August 31, 2006
Walk the Skank
The writers at The Sun went pun-crazy in an otherwise pointless, pirate-themed story to accompany this photo of Kate Moss, who wore various costumes during a photo shoot for the paper. Of course, "booty" was essential, as was "plunderwear," "treasure chest," and "high sees," but our favorite is "she has an anchoring to strip off." Yo ho ho's all round.
Fully Engaged
The blogs say these pictures show Hard Rock heir Harry Morton at Cartier working hard to find the right ring for Lindsay Lohan, and that he's about to ask her to marry him. He's said to be the one responsible for getting her off drugs and away from alcohol, which sounds to us more like a sponsor than a husband. (Photos: SplashNews)
Nobody Does It Better
In the new film Infamous, Douglas McGrath's funnier, darker biodrama of Truman Capote writing In Cold Blood shot almost simultaneously with Bennett Miller's same-territory Capote, the Capote near-doppleganger Toby Jones engages in a bit of prison-cell smooching with the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, whose Casino Royale has yet to screen. (But – d'oh! – we were so immersed in the drama that we forgot to notice it was Craig playing murderer Perry Smith – that's how good this new movie is.) Jones says he found the kissing "slightly abrasive, ultimately rewarding. [...] I've never dreamt that I would kiss James Bond, it's not something I have ever aspired to. Now I've done it, I can say that I hope I am the first of many."
Bushwhacked
A British film screening at the Toronto film festival and soon to air on television is a docudrama that looks back at the assassination of President George W Bush as he leaves the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago. If you're drawing a blank on the particulars of that event, it's because it doesn't happen until October, 2007. Death of a President's writer-director Gabriel Range says, "It's a pointed political examination of what the War on Terror did to the American body politic. I'm sure that there will be people who will be upset by it, but when you watch it you realize what a sophisticated piece of work it is." If he says so himself. (This is London via Drudge)
For Whom the Bell Rings
This morning's guest on Ring My Bell is Peter Paige, best known for his role as Emmett on Queer As Folk, but most recently the writer-director of his first feature, Say Uncle. Call 323 603-6312 between 11AM and 12PM PST to ask Peter anything, and watch it live at www.ringmybell.tv.
From Paramount to New Line
We wouldn't want to live in a world without Worth 1000. Fortunately, we don't have to. Its latest assignment, in which photoshoppers were asked to imagine other careers for Tom Cruise, is a seemingly endless delight. We are particularly fond of Tom as a mannequin model. (via BestWeekEver)
Carats for Carey
Seems the Sultan of Brunei's boy, 24-year-old Prince Azim, has the hots for Mariah Carey and knows exactly what to do about it. He had jewelry worth $5.4 million hand-delivered backstage at Madison Square Garden before her show last week. A fah-lawless 8-carat diamond-and-platinum necklace and matching ring were sent by private jet. A gift, not a loan. But gee, Prince, Carey's seeing someone right now. Does that mean she's going to send it back with a nice note? Developing. (Platinum Today)
Platinum jewelry is very much in vogue for America's celebrity elite with many stars adorning themselves in it for last week's Emmy Awards. Research from the Platinum Guild International showed that over 40 celebrities chose to wear platinum jewelry for the event with the highest valued piece standing at $5 million – still $0.4 million shy of the value of Ms Carey's gift.
The Real Reveal
Jody Watley is now claiming that the photo she gave to the press in December of last year, showing her bandaged and bloody from plastic surgery, was in fact a hoax to promote her album The Makeover. She says the joke had her family and friends slapping their thighs because they know how anti nip and tuck she is. "I would never touch my face. I want to grow old gracefully like Lena Horne and my mom who's 70 and still looks beautiful." The prank was worth whatever the gauze, stage blood, and bruise makeup set her back; revealing the ruse is giving her a whole new round of publicity – for nothing. We'd be laughing but it hurts when we laugh.
Luck of the Irish
In 1993, an unknown Jennifer Aniston had her first feature film role in Leprechaun. Remember how you wondered what would become of that fine actress, but a year later when she showed up on Friends you had no idea? TMZ has unearthed Aniston's screen test for Leprechaun and some behind-the-scenes footage from the film. Watch her spit chewing gum into the director's hand before shooting, thrill to her running in fear from the tiny green ogre, and weep as she "spranes" her ankle. Also, consider the coincidence of "green" in Aniston's life. (Roll tape)
Project Funway
The best thing about this season of Project Runway is Fourfour's hilarious weekly recap and photoshop round-up. No one is safe, not even poor Michael Kors' mother.
– Steven Corfe
Recently Dead
Movie star Glenn Ford, whose films include Gilda, The Blackboard Jungle, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, 3:10 to Yuma, and Teahouse of the August Moon, died yesterday evening at home in Beverly Hills. He was 90. (More)
thisisaknife: The World Will End in a Week
It's been said before, but the world really is ending a week on Tuesday. You don't believe us? Then listen to it from the horse's mouth, as it speaks into a telephone to Donal on this week's thisisaknife. Also this week: the Pirate Rap.
August 30, 2006
It Ain't What You Pod It's the Way That You Cast It
Zombies. Have the movies got it all wrong? James thinks they have. Zombie talk and more zombie talk. Emmys. Candice Bergen. Helen Mirren. Calista Flockhart's teeth. Kyra Sedgwick. Julia-Louis Dreyfus. ET. Jeremy Piven and Billy Bush. Joan Collins. Charlile's Angels. Tori Spelling. TV reporters acting like stars with schtick. Mark McGrath. Simon Cowell's cowfaced girlfriend. The View women as the Witches of Eastwick. Meredith Viera is warm breakfast muffins, says Fenton. She's yogurt, Nutella, and honey. George Bush is the Stacey Q of politics! We will see Katie's legs when she reads the news, promises Randy. Kyle XY and Kyle XY. Are Matt Dallas and Wentworth Miller an item? If Kyle XY doesn't have a belly button, says Fenton, perhaps he doesn't have an asshole either. Vanished. Prison Break. Actors like William Fichtner hopping from one show to another without a grace period. James Woods is a little delusional. The unseemly tragedy of poor Tara Reid at the velvet rope. Paris' album. Nicole Richie in Lionel's video. The extraordinary semireenactment of Celine Dion's show in Las Vegas. James explains Michael Jackson explained on VH1. High School Musical. Slutty vs wholesome. The increase of extreme body types. David Hockney's mother. And no mention of Oprah.
From the World of Wonder Test Kitchens: Squirrel Melt
We like to call it rodent on a raft. (t/y Sara)
Nailed It
Two takes on the Nine Inch Nails classic "Closer" – one by NIN, the other by Kirk and Spock. Cabin fever was never so feverish.
Tits for Tats
Paris Hilton was in Las Vegas this week for the Magic Convention and, as if under a magically evil spell, the mayor declared August 29 Paris Hilton Day all over the land and presented her with the key to the city. (We'll tell you right now that the key to the city is sticking with the nickel slots.) Hilton was avec entourage, of course: sister Nicky and Kim Stewart and a new member, the recently separated, pointy-headed former Blink 182 drummer cum reality star Travis Barker, whom she got reallyreallyreally drunk with at Pure before getting reallyreallyreally close with later at the Spearmint Rhino strip club. We hear she slipped him her key. We flat out don't care, but people are saying. (via Hollyscoop)
Of Interest
Family resemblance? WOWer Afsheen Family and his bow-wower Paddington. We don't see it, but our Ted the techie did, so t/y Ted.
Million Dollar Man
Last night a gaggle of WOWers made the trek to Malibu to attend the Million Dollar Listing premiere party, hosted by star of the show Scotty Brown. The real estate agent had assembled quite a crowd at the Malibu Inn, and before episode one aired he treated us to a DVD of his show highlights from the entire season. How'd you get your hands on that, Scotty? "I know people in high places." Bravo gave it to you? "No, NBC. I know people at the top." I suppose we shouldn't have been too surprised – the man is a master wheeler-dealer after all. The show started, the crowd cheered when Scotty came on the screen, and there were slaps on the back all round. A million dollar evening.
– Steven Corfe
(Photo: Scotty Brown with WOW story editor Afsheen Family)
Generation Kaboom
Coming to TV Land Tuesday, September 26, is Generation Boom, WOW's four-part series on the world of baby boomers – specifically how they play, live, love, and wire the world. With lots of fab vintage footage and clips of movies, TV shows, musicians, and sports idols that have entertained the boomer generation for over 50 years. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer, the series features, among others, Susan Sarandon, Rob Reiner, Cybil Shepherd, Tim Daly, Christie Brinkley, George Foreman, Willie Mays, Tom Clancy, Evander Holyfield, Penny Marshall, Mark Cuban, Don Johnson, Tony Danza, Cheryl Tiegs, Brian Williams, and Kathy Casy-Kirschling (the very first boomer). Yahoo has the whole story here.
How to 'Deal'
What is it about old men and Scarlett Johanssen? Or is that obvious. She's Woody Allen's most recent muse, starring in his last two movies, and now she's the subject of the faux '50s home-movie footage in the video that supports Bob Dylan's first single, "When the Deal Goes Down," off his wryly named Modern Times album. Watch it here.
Snap!
Not quite a nip slip, more like a double-sided-tape slip that allowed a glimpse of the outer edge of a Beyoncé areola. More pics at Popsugar)
Potty Mouth
So blah blah blah, Bush is droning on and on about the Katrina anniversary and we wish he'd shut up or lower his voice because we can't make out everything CNN anchor Kyra Phillips is saying to that other woman in the ladies room while she's peeing even though her accidentally still-live mike is clipped onto her. Something about great human beings being hard to find but they do exist and "he's married, three kids, but his wife's a control freak." Whose wife? Damn you, Bush, shut up. There's video, thanks to Hot Air. More importantly, there's audio.
The Picture of Dorian Couric
At left, CBS's $15 million-a-year newsanchor Katie Couric as she appeared at a promotional event at Carnegie Hall in May; at right, the official version of the photo in the network's in-house magazine. Couric seems to have lost about 20 pounds of perky fat, and the suit's been given a sophisticated tweak. "Besides Photoshop, the only other way to lose 20 pounds in a matter of seconds would be to hack off a limb," said a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Medical Center. Couric said she preferred the before picture. "There's more of me to love." Perhaps she thinks CBS is paying her by the pound. (NY Post)
Putting Out the Fire
Lindsay Lohan visited the manicurist the other day. And she also got a pedicure. Which begs the question of her newly darkened hair and the status of her very public pubic area, the so-called "fire crotch." Did Lohan mix herself a double batch to have a snatch to match? (Photo via X17online)
What a Peaches
We love it when a celeb kid goes bad. Peaches Geldof is the latest to attract the wrath of Middle England. When the kid is so annoying in other ways, like making documentaries about things she knows nuffin' about, like Islam, spouting off about the inner workings of her teenage mind and cluttering up my local pubs when she's underage, I really couldn't care less that she was snapped with a Vix Inhaler near her nose. Or, more likely, a rolled-up fag. The press demands, is she turning out like her ma? I don't see the similarity myself. Paula was quite a lot smaller for starts.
– Cat McShane
Burns Unit
What's put that whopping smile on Pete's face? Reclined back on the sofa, bathed in the last of the summer sun, Pete reflects on life finally getting back on track, however briefly. He's got tracks laid down in the studio, media and music requests are coming out of his ears, and he's looking fabulous. Hmm, maybe it's time to celebrate. Crack open that bottle guys!
– Cat McShane
August 29, 2006
For Whom the Bell Rings
Wednesday's Ring My Bell guest is Carmen, a hot transsexual cheerleader who is going to spice up the RMB room between 11AM and 12PM PST. Call her on 323 603-6312 to ask her anything – and see pretty much anything, from what I've been told – and remember to watch it all live at www.ringmybell.tv.
Celebrities at Large
It always warms my heart when I discover that I have something in common with a celebrity, like a shared birthday or a penchant for Gold Bond powder après showertime. So imagine my joy when I saw sweaty sitcom sidekick and real-life butterball Wayne Knight sitting outside my neighborhood coffee shop (Buzz Coffee on Beverly Boulevard) late yesterday morning. Even better, the chub-encrusted character actor was enjoying my usual breakfast (a small cup of coffee and a plain croissant). I’ve never really cared for Wayne’s characters – notably Newman, the fat, greedy postman on Seinfeld who was eaten alive by his jealousy over Jerry’s success, and Officer Don Orville, the unlikely Lothario on 3rd Rock from the Sun who was eaten alive by his self-aggrandizing ego – but knowing that he and I share just a little something in common makes me feel like a star. An overweight, raspy-voiced star who sweats when he eats and wheezes bits of croissant all over his bib-style shirt, but a star nonetheless. Sigh.
– Chris May
Like a Virgin
A couple of things Britney and K-Fed left on their plates at a record label function at a "fancy schmancy" hotel in downtown LA. The buffet had an array of food, from "4 star style entrees to deep fried goodness." The egg salad sandwich is Brit's and the corndog is Kev's. Now, through the wonder of eBay, they can be yours. One of the cater waiters at the event has carefully vacuum sealed the edibles and written a detailed provenance. Bidding has reached $80 as of this posting.
The Corndog
Kevin Federline had a few things to eat that night, but the only leftover item I managed to pick up from him was this corn dog. Kevin had two bites of the corndog and then set it down. Later I went to clear their plates with it, and as I was picking up the plate Britney picked it up really quick giggled and said "I can't let that go to waste" and quickly took a big bite off of the stick end of the corn dog. I was still standing there holding the plate, not quite sure what to do because Britney Spears was stealing corn dogs off the plate I was pulling away. She finished her bite and put it back on the plate I was holding and said "thanks!".
The sealing process
I had immediately put the two pieces in a carry home box when I got to the kitchen, then into my bag. When I got home, I pulled out the camera, took a few before shots, then vacuum sealed them right away. The vacuum sealer preserves items such as this for years and years.
Song Sung New
This is the first time we've come across this, and it's been Tubing since the end of June. A quarter of a million people have enjoyed Mat Weddle's fresh new cover of OutKast's "Hey Ya." We never knew the dance song had such lovely, folksong-style lyrics. We're going to guess that that's Mat Weddle of Obadiah Parker on the left in a studio video and, on the right, the duo Obadiah Parker live at what looks like a motel. But we're just guessing. One thing we know for certain is that you'll correct us if we're wrong. Watch at YouTube. (t/y Eduardo)
Crystal Ball
I owe a lot to The Adam & Joe Show. I spent my formative years in England staying up late to watch their show, and it's probably down to A&J that I set my heart on working at World of Wonder and escaping my inevitable future down a Yorkshire coal mine. So it's nice to see Adam & Joe enjoying something of a revival on YouTube, with their Star Wars: The Crystal Maze video being viewed half a million times since being posted seven days ago, reaching number two on the charts – the second most popular YouTube clip IN THE WORLD! Second only to a film of a cat running round in a wheel.
– Steven Corfe
Million Dollar Posting 2
Meet Dia & Ray, married Hollywood Hills superagents. As WOW's Million Dollar Listing series on Bravo gets ready to air tonight at 9, Ray and Dia, in this special webisode, look back on what it was like being filmed by our crews and explain how you get treated when there's a camera following you around. (Watch the clip)
Meanwhile, the 6-part series is already getting reviews that are making us house-proud. Read what the critics have to say, after the jump.
More...The House That Dripped Blood
The house in Holcomb, Kansas, that was the scene of bloody murder in 1959, and made famous in a genre-busting book (In Cold Blood) and three movies (In Cold Blood, Capote, Infamous), is up for sale. Its original owners, the four-member Clutter family, were shot and stabbed to death at the crack of dawn by two misinformed men hoping to find a great deal of money in a safe. (via Towleroad)
The house is currently owned by Donna and Leonard Mader. The Maders took ownership of the house in 1990 and are the third owners of the historic Clutter House. One of the Maders' neighbors, Sonnie Baird, states, "It's like the Amityville Horror House in New York or J.R. Ewing's house outside Dallas."
For Whom The Bell Rings: Scotty Brown
This morning's guest on Ring My Bell is Scotty Brown, former nightclub owner turned real estate agent, and star of Million Dollar Listing airing on Bravo tonight night at 9/8c. Call 323 603-6312 between 11AM and 12PM PST to speak with Scotty, and watch it all live at www.ringmybell.tv.
Snap!
Sometimes, fasting makes you so lightheaded you just feel like dancing. Here, Nicole Richie attempts an impromptu barrel turn she remembers from childhood tap class while out on a stroll with boyfriend Brody Jenner. (Photo via Socialite's Life)
Hilton Headline
Sorry to bring her up again but, like war, famine, and cargo shorts, she's not going away anytime soon. Currently, Paris Hilton is nixing actor after actor to play opposite her in her new film The Hottie and the Nottie (please, God, tell us she's the nottie). Dozens have auditioned, but no one has been cast yet. "A few have made it to a screen test with Paris," said someone in the know, "but either the producers aren't happy or, more often, Paris has a problem with them. She is as picky with the men in her movies as she is in real life." They were being sarcastic, right? The film will be directed by Tom Putnam, but Hilton said recently, "I don't know who is directing. All I know is I'm the star." If this dumb act of hers is an act, as she claims, it must be method acting. (Life Style Extra)
Harpy Birthday
Angelina Jolie reportedly upset Brad Pitt's teetotaling parents by having an open bar at their grandson Maddox's birthday party. Brad's folks traveled from Missouri especially for the kid's fifth birthday, but it's said that Jolie virtually ignored them and upset Jane Pitt by providing alcohol and being intoxicated. The Pitts flew home two days earlier than expected. "Things were very tense that weekend, and they left with an even worse impression of Angelina than before," said a source. "They think she is tactless and doesn't consider other people's feelings." Well, at least it wasn't a cash bar. (Starpulse)
The Overnights
• US Marines guarding Saddam Hussein during his trial forced him to watch "repeatedly" the animated film South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, in which the dictator is depicted as Satan's fuck buddy.
• John Mayer cancels show due to laryngitis. Would fans have noticed?
• That explains it. The Vatican's chief exorcist says Adolf Hitler and Stalin were possessed by the devil.
• Al Reynolds parties with young men "in tight pants" in attempt to secure work for Star Jones.
• Cruise and Wagner, still insisting they were planning to leave Paramount before they were let go, sign two-year deal with owner of the Washington Redskins that will provide financing "well under $10 million."
• Sarah Jessica Parker's husband, Matthew Broderick, and Ringo Starr's wife, Barbara Bach, break bones in separate incidents involving horses. What are the odds?
• Kevin Federline to guest-star on an upcoming episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. If his acting is anything like his rapping, his scenes will be the crime.
• Schoolteacher John Mark Karr, who does a killer impression of Katharine Hepburn, wants Johnny Depp to play him if there's a movie.
• Meredith Viera calls The View "a joke," then recants.
• Paris when she fizzles. Paris Hilton's debut CD tanks on charts (bottom 100) and in stores (75,000 sold).
August 28, 2006
Shameless Plug
Been wondering what the students from TransGeneration have been up to since you saw them last? Well, wonder no more, because Gabbie, Lucas, Raci, and TJ have reunited for TransGeneration Reunion, a special where-are-they-now episode airing tonight on Sundance at 10PM E/P. Check out the students' cool photo diaries on the Sundance website, with new boyfriends, surgery pics, and tranny picnics a-plenty.
Crocodile Rock
When I first read this story about a reptile expert writing an outraged letter to Beyoncé for the cruel treatment of an alligator on her new album cover photoshoot, I dismissed it as noisy nonsense from those nuts at PETA. But then I tracked down a sneak-preview of the album cover, and I think those PETA folk might have a point.
– Steven Corfe
Trouble In Taradise
TMZ has a cruelly amusing clip of Tara Reid being denied entrance to trendy club Hyde. Even funnier is watching poor Tara visibly deflate as Paris Hilton arrives and swaggers straight in. Weren't these two, like, BFF last week? Throw the poor dog a bone, Paris.
– Steven Corfe
The Half-a-Million-Dollar Smile
Our friend Lisa Edelstein was invited to the Emmys this year because her show, House, was nominated in the Best Drama Series category. She took her mom, Bonnie, as her date but armed security guard, Jeff, tailed them. Edelstein was wearing $500,000 white and yellow diamond earrings on loan from Chopard and Chopard sent Jeff, the accessory's accessory, to the ceremony to look after the ice. Jeff was unable to keep a low profile, though; everytime Edelstein was interviewed, she'd exclaim, "My earrings are worth half a million dollars – and guess what comes with them! This is Jeff."
Lopez Dispenser
In July, TV Guide revealed that Mario Lopez was going to play an "infuriatingly fit" gay plastic surgeon who has an erotic encounter with Julian McMahon's character at the gym on the new season of FX's Nip/Tuck, beginning September 5. Now here's a glimpse of that encounter. We think we may have to start watching again. (t/y MostProper for the news and pic)
Madvertising
Randy noticed that lately Madonna seems to be falling down the retail ladder and hitting every rung on the way down. He asked me to envision the next stage of this progression. (Pictured above, in chronological order: Versace, Gap, H&M.) What's next? Target? Kmart? Or, perish the thought, could Madge find herself working for the Waltons? Click to enlarge.
–Ted Kupper
For Whom The Bell Rings: Sean Conroy
This morning's Ring My Bell guest is Sean Conroy, stand-up comedian from such such shows as Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Call 323 603-6312 between 11AM and 12PM PST to speak with the funny man, and watch it all live at www.ringmybell.tv.
Career, Interrupted
Winona Ryder appears to have a case of sour grapes in her most recent Entertainment Weekly interview:
EW: Why haven't you done a big Hollywood movie in years?
WR: I hate it when actors talk about independent films when the truth is that they can't get studio jobs. [Laughs] So, I'll make it clear, it's a choice. I've been getting offers, but I'd rather not work, frankly, than do something that isn't great.
Sure, Winona, the offers are flooding in. You're just picky.
– Steven Corfe
About Last Night
That Emmy awards presentation last night was about what you'd expect from an awards show, but slightly less boring, even amusing at times. (Long live Conan!) A few moments stood out for us. We were appalled at sleazy, always inappropriate Simon Cowell, who showed up to introduce the segment honoring Dick Clark wearing a shirt unbuttoned so far down that fur was showing, as if he were at a singles bar instead of a formal awards ceremony. He is a disgusting man; we're sure Paula Abdul wasn't joking when she said he wears pushup T-shirts. Then there was the 62-year-old hip-disabled trouper, Barry Manilow, singing and dancing and winning Emmys with a face so botoxed and remodeled it looked like a puppet's. Is it just us, or did the reunited original Charlie's Angels ladies look kinda hot? And Molly over at Mollygood thoughtfully TiVoed The Office's Mindy Kaling's nip slip when the cast assembled onstage to accept its Best Comedy trophy. And we couldn't help it but every time Kiefer Sutherland was onscreen or accepting awards for 24 all we could think of was this image.
August 26, 2006
21st-Century Vox
21 Things I Hate
It has been said that there is no such thing as love without hate. Now in real life, to be honest, I very rarely care enough about things to truly HATE them, but I figured it would be fun to list some things I, um… really dislike. I hope that you will add to the list 'cause I love to know what other people hate.
More...August 25, 2006
Sitings
• Porn for book nerds. Gorgeous photo after luscious photo of Red Hot and Filthy Library Smut. (t/y Nick)
• Polaroids of ladies trying out for dancing jobs at a California strip club in the '60s and early '70s, plus some fierce fashion photos from the period. (t/y Nick)
• A cartoon, NSFW (via TheBlueThing.com)
• Pug dogs dressed as famous people, from Genghis Kahn to Napoleon. (t/y Nick)
