties

A couple weeks back, the trailer for the new animated Disney film Tangled hit the web, which is apparently based on the Rapunzel story. But why not just call it “Rapunzel”? Well the L.A. Times has an answer:

After the less-than-fairy-tale results for its most recent animated release, “The Princess and the Frog,” executives at the Burbank studio believe they know why the acclaimed movie came up short at the box office.

Brace yourself: Boys didn’t want to see a movie with “princess” in the title.

This time, Disney is taking measures to ensure that doesn’t happen again. The studio renamed its next animated film with the girl-centric name “Rapunzel” to the less gender-specific “Tangled.”

So even though Kathryn Bigelow broke an 81 year Best Director Oscar winning streak… DUDES STILL TOTALLY OWN HOLLYWOOD. High fives, dudes. We did it.

No one wants to see some stupid princess complaining about her woman problems for two hours. We want to see swords and stones and space pirates and raining meatballs and TANGLED STUFF. “Tangled” is a movie title I can get behind. It’s strong enough for a woman, but pH balanced for manly dudes with junk.

“Rapunzel”? What is that, a WNBA team or something? Get out of here with your “Rapunzel.” Read the sign. This clubhouse says “No girls allowed.” Dudes, lets all go see Tangled and then hit up a strip club. Guys night out!

TRAILER MIX: Tron Legacy, B.Y.O. Blacklight

I’m really not sure who this movie is for. Were people demanding a Tron sequel? Or did some studio executive mistake the “Tron Guy” phenomenon for actual interest in the movie Tron? This movie could be Jeff Bridges‘ answer to Jamie Foxx following up his Oscar win with the movie Stealth.

If I didn’t know anything about the original movie, I would have thought this was a big budget adaptation of a 5th grade birthday laser tag party. However, it has a guy dressed as Ziggy Stardust David Bowie playing air guitar on a light up hockey stick, so it can’t be THAT bad:

Former CBS Producer Gets Jail Sentence in Letterman Extortion Case

Robert Halderman is being sentenced to six months in jail and 1,000 hours of community service.

Lloyd Webber shrugs off musical's critics

Review: Gary Allan reveals pain on new CD (AP)

AP - Gary Allan, "Get Off on the Pain" (MCA Nashville)

EXCLUSIVE PEEK: Adam Lambert Goes “Down The Rabbit Hole” Tomorrow on Unplugged!

Tomorrow, March 10, VH1.com is unveiling the first artist of many to take part in a brand new season of “Unplugged.” That artist is Adam Lambert. And while tomorrow we plan on bringing you his entire performance along with a first person behind-the-scenes account, it seemed cruel to withhold everything until it’s online air date…

So we figured why not give you a taste of what’s to come? And what better song to whet your fappetites with than Adam’s VH1 Unplugged version of “Down the Rabbit Hole,” his acid-inspired bonus track from For Your Entertainment that seems ever so timely, given that Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland made the entire GDP of Estonia in 3 days flat. Check BWE.tv tomorrow for Adam’s entire performance as well as a short printerview with yours truly…

UPDATE: Ahead, Adam talks about the experience of taping VH1s Unplugged!

Remembering Sparklehorse frontman Mark Linkous: 1962-2010

Lindsay Lohan Wants $100M for E-Trade 'Milkaholic' Ad

The actress claims the one of the company's famous baby ads used her name to mock her.

Cowell (sort of) confirms he's engaged

While You Were Baking A Shiv In To A Cake For Lil Wayne

• Betty White has confirmed that she will appear on Saturday Night Live. Hopefully Keenan Thompson is already working on his Rue McClanahan impression.
• Lindsay Lohan is reportedly suing E-Trade over their new commercial character “Lindsay the Milkaholic Baby,” claiming it is based on her. She is also suing Froot Loops for their new mascot “Cokehead the Anorexic Turtle.”
• The ratings for this year’s Oscars were up 14% to 41 million people. To ride the ratings momentum, next year’s awards will be hosted by Peyton Manning and renamed “The Super Bowl Olympics Idol.”
• Kathy Ireland disputes claims that she was on meds or alcohol while interviewing celebrities on the red carpet at the Academy Awards. However, her limp right arm is being suspiciously silent on the matter.
• Dane Cook and two of the Jonas Brothers have reportedly auditioned for the role of Captain America in the upcoming movie. If any one of those gets the role, I will definitely be moving to Captain Canada.
• Thanks to Conan O’Brien, the one person he follows on Twitter can now pay for her dream wedding. The ceremony will be presided over by the Reverend Masturbating Bear.

Ryan O'Neal 'Disappointed' That Farrah Fawcett Was Excluded From Oscars Tribute

Fawcett's long-time partner was not happy with the Academy's decision to omit her.

RAW DATA: The Stars Honored at the 82nd Annual Oscars' 'In Memoriam' Tribute

With fans and the media buzzing about Farrah Fawcett's absence in the tribute, take a look at the stars who were included in the Academy Awards tribute to stars we lost.

Yves Saint Laurent's New Corporate Woman (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - The house of Yves Saint Laurent took a step into a rather new dimension Monday, March 8, in Paris with a collection the label's designer Stefano Pilati said was targeted at women in powerful positions.