May 30, 2008
Ed Magaña's Friday Vid Bits
Ed wows us this week with Mariah Carey throwing out the first ball at the Yomiuri Giants vs Rakuten Eagles match at Tokyo Dome with, ironically, no reach at all; a contestant on Canadian Idol delivering some sweet ass trumpeting; a sexual abuse PSA that plays out like a chilling documentary; and an absolutely magical infomercial for learning how to master the Internet.
Tyra Banks Talks to Lynn Hirschberg for the New York Times Magazine
TV's Tyra Banks, a professional model, demonstrates the seven basic smiles every model should be equipped with. But she says we simply aren't ready to see all 275. And because it's Tyra talking, there's so much more, including a stray hair removed fiercely from her eye. (NY Times; t/y Mark)
Welcome to the Jungle
According to Survival International, there are still 100 uncontacted indigenous tribes living in the world, half of them in Peru and Brazil. It's so hard to fathom that there's even a square foot of earth left that hasn't been trod on and littered by civilization, but these are pictures of an untouched people living in the Amazon rainforest on the border of Brazil and Peru. It makes us sad that now it can only be a matter of days before they're ruined – taught to read the Bible, made to cover their boobs and wieners in Gap, and forced to watch old episodes of Survivor while drinking lattes from the Starbucks in the clearing. (BBC)
Jazzus Saves
Michael Weinreich, an assistant editor here at World of Wonder, sent us a movie he wrote called Jesus Blues, the story of a guitar-playing Jesus, a homeless saxophonist, an alcoholic minister, a little girl, a clown, and some other stuff stuffed into a short film. A crowd pleaser, it won the Audience Choice and the Golden Reel Awards at UCSB's Reel Loud festival this year. Read this, if you like, and this, then take a look at the movie here.
Holly Hunter Caught in Sex and the City Snafu
A funny thing happened at Holly Hunter's Walk of Fame star ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard today. She was giving a sweet and sincere acceptance speech, thanking her dear friends Ed Harris, Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, and Billie Jean King for coming out to lend their support, when part-way through her speech a ruckus broke out in the crowd near the Roosevelt Hotel entrance. All heads turned to see a group of women, dressed to the nines, spilling out of the hotel lobby shouting "IT'S SARAH JESSICA PARKER! CARRIE! CARRIE!" Judging by their high spirits and even higher heels, they were en route to a Sex and the City screening someplace. And who can blame their Cosmo-addled minds, in the grip of Carrie Fever™, for mistaking Hunter for that other diminutive, scarily toned actress of a certain age. In any case, someone soon brought the girls up to speed on their error, and they made their way down the boulevard, clacking in their knock-off Jimmy Choos.
– Text and photos by Steven Corfe
More...Sigur Rós: "Gobbledigook"
The Icelandic band Sigur Rós sounds too much like Björk for our taste, but we're awfully fond of this full-frontal-naked-hippies video shot by Ryan McGinley for their new single "Gobbledigook." Probably because it reminds us a lot of last summer's World of Wonder company picnic in Elysian Park. You can watch a QuickTime of the video by clicking here. And thanks to OMGblog for bringing it to our attention. PS: It's only NSFW if you work in a fundamentalist Christian organization. (t/y Chris)
See Blake Run
Between runs, Blake receives a window-side visit from Thairin Smothers, chats on the phone with WOW receptionist Lindsey and with Steven Corfe, and gets driving directions from the friendly GPS voice in his iPhone.
Posh and Becks to Make Beautiful Wine Together
While Pete Wentz gave his new wife, Ashlee Simpson, a huge, specially commissioned 18,000-piece Lego bumblebee as a wedding present, David Beckham bought his insectlike wife, Victoria, an entire vineyard in California's Napa Valley for her birthday. The couple will bottle something called Chateau Posh, but plan to keep it all for themselves. Which is just as well. Knowing their backgrounds in music and sports, we assume it will have a spicy bouquet not unlike sangria. (Source)
Has Hollywood Forever Dug Its Own Grave?
James St James' most favoritest daytime hangout ever, Hollywood Forever, the happiest unhappiest place on earth, where he often lunches with Tyrone Power and does bumps with Barbara La Marr, may soon be a thing of the past. Seems the glamorous Cassity brothers from Missouri, Brent and Tyler, who turned the celebrity cemetery from a bare-bones graveyard into a manicured interactive park, are currently under investigation for some suspect business dealings in prepaid burials at their Midwest companies. And subsequently, the delightful atmosphere at their Los Angeles burial ground has been reigned in (no more taking photos?). Looks like James will be lunching at home now and snorting in less auspicious company. (LAist via Defamer)
Charlie and Brooke: Two and a Half Couple
While his bitter ex, Denise Richards, is still fixated on his penis and the sperm that flows from it, Charlie Sheen has been getting on with his life and getting it on with his girlfriend. He and Brooke Mueller will be tying the knot tonight and Mueller might already be pregnant. Richards has been told of the nups (Charlie wanted his daughters to be invited), but not the location. "Who knows? She may even crash the event with a camera crew," imagines the NY Daily News' Rush & Molloy. At least that would spice up one of Richards' pointless and boring reality show episodes..
Letter from Abu Dhabi (En Route)
Our sound guy Dustin Bath took this camera phone shot of the body cavity search I had to go thru in Germany during our layover. I just wanted to take that damn water bottle on the plane. No, it was not a six pack of Voss water. We had to go thru two security points and at the first one the guy wearing rubber gloves loudly snapped them with a smile when we came thru. It's nice to be in Abu Dhabi, nothing like that at all. I'm writing this drinking my water in peace. Stay tuned.
– Thairin Smothers
May 29, 2008
Don't You Wish Your Office Was Hot Like Ours?
If they're good enough for James St James, they're good enough for the WOW staffers. Crumbs made a special delivery to the WOW office today to help us celebrate birthdays for all the May babies. From giant Ho Hos to carrot cake delights, Crumbs still and always will be number one to us!
– Text and photos by Steve Sims
Recently Dead
Although this sketch from the Carol Burnett Show would seem to belong to Tim Conway's dentist, it wouldn't be half as hilarious if it weren't for Harvey Korman's inability to keep a straight face as the patient. The frequent pairing of these two men was comic genius on television during the '60s and '70s. Korman died today at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago and undergoing several major operations. He was 81
Podcast 5-28-08
James raves about former club kid Michael Tronn's 20-foot-high genitalia on display at an LA gallery. The show, he says, is sold out. We suspect he might be exaggerating about the size of the works and the number of sales. James and Fenton go over highlights from the opening of the "Dial M for Madonna" show at the WOW gallery: the clamor of press and cameras, the benefit of turning off the air conditioning, James' advice to the bartenders to get shit-faced and naked. Chuck Close as a Gap model. Fenton's tearsheets from a book showing fans of certain celebrities: Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Madonna, Radiohead, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson. Is Michael Alig responsible for Kim Kardashian's $25,000 fee for taking her photo with your cameraphone? "Celebrity's evolved to a unique level of pointlessness," says Fenton. He and James come to verbal blows over the content of Denise Richards' and Dina Lohan's reality shows. See Blake Run. Those Mayans and the crystal skulls. The years 2012 and 2014. Fenton reports on seeing The Police and Elvis Costello, which turns into a whole thing. "Rock 'n' roll," he says, once a young person's thing, "has become an old person's thing." Then he shocks James with his take on aging men vs aging women. Lydia brings out the "forever" burger from McDonald's, a science experiment she's conducting with Steven Corfe. The burger, bought on March 13 and left out untouched since then, hasn't deteriorated at all. A horrified Fenton says it reminds him of the foreskin of Jesus, which one of the popes "was testing for elasticity." And on that note....
Aiken and Eggs: How It Happened
A message strictly for all those Claymates and Aiken-for-its out there who have worked themselves way too near the dizzying hysterical edge of their bipolar disorders over the news that – "We told you so!" – Clay Aiken has made a woman pregnant. You may have told us so, but it ain't entirely so. The act of conception likely looked like the artist's rendering above. Only not as romantic.
On the Cuff
The Swarovsky crystal-studded cuff designed by Michael Schmidt for Madonna's "Drowned World" tour is on exhibit at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's "Dial M for Madonna" show. And featured today on the Madge-centric site, Madonnalicious.
LeBeouf's Undies: A Guide to Recognizing His Scents
Sadly, these items of underwear that Shia LeBeouf (natural successor to Jake Gyllenhaal) wore as young Dito in the film A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints have been removed from auction on eBay. The seller, who was offering "grey sweatpants, a pair of white breifs [sic] and ankle socks," claimed the highest bidder could "OWN SCREEN WORN SHIA UNDERWEAR! PLEASE NOTE: COSTUME IS 'AS IS' WHICH INCLUDES MAKEUP STAINS, DIRT; ETC! (Again, these items was worn and used for filming by Shia)" While we understand there could be stains (LeBeouf occasionally poops his pants), the possibility of makeup traces on LeBeouf's genitals or ankles has us puzzled. (via dlisted)
Rent Boys and Porn Stars in Water
I spent last Saturday with a ton of sizzling stud-boys scandalously frolicking in the scorching Palm Springs heat at the rent boy pool party. Everyone had an awesome good time at the Helios Resort AIDS fundraiser. Proceeds went to the The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who minister to those who are ill in the Palm Springs area. There were horny rent boys and sex-crazed porn stars alternating sweet and nasty, both above and below water, playing in Helios’ gorgeous swimming pool. Studly Nick Capra was giving out tastes to just about anyone who wanted a lick. I jockeyed for camera positions as scores of hotties strutted their stuff for all the desert horndawgs who came out to support the benefit. As the 115 degree heat built, the bar got busier and the boys got wilder. That’s when I got some of the best shots of my life. You can see all the arty hot and wet underwater stuff on my blog at philstjohnxxx.com. [Ed note: Seriously, NSFW]
– Text and photos by Phil ST John
More...Snap!
Our Thairin Smothers, on his way to Abu Dhabi with Pamela Anderson for World of Wonder's Pamela project, enjoyed his first meal of the day at 12:30 this morning. Developing.
Tori & Dean: Inn's Out, Hollywood's In
Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott, and little Liam showed up at Hollywood's tourist eatery Pink's this morning for a photo-op and some foot-longs with a mustard message. The family was promoting the third season of their popular Oxygen show, Tori & Dean: Inn Love, premiering June 17 with the new title Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood now that they've left the inn for more familiar surroundings. (Photo: Splash)
Jennifer to Unmarry Murray
Apparently not-so-lovable actor Bill Murray is being sued for divorce by Jennifer Butler Murray, his wife of 11 years and the mother of his four kids, because of his "adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behavior, physical abuse, sexual addictions, and frequent abandonment." She also also wants a restraining order barring Murray from her current residence in South Carolina, and would like the court to check into the enforceability of the prenup she signed which could make her $7 million richer. (Source)
Governor Patterson: Saint Elsewhere
David A Paterson, New York's first African-American governor and the first legally blind person to serve as governor of any state, has already begun to show that he is one of the few politicians in America to truly have the courage of his convictions. He has endorsed and adamantly supported Hillary Clinton for president even when it became politically unpopular to do so. And now the governor, a longtime vocal supporter of marriage rights for gay Americans, has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California, and Canada. As a New Yorker and a gay American, I couldn't be prouder. (NY Times; photo: Stewart Cairns/NYT)
– AguynamedWayne
Quote Unquote
"I'll have to ask him about that, Look what happened to people that disrespected me. Disrespectful people get knocked out. We're gonna look face-to-face, and if you wanna be a tough guy, a wise guy, you'll admit what you said. I have a saying: You treat me good, I'll treat you better. You treat me bad, I'll treat you worse. And when in doubt, knock 'em out." – tough-guy actor and former Hell's Angel, Chuck Zito, to Page Six, after getting a tip that a costar in the upcoming The Grasslands called him a "punchy-mugged terrible actor."
May 28, 2008
Down the Aisle
It's on! Unless the state Supreme Court issues a stay to the landmark ruling allowing same-sex marriage, gay couples will be allowed to wed in California beginning June 17. So if you're in California, and you love him (or her), then by all means, grab that broom and jump!
– AguynamedWayne
Itemizing
• The George Clooney-Sarah Larson romance is over and they've gone their separate ways. "The truth is that they had little in common and he just doesn't want to be tied down," said a blabbermouth close to the couple.
• Ex Sex Pistols star Johnny Rotten wants to write a song for Britney Spears. "She's been hurt," he said. "And hurt is the root core essence of good music." Root, core, and essence, Johnny? Well, overkill was the root core essence of punk, if we remember.
• Malawi's high court has approved Madonna's application to adopt David Banda, the African child who's been living in the Ritchie household for almost two years.
• A nanny reveals to Star magazine the scandalous pizza-and-chocolate breakfasts, the dart-gun wars, the midnight baths, the cacophony of different languages, and the general atmosphere of chaos in the Brad and Angelina household.
• Dunkin' Donuts pulled spokesperson Rachael Ray's most recent commercial when it was discovered she was wearing what looked like a keffiyeh, the traditional scarf of Arab terrorists.
Closing the Gap
If you need any further proof that "art" is the new "krumping," just check out this GINORMOUS billboard on the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Chuck Close? Really, Gap? Chuck Close in a Philip Glass T-shirt? "Old" meet "Creepy and Old." And how's that working for them? It's just odd to me that in our 'tween-obsessed culture, an ugly, 60-something man can still be the spokesperson for a youth-oriented company. If that's the case, art and artists must really be all the rage, right? Well, come on down to the WOW Storefront Gallery and decide for yourself! We got art galore! (Photo by Steven Corfe)
– James St James
Recently Dead
Dianne Odell, 61, who had been confined to an iron lung since she contracted polio at the age of three, died early today when her family was unable to get an emergency generator started after a power failure in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite spending her entire life in the seven-foot-long, 750-pound breathing machine like some kind of premature burial, Odell got a high-school diploma, took college courses, received an honorary doctorate, wrote a children's book, and was kissed on the forehead by Al Gore. She had been one of the oldest living patients in an iron lung. You really don't see them much anymore. (Source; more photos; t/y James)
Two Women
A couple of shots from a gallery of photos. We're not saying where they were taken, but the word "gallery" is a clue. Curious?
Sunset Strip
Remember this post from mid-April when Transamerican Love Story bachelor Jim Howley wrote that nude pics of himself got him kicked off MySpace but they'd be exhibited at a gallery in May? Well, it's May now and the show starts tomorrow at The Village, 1125 N McCadden Place, in Los Angeles (map). "Please come out and support me in all my half clothed glory!" says Jim.
Bite Me
View the latest trends at bite, the weekly UK Channel 4 show. See the bite girls get high, sticky, hairless, and flirty.
– Charlie Bettice, producer
Teen Takes Spirit Photo in Castle
A 14-year-old boy, visiting an 800-year-old haunted castle in Scotland (above) with his parents, inadvertently snapped a photo of what the family is certain is a ghost (below). "You can clearly see this ghostly figure on the staircase," said the boy's father when the shots were downloaded on the computer. "You can see a hand on the banister and what appears to be a white mist around it." We don't see it. But when Brad and Angelina heard the story they immediately bought the castle and adopted the ghost. (The Sun)
Of Interest
Lil' Kim before and Lil' Kim after. (After photo via dlisted)
He's Single
Al Reynolds is on the market again, ladies, and like chicken soup with a soda on the side he's hot and cool and ready to pleasure you. (Pretty on the Outside)
Good Morning
Although this is not an actual photo of us, it's an accurate depiction of how we're feeling so far today. (Source)
May 27, 2008
Not What You Expect
Nothing hotter than models with a bun in the oven. They are all the rage. (t/y Fenton)
Milk Chocolate
A Kristy Benjamin photo of the David Keeps chocolate Gaultier cone bra at the "Dial M for Madonna" show. Check out more photos on "Dial M" contributing artist Dave DeCaro's blog, Daveland Art. You can relax now; pretty sure this is the last of the "Dial M for Madonna" posts. Unless something else should come up.
The Daily Freak Show
James gets swept away by the excitement of the "Dial M For Madonna" opening night party. He talks fashion with RuPaul (in male garb), catches up with Heatherette's Richie Rich, learns which piece from the show Fenton Bailey purchased, and even gets the inside scoop on the hottest new trend sweeping the room if not the nation. Plus, Madonna Mike (from The Daily Freak Show episode 13) makes a cameo!
Pup Culture: Bad (Dog) Hair Day Edition
"Oh, it's postings like this that make me wish I had hair," says James St James. "Sigh." (Image via goldenfiddle)
Jena Malone and the Shoe
Before the long weekend, WOW staffers Kristin Rasmussen and Erin Hickman went to see actress Jena Malone (Saved, Donnie Darko) play the instrument she created.
Kristin: Erin and I went to check out Jena Malone and her shoe rock out in my friend's living room, and I would have to say Jena's probably the craziest person I've ever met.
Erin: I wouldn't say she's crazy, Kristin, I'd say she's "eccentric."
Kristin: You can use any euphemism you want – she's crazy. The music is brilliant, but she's crazy.
Erin: Crazy is different. She hasn't lost her grip on reality, she's just a little funky.
Kristin: Funky? She sings every other line of dialogue in conversation. I think that may be a little more than funky.
Erin: I think you just have a problem with sparkly green skirts.
Kristin: Whatever. In any case people should really listen to her music. It really was one of the most amazing performances I've ever been to. Even if she is a little funky.
(More info. Photo by Kerrie "the shoe CD stealing" Scher)
Dial M for Video
Cool video from PatrickM100 of the opening reception for the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's "Dial M for Madonna" group art show. Makes us wish we'd been there – and we were.
Let's Go Back to Amy's Pad
Mary J Blige is singing about PMS, celebrisluts are still flashing their vaginas, and now we have to look at Amy Winehouse's heavy-flow protection. And they say it's a man's world. (Photos of Winehouse on the rag: INF via dlisted)
Dirt Baby
Stewie Griffin's version of Dirt Nasty's "Baby Dick." Dirt Nasty and Family Guy – a match-up as deliciously inevitable as chocolate and peanut butter. (t/y David)
Just Ask Joey
Dear Joey My family thinks I'm gay. I am planning a trip this weekend to visit my father and stepmother. I have not been shy about my faghaggotry. Why should I? I love fags! However for the last two years as a resident of Corntown, Michigan, I have put dating and getting laid on the back burner. I simply find the pickins of C-town to be red in the neck. How do I approach this delema? My best friends live in Louisianna, and I plan to move there when I'm done with school. My family thinks I'm moving to be with my "gay" lover, when in actuality, we are only friends, and frankly lesbians scare the BeJesus out of me. And even if I was a dyke, shouldn't they be happy for me? They must want me to "get a man" like my sister, who's break ups end in PPO's. Thank you for your wisdom at my time of crisis.
[Name withheld]
More...Lindsay and Sam: Whatever 4 Ever
No less than Newsday is adding grist to the rumor mill that Lindsay Lohan's burgeoning lesbianism with openly Sapphic deejay-to-the-stars Samantha Ronson is leading to an official ceremony. Their public kiss on the lips may have been quite continental in Cannes, but it was the real thing Stateside and Lohan, 21, is allegedly sporting 30-year-old Ronson's engagement ring. Lohan, who's said to be living at Ronson's crib now that they're back in LA, reportedly has been calling herself Lindsay Ronson and has admitted she wants to marry the woman. Even Daddy Ronson is saying that Lohan's relationship with Ronson "is evident to anyone with half a brain," which he has. But, really, whatever.
Dial M for Madonna
Jennifer Colley at Ovation TV (where we found these photos) came to the cocktail reception for our everything-Madge art show on Friday. Says she: "This exhibit is sure to be very popular. As soon as I got there it was packed full of the hordes of fans and artists alike who flocked to get a gander at the "Halls of Madonna". That's what I'm calling it. Big Madonnas, small Madonnas, funny, sad, angry, dominatrix, Madonnas, "Everything exposed", come inside me Madonna, "I hate you, and I love you Madonna. Only thing missing was Madonna in the flesh but some would argue about that. You'll get an eye full of it for sure!"
Pictured: At top, Storefront corner in the rain; bottom left, ChadMichael Morrisette's (hard) candy pants in the Storefront window; at right, Bill Georgiou's Leda
Robert Muraine: He Made Memorial Weekend Memoriable
Over the long weekend we, bored but adventurous, watched all two-and-a-half hours of Fellini's 81/2 on DVD again – but this time in Italian without the distraction of English subtitles and, intermittently accessing the commentary, learned that the beautiful Anouk Aimee had her long and luscious eyelashes scissored in an attempt to make her unattractive. We also watched the amazing Robert Muraine's audition on So You Think You Can Dance, our new favorite reality show, which we'll be watching slavishly (if only to see the hilarious judges). We enjoyed Muraine twice: once on TiVo at a friend's house and again when the show was rebroadcast last night. We were sorry we didn't record it so we could watch him again to erase the foul images and voices of both Denise Richards and Dina Lohan from our head after tuning in to the launches of their vulgar reality shows last night. Both came off not only as the media whores they are, but also perhaps as actual whores.
Sean Avery: Fierce Fashionista
New York Ranger Sean Avery started his internship at Vogue last Monday, according to a report in the NY Post. Why? "I wanted to immerse myself in fashion," he told Women's Wear Daily. "I couldn't think of a better place to do it than Vogue." His first gig was presenting a FiFi award to Vera Wang at the Park Avenue Armory, and it's said he'll accompany Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley to the couture shows in Europe next month. And he might even show up soon on the cover of Vogue. Most interesting, though, is that he's being paid the "same minimum wage as the other interns," because since when do interns get paid?
Another Russian Penis
Red bull gives you wings. A speech given in Moscow last week on political unity by Gary Kasperov, onetime world chess champion turned Russia's Opposition Party candidate, was interrupted by a remote-control flying penis buzzing about the room. It was swatted down by security and the amused paparazzky caught its capture on tape. (t/y Wayne)
Madonna: To Dial For
Linda Simpson's My Comrade has a host of photos from Friday night's reception for the "Dial M for Madonna" art show at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery in Hollywood, shot by the lovely Miss Simpson herself. And she went that extra inch and provided captions, bless her.
OMG! OMG! She Loves James St James!
Karina Longworth in her Karina's Capsule column at NewTeeVee seems to really understand World of Wonder, the impact of WOW TV's The Daily Freak Show, and James St James' contribution to it, his recent stint interviewing American Idol fans outside the Nokia Theater, specifically. "As far as I’m concerned," she says, "St. James is the perfect man for such a job. The former club kid is now in his 40s, and his on-camera persona — droll and cynical, yet explosively (if not always sincerely) enthusiastic at unexpected moments — is like a cross between Pee-wee Herman and Andy Warhol. On steroids." That alone is a quote worthy of blurbing on the back of James' next book. But she goes on with more appreciation of his gift.
St. James cobbles an interview style out of a combination of genuine-seeming curiosity, over-it derision, and, most surprising, tough-love moralism. When any woman in the line over the age of 13 says she’s rooting for David Archuletta, St. James scolds her for being a child molester.
Next Up for Bilan: Eurovision Thong Contest
Russian pop star Dima Bilan won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia's Belgrade Arena on Sunday with his awful "Believe." Does that mean he won't be posing nude anymore? (t/y Dirk)
May 26, 2008
Why Fight Wi-Fi?
A group of annoying Santa Fe, New Mexico, citizens say they're allergic to wireless internet signals and want WiFi banned from public buildings. Said one afflicted man: "I get chest pain and it doesn't go away right away." Well, WiFi's not going away either, said Santa Fe's city councilor, pointing out the city's WiFi saturation. "It's not 1692, it's 2008. Santa Fe needs to embrace this technology." That's why they make Allerest. (Source)