A Little of the Old In and Out

In: Penelope Cruz. According to Ted Casablancas, Penelope Cruz either is or is not still going out with Tom Cruise (thanks Teddy). Whatever the case, Cruz is reeling over yesterday's disgusting terrorist attacks in Spain. According to Rush and Molloy:

"'She's very upset about it,' her rep told us yesterday. 'Penelope is in Rome, promoting her movie Don't Move. She's been on the phone with friends and family, making sure they're all okay. We think everyone is safe.'"

Out: Britney Murphy. Okay, is it just me or is there something really, really scary about those big haunting brown eyes of Britney Murphy, peering out from that gigantic little old lady head. I didn't want to say this out loud, but she really creeps me out, she harshes on my mellow. Apparently my instincts were correct. Jeannette Walls writes:

"Some reporters got more than they bargained for when they tried to interview Brittany Murphy at a recent junket.

"(Murphy) ... was in the U.K. promoting her new flick, 'Uptown Girl,' when she shocked journalists with what one source describes as 'really erratic behavior.' At one point, Murphy lay down on the floor, declared that she was tired of everyone looking at her, and put a napkin on her face. She also reportedly grabbed a reporter�s hand, told her she looked cold, clasped and rubbed it, until the flummoxed journalist asked Murphy to release her hand so she could write. One TV crew left in despair, according to a report, after failing to get an interview because Murphy kept bursting into song rather than answer questions.

"Murphy�s rep initially denied the reports, calling them 'ridiculous' and telling The Scoop that she was with the star throughout the junket. When pressed, however, she conceded that she was outside the room for some of the interviews. 'Brittany�s just a really sweet person,' the spokeswoman told The Scoop. 'You know how some people have that wall built? She�s very warm and welcoming. She�s an outgoing person. She�s not one of those people who sits there cold in a chair.'� Freak!

In: Patrick Swayze. He's so in he was never out; Patrick Swayze is the new black: he's like the wind. According to Fashion Wire Daily, "For a few excitable patrons of Miami�s Soho Lounge this past Saturday night, the eventual question of the evening was 'Where is Patrick Swayze now?' Seemingly the most absurd celebrity sighting possible at the Revolver party, a weekly indie rock and dance party in the hip but quiet Design District neighborhood, it nonetheless inspired a handful of clubgoers to traipse through various rooms inside the club in search of the famous actor."

Seriously, though, lets all rally together to reignite Swayze's career. Then, maybe, we can do a little something-something for "The Gute" Steve Gutenberg.

Out: Crack is out. Way out. Don't you listen to Whitney Houston? (sotto voce) Crack is wack. Apparently 96 year old Julia Roberts wasn't listening to Whitney's aria. Oh, no: and look what happened. The senior, born February 3, 1908, at the turn of the century, back when horse drawn buggies sped across the landscape, "was busted Monday along with a few younger relatives/cohorts for running a drug operation out of her home." The guys at smokinggun work hard for their money, and we never treat them right.

In: Editor and Publisher. The guys at Editor and Publisher, Greg Mitchell in particular, really got out and grabbed the Jayson Blair story. They asked the tough questions of Blair, of the media, and of the people who were supposed to be tough, but ended up soft -- Chris Matthews, Bill O'Rielly, Larry King. Editor and Publisher had a strong hard week of media reporting, enjoy the weekend, you deserve it.

Out: John McCain as Kerry's running mate. How many times did the poor guy have to denounce that rumor? He did it on Stephanopouos, guys. And yet all week the whisper became audible chatter became shouting and, finally, yesterday, the Republican Senator of Arizona put an end to the speculation. Just like he already did on Sunday on Stephanopoulos.