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Gawker

  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Gossip_Girl_Wraps_Filming_On_Its_Ark_of_the_Covenant_Story_Line__Open_Caption_'

    Gossip Girl Wraps Filming On Its Ark of the Covenant Story Line [Open Caption]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 3:23pm CDT by Richard
    Tags:  Gossip girl  

    [Leighton Meester on location in New York City today; image via INF]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Buzz_Bissinger_Will_Abuse_You_Into_Civility__Serious_Business_'

    Buzz Bissinger Will Abuse You Into Civility [Serious Business]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 3:19pm CDT by Pareene
    Tags:  biliousness  

    newVideoPlayer("sports_spin.flv", 463, 387,""); Friday Night Lights author Buzz Bissinger hates the internet. Deadspin editor Will Leitch, despite also having written books (printed on paper and everything!) represents the internet, as a whole. So Bob Costas sat Will down with Bissinger (and, for some reason, Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards) so that Bissinger could yell at Will for ten minutes and call him "full of shit," among other things. Costas just kinda smugly encourages the whole mess. Will is apparently to blame for the existence of photos of Matt Leinert partying, which Costas seems to think were dug up from someone's trash. And Buzz cannot stop cursing and interrupting and shouting in his vitriolic attack on the uncouth, anti-journalistic rudeness of bloggers, an irony he apparently does not give two shits about. Will! The nicest Gawker Media editor! This, along with our hideous physical deformities, is why we don't do television. Clip attached (in case YouTube's disappears).


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/P_G_Asks__Is_It_Okay_To_Be_Seen_With_Rappers___Advertising_'

    P&G Asks: Is It Okay To Be Seen With Rappers? [Advertising]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 3:13pm CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  Advertising  

    hiphopsucks.jpegIn an apparent response to a crazy, shrill right wing campaign by the "Parents Television Council" to get companies to pull their ads from hip hop TV shows like Rap City, Procter&Gamble—the world's biggest advertiser—has set up a hotline for consumers to call and weigh in on whether they're offended by seeing ads for Tide detergent on 106 & Park, or whatever [AllHipHop via MultiCultClassics]. This campaign goes to the heart of the controversial question: should corporate America give money to things associated with black people?

    The only positive thing about all of this is the speculation that a negative response could endanger rap mogul Jermaine Dupri's awful TAG Body Spray record label. Okay, great. But really: Why don't you go play outside for once, Parents Television Council? And while you're out there, get a life. Get back to us when you've succeeded in removing all advertising from offensive shows run by white people, too. Start with Gossip Girl, and work your way down. [UPDATE: As noted in the comments, P&G is also looking for a ruling from the public on gay kissing .]

    Here's how to do your part:

    Call 1-800-331-3774.

    "Hello, P&G? You better fucking advertise on these shows, or I will fuck you up. Offensive content, my butt."


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/J._D._Salinger_Hates_Indiana_Jones___Recluses_'

    J. D. Salinger Hates Indiana Jones! [Recluses]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 2:42pm CDT by Pareene
    Tags:  franny and Zooey the kingdom  

    salinger.jpgReclusive cult novelist J.D. Salinger hated fun. In a 1981 letter to his then-ladyfriend, he wrote: "I got hooked into seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark, which might be excused for its unwitty, unfunny awful socko-ness if it had been put together by Harvard Lampoon seniors." Jeez, J.D.. Not since Pynchon trashed Return of the Jedi in Vineland have we been so shocked by a reclusive novelist's distaste for classic '80s blockbusters. [Sly Oyster]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/New_ASME_Prez_Runs_Things___'

    New ASME Prez Runs Things []

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 2:11pm CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  Magazines  

    The American Society of Magazine Editors has elected David Willey, the editor of Runner's World, as its new president. That's right: he'll be running the group. Ha... eh.


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Butt_Smuggling_Is_A_Great_Business__Crime_'

    Butt Smuggling Is A Great Business [Crime]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 2:06pm CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  Cigarettes  

    cigsmuggling.jpegAny smoker who moved to New York from another state has probably reflected on the fact that they could make a lot of easy cash just by filling up a U-Haul truck with cheap cigarettes from back home and driving them into the city. And boy would they be right! Congressman Peter King has helpfully crunched the numbers for an editorial in the Post today, and now we are seriously considering getting into the Newport-smuggling business full time. Upside: you can make $50K in a single trip. Downside: according to Peter King, you will probably use that money to finance "another 9/11-style attack." Also: Peter King loves to use the phrase "butt-smuggler":

    The profit margins for cigarette smugglers are staggering. In New York City, where cartons must sell for a minimum of $70, a smuggler can make more than $50,000 on a 1,500-carton load. A well-organized ring can generate $200,000 to $300,000 a week.

    Sweet! But wait:

    Many cigarette-smuggling rings are now sending their profits to overseas terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah. The report identifies three recent cases where cigarette smugglers had ties to such groups. In one case, convicted butt-smuggler Mohamad Hammoud made more than $8 million from 2000 to 2002 - and funneled at least $100,000 to Hezbollah. Officials estimate that these smugglers are sending millions a year to overseas terror networks...

    The $50,000-plus from just one contraband load would be enough to fund as many as 10 USS Cole bombings. In just several weeks of butt-smuggling, a motivated terrorist cell could generate enough to fund another 9/11-style attack (estimated operational cost: $500,000).


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Aleksey_Vayner_Is_a_Street_Fightin__Man__Douchebag_Hall_Of_Fame_'

    Aleksey Vayner Is a Street-Fightin' Man [Douchebag Hall Of Fame]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 1:48pm CDT by Sheila
    Tags:  Aleksey Vayner  

    vayner2.jpgOnce upon a time, a junior Yalie named Aleksey Vayner sent a C.V. with a link to a hubristic, ill-advised "video resume" to a Wall Street bank. It featured him lifting weights, doing judo, and spewing truisms about the nature of success. He was mocked, but he followed his own advice: failure is simply not an option. (He wrote a self-help book.) Now he's back on the internets, "helping" us about the "latest trends in hedge funds" and "how to win a street fight." Weird: if you read his advice on winning a street fight correctly, you can also find information on how to survive, say, life in the New York media mob:

    The real question is how do you survive a street fight?

    Do not fight. Avoid physical confrontation at all cost... ONLY IF the fight is absolutely unavoidable, here are a few other suggestions:

    * Do not say a single word. Look directly into the person's eyes while remaining as composed as possible. Take your weight slightly off your heels.

    The silence alone might save you while the other guy is thinking why you are so composed, why don't you say a word, you probably know something he does not, you might be a very good fighter etc. Let the silence psyche the person out.

    * Do not focus on wining the fight!

    If you are focused on winning a fight, and are inexperienced, you will tense up and will not see the dirty moves that are coming your way. Your objective in the fight should be to protect yourself and to get out in the first possible window of opportunity.
    We have a lot to look forward to with this blog! Also, Vayner promises to dish in the future: "A few of you also mentioned that I am not as personable in my writing as I am in real life, and that I don't write often enough. I will make sure that some entries are more personal than others."



  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Tips_On_Street_Fighting_from_Yale_Fantasist_Aleksey_Vayner__Douchebag_Hall_Of_Fame_'

    Tips On Street Fighting from Yale Fantasist Aleksey Vayner [Douchebag Hall Of Fame]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 1:48pm CDT by Sheila
    Tags:  Aleksey Vayner  

    vayner2.jpgOnce upon a time, a junior Yalie named Aleksey Vayner sent a C.V. with a link to a hubristic, ill-advised "video resume" to a Wall Street bank. It featured him lifting weights, doing judo, and spewing truisms about the nature of success. He was mocked, but he followed his own advice: failure is simply not an option. (He wrote a self-help book.) Now he's back on the internets, "helping" us about the "latest trends in hedge funds" and "how to win a street fight." Weird: if you read his advice on winning a street fight correctly, you can also find information on how to survive, say, life in the New York media mob:

    The real question is how do you survive a street fight?

    Do not fight. Avoid physical confrontation at all cost... ONLY IF the fight is absolutely unavoidable, here are a few other suggestions:

    * Do not say a single word. Look directly into the person's eyes while remaining as composed as possible. Take your weight slightly off your heels.

    The silence alone might save you while the other guy is thinking why you are so composed, why don't you say a word, you probably know something he does not, you might be a very good fighter etc. Let the silence psyche the person out.

    * Do not focus on wining the fight!

    If you are focused on winning a fight, and are inexperienced, you will tense up and will not see the dirty moves that are coming your way. Your objective in the fight should be to protect yourself and to get out in the first possible window of opportunity.
    We have a lot to look forward to with this blog! Also, Vayner promises to dish in the future: "A few of you also mentioned that I am not as personable in my writing as I am in real life, and that I don't write often enough. I will make sure that some entries are more personal than others."



  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Ivy_League_Lawsuit_Update__Priya_Venkatesan_'

    Ivy League Lawsuit Update [Priya Venkatesan]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 1:23pm CDT by Pareene
    Tags:  Dartmouth  

    dartmouth.jpgIn case you hadn't heard, Dartmouth lecturer Priya Venkatesan has dropped the discrimination lawsuit she inexplicably filed against her former students. Hopefully it'll still all end up in the book! (Complete with thinly-veiled Gawker, if we're lucky.) Venkatesan is now a research assistant at Northwestern, btw. [Dartlog]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Vanity_Fair_Fashion_Director_Can_Add_Self_To__Stylish_Casualties__List__Michael_Roberts_'

    Vanity Fair Fashion Director Can Add Self To "Stylish Casualties" List [Michael Roberts]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 1:02pm CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  authors  

    michaelroberts.jpegMichael Roberts, the Vanity Fair fashion and style director who attributed the uproar over the sexy Miley Cyrus photos to unsophisticated Americans who don't handle "chic pictures" as well as his fellow Europeans, is not just dispensing cultural criticism through the media: he has a book coming out! And in a fun coincidence, the 112-page tome is going to be called Fashion Victims: The Catty Catalogue of Stylish Casualties, from A to Z. Perhaps he'll add a section addressing the fact that "The whole kiddie porn prurient angle seems to be worryingly sour grapes from other magazines that didn't get a picture like this." After all, at Vanity Fair "We don't do cheesy teen pictures. We do chic pictures and pictures that are beautiful portraits." Alrighty then. Just for kicks, another now-ironic quote from last October's Telegraph profile of Roberts:

    When I ask him his verdict on the recent somewhat controversial Marc Jacobs show at New York Fashion Week (the controversy was as much to do with Jacobs' angry reaction to complaints about the show's late start as his decision to begin it backwards, with his own bow), Roberts assumes a characteristically quizzical gaze. 'It was kind of a nothing, frankly,' he says, in a tone that swoops between a laconic upper-class English drawl and more emphatic transatlantic vowels. 'I think he's getting a little bit spoilt. No one is above criticism... What is worrying with Marc is that he used to be very iconoclastic - he wasn't afraid of speaking his mind or frightened of the establishment when he was doing grunge - so for him to do this whole thing, saying, "You can't criticise me," it's too bizarre.

    [pic via Vanity Fair]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Nerds_Scam_Bookstores_with_Crank_Call_Hoaxes__Books_'

    Nerds Scam Bookstores with Crank-Call Hoaxes [Books]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 12:57pm CDT by Sheila
    Tags:  Books  

    crankyankers.jpgHucksters are calling bookstores, pretending to be authors, and then hitting them up for money, http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-bookhoax29apr29,1,3678412.story
    ">reports the LA Times    . For example, someone might impersonate an author that will be reading at the store in a few days, asking for cash to get his car out of the impound lot. Big-hearted bookstore employees have fallen for the scams a few times, but no more: "They draw you in, and later you just feel so foolish."

    A similar trap almost caught Diesel's Evans, who was holding an annual summit of cookbook authors at his store in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood. A few hours before the event, someone who said he was Eric Gower, author of "The Breakaway Cook," called.
    "If it was Eric Gower," said Evans, "it was a highly altered Eric Gower. He was calling to say, 'I can't be there; my car was stolen. I left my keys in my car with my computer, and when I came back from getting something to open it with, there was nothing but broken glass. And the computer had all the pictures I have of my mother."

    ...the caller was inconsolable: "Then he very quickly changed gears to, 'So I need you to send $150 by Western Union, and I can give you all of the information.' He sounded freaked out, maybe he's high strung — you know how chefs can be."

    There are a bunch of these hoaxes occuring, often including the "pictures of my mother" line. WTF? Is someone out there teaching a class?


    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-bookhoax29apr29,1,3678412.story
    ">Hoaxes Hit Bookstores    [LA Times]




  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/TMZ_Continues_To_Be_a_Piece_Of_Shit__Shut_Up_'

    TMZ Continues To Be a Piece Of Shit [Shut Up]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 12:40pm CDT by Richard
    Tags:  Sex problems  

    I've already ranted about the hideousness of TMZ, so I'll spare you a repeat. But it is worth noting that they've once again thrown decency out the window and named (and pictured!) a minor involved in a possible statutory rape case. A fourteen-year-old son of a celebrity has apparently been having sex with an older woman, and TMZ thought it appropriate and fun to post his name and a picture (from when the poor kid was ten). Joke as you may about "what a lucky kid!" or whatever, but there are certain standards of practice (and legality?) in this "industry," and publishing the name of a minor, especially one involved in a sex abuse case, just ain't right.


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Today_In_Sad_Gays__Blogs_and_Ballads__The_Gays_'

    Today In Sad Gays: Blogs and Ballads [The Gays]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 12:22pm CDT by Richard
    Tags:  Clay Aiken  

    sadgay.jpgIt's Wednesday, and the gays are sad. As we stare out the window, pink rain spattering on the glass, and sip our tea with Valium crushed all up in it, we would like you all to know about it. Specifically, suspected (and, um, proven) geigh and American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken would like to sing about furtively masturbating to pictures of Chad Michael Murray while locked in a closet, and some sorta geigh (he dated Lance "On The Line" Bass) named Reichen Lehmkuhl (evidently that's a name) wants to teach us an important lesson. Clay was on QVC recently promoting a new album or haircut or line of products for lonely people. He sang his new song, subtly called "The Real Me," which includes lyrics like "Do I let it show, does anybody know?" (yes, dear) and "Living a charade, always on parade" (charades imply guessing, love). So yeah. That dude is blue. Reichen was apparently dumped by someone who was just into him for his massive, massive fame. He wrote a blog entry on his MySpace account saying things like "Never believe them when they say they're only going to sleep with you, especially when there is a social climbing opportunity in front of them." Oh how terrible. That must be a constant cross to bear for someone who was on Big Brother Amazing Race once. After the jump, find a video of Clay singing the sad gay bastard song, and get the full Reichen blog entry.

    Dating Tips for Hollywood Never believe them when they say they're in love with you.

    Never believe them when they tell you where their heart is.

    Never believe them when they say they're only going to sleep with you, especially when there is a social climbing opportunity in front of them.

    Never underestimate their need for celebrity, money, and fame.

    Never believe you can fix it by being true or nice.

    Never EVER believe love is more important to them than anything Hollywood.

    Don't date in Hollywood. Realize that for them, it's all BUSINESS.


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Financial_Gurus_Like_Hyundai_s_Checks__Are_Neutral_On_Their_Cars__Advertising_'

    Financial Gurus Like Hyundai's Checks, Are Neutral On Their Cars [Advertising]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 12:20pm CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  Advertising  

    hyundaiad.jpegLarry Winget: bald person, financial guru, Hyundai pitchman. He's one of several financial authors who appear incongruously in Hyundai's current ad campaign, which features some "normal" people who, upon seeing an anonymous man in a tie pop up behind them at a car dealership and offer advice, react by saying excitedly, "Hey! Aren't you [financial author] of [personal finance advice book]?!" Whereas a real person would probably kick them in the nuts. The funny thing is that bald financial guru and Hyundai pitchman Larry Winget now says he doesn't necessarily want people to buy Hyundais at all!

    None of us are suggesting that you immediately run out and buy a Hyundai or any other car. I know I am not. My point in doing the commercial is that IF you need a car at least buy one that has cash back and zero percent financing. And it is a reminder that a good car doesn't always come with a high price tag. All of the "gurus" agreed on those points.

    I'll tell you what all the "gurus" agreed on: your personal finance situation will be greatly enhanced by starring in Hyundai commercials. Here's Larry's commercial—is he suggesting you run out and buy this crappy car or what?


    [via Galleycat]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Anderson_Cooper___The_Most_Trusted_Name_in_Bears___Innuendo_'

    Anderson Cooper: "The Most Trusted Name in Bears" [Innuendo]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 11:58am CDT by Pareene
    Tags:  adorable  

    newVideoPlayer("AC_360_Bears.flv", 463, 387,""); CNN heartthrob Anderson Cooper devoted a couple minutes of his program to AN ADORABLE BEAR last night! Seriously. "Frankly I can watch this bear for hours," said Cooper. How does Anderson know so much about bears? His exciting answer to that question may be found in the attached clip! (We suspect he may be exaggerating the breadth of his knowledge.)


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/TV_Guide__Rumormonger_'

    TV Guide [Rumormonger]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 11:51am CDT by Nick Denton
    Tags:  Magazines  

    B00005Nimz.01.LzzzzzzzAnyone have news on the bloodshed at TV Guide in the wake of the merger of its parent company? We're hearing editor-in-chief Ian Birch, executive editor Steve Sonsky and managing editor Lois Draegin have all been dismissed from the TV listings magazine, but no confirmation. Email tips.


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Arianna_Huffington_Banned_From_Third_Place_Cable_News_Network__Banned_In_Dc_'

    Arianna Huffington Banned From Third-Place Cable News Network [Banned In Dc]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 11:48am CDT by Pareene
    Tags:  arianna huffington  

    Arianna Huffington has reportedly been BANISHED by NBC news—including MSNBC!—because her new book savagely criticizes NBC political honcho Tim Russert. Keith Kelly reports: "Sources said that Huffington was at a dinner in the home of Barbara Walters on Tuesday night when she heard that word had come down from on high that she no longer appear on NBC or MSNBC, where talk show hosts Keith Olbermann, Joe Scarborough and Dan Abrams were all interested in booking her." NBC's Phil Griffin claims to not know anything about it. We'd argue Arianna was just playing up a rumor she heard to publicize her book, but Griffin adds: "I know some people have issues with her as a guest, but it has nothing to do with the book." Say what you will about Arianna, but she's generally a great guest. So we'll take that as a confirmation. Arianna used to appear on Olbermann's and Dan Abrhams' shows fairly regularly, but her media schedule shows no forthcoming appearances. [NYP]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/ZOUNDS__MILEY_SPEAKS___'

    ZOUNDS! MILEY SPEAKS []

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 11:42am CDT by Hamilton Nolan
    Tags:  miley Cyrus  

    extra.jpeg"Good," she says. SCOOP. [Extra]


  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/_There_Was_Some_Sort_of_Scuffle___Kicked_Out_of_Brooklyn_s_Hipster_Kickball_League__Shut_Up__Brooklyn_'

    "There Was Some Sort of Scuffle": Kicked Out of Brooklyn's Hipster Kickball League [Shut Up, Brooklyn]

    Posted: April 30th, 2008, 11:31am CDT by Sheila
    Tags:  Hipsters  

    kickballkids.pngWalking home past McCarren Park in Brooklyn last Sunday evening, I witnessed something that I felt must be important, some sort of cultural shift or at least an indication of the Way We Live Now. The park was swarming with people, young people, milling around, shrieking, and blasting music. They were drinking beers outside, which is illegal (for non-whites.) Some were chasing their artfully scruffy dogs. Most were dressed up in crazy little outfits with components from American Apparel, headbands and shiny leggings. The men mostly had beards and were skinnier than the girls, somehow. Suddenly, a ball flew through the air, very close to my head. Oh my God: this was it. This was the famed Brooklyn hipster kickball league, in action. Now a kickball league member informs us: "There was some sort of scuffle last night..."

    "I only saw folks swarming on the main field, but I don't know any details about what happened." Oh noes! Apparently, the team that calls themselves Prison has been kicked out of the league: "[They've been] stigmatized since the beginning, for better or for worse. The only time we ever played them, they had pretty poor spirit. They seem to exude a Snape-ish anti-hero quality, but maybe that's just the black garb and comparably mopey haircuts talking."

    According to the Brooklyn Kickball's website:

    While the Umping Crew has to officially vote on this, it's likely [Prison] is no longer a team...

    I was distressed at your collective lack of progression, gratitude, and contrition. Why couldn't you just come and enjoy yourselves? Why do your players think it's cool to swarm around an ump like a pack of wolves when you don't like a call? You yell the entire time, and fine, it's mostly a free country for white people. However, you get enraged and play victim when people yell back. Then you have the unmitigated gall to lecture people on decorum and propriety.

    The world is not against you: you are your own worst enemies. You're always gonna think there's bias when a close call goes the other way, and this perceived injustice will always enable you to rationalize violence. Violence? AT A KICKBALL GAME? What's next, you're gonna start a tetherball brawl? You believe that [famed letter-writer] Kevin Dailey was against you, yet for all of last year's regular season, I let you guys get away with everything...

    But now, there's no room in this league for an endless cycle of abuse and forgiveness...Not anymore, not at McCarren Park on Sunday Nights.
    Not anymore, guys. "Next week," adds the website, "we'll have music to dance to."



  • Permalink for 'Gawker/2008/04/30/Well__This_Is_Still_Going_On__Open_Caption_'