A Little of the Old In and Out



(image via ew.com)

In: Howard Stern. Howard's recent Entertainment Weekly cover story is one of the best he's done yet. His clear enthusiasm for the new media ventures come through. The piece comes at the heels of the newly-chastened David Lee Roth (see: AP article), who, by Infinity Radio edict, must at present curb his enthusiasms and read and comment on the news only. That sort of ties into Stern's pet thoery that Viacom is rough on their "Talent." (Not too long ago Les Moonves took the unorthodox approach of firing CSI workers asking for pay raises).

In contrast to the shackled David Lee Roth comes the libertarian Stern. From EW:

"ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How is your life different now from a year ago?

"STERN: First of all, I'm genuinely happy at work. I realize now I must have been in a depression for 10 years. I feel like my flow is back. The show is funny again, because what I got famous for was talking about edgy things. People used to say to me all the time, how come you don't do this or that? I couldn't. The FCC was up my ass. After the first fines, I'd fight every day. By the third set of fines, I didn't even get a say. I gave up. I went, ''I can't fight this anymore.'' I never knew such misery in my career. It pressures you in a way that is unbelievable. It is like racketeering. They don't let [the stations] do business, or renew their license until they pay those fines. They're like mobsters. You cannot win against the government.... When it gets closer to an election, the fines really start flying. It's the only way the government can look like it's doing something. Between the environmental issues, the war, the economy, and people suffering, what one thing can they do? They can scream about abortions, and scream about filth on the airwaves. It's all a f---ing smoke screen."

The full interview here.



(image via cnn)

Out: Treasury Secretary John Snow. When will Secretary of the Treasury John Snow vacate? Vamoose? Exit: Stage Right? (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment)

We have been hearing for months -- Since the mishandled Dubai Ports deal -- that he's on his way out, ass-dragging, but Snow has been digging in his heels resisting pressure to clear his office. Is he trying to have a say in his replacement (and, thus, his historical legacy at Treasury?) According to the perfect Dickensian villain, Robert Novak:

"Senior officials at the Treasury report that Secretary John Snow is vowing he will not resign his post if it means he would be replaced even temporarily by Deputy Secretary Robert Kimmit.

"Kimmit, a protege of former Secretary James Baker, antagonized Snow and other Treasury colleagues when he testified to Congress that he was not responsible for the now discarded Dubai Ports deal. Kimmit was supposed to be in charge of such arrangements.

"Snow's replacement in the Cabinet long has been rumored, but no successor has been selected."

Always James Baker.



Michael Roberts and Salzmann. (image via fashionweekdaily via patrickmcmullen)

In: Michael Roberts. Is the hyperambitious Kelly Killoren Bensimon finally out of the running for Vanity Fair's Fashion Editor? Is British born upmarket Fashion editor Michael Roberts of The New Yorker the last fashionista staill standing? still standing? According to Fashionweekdaily:

"In their search to fill Anne McNally�s vacated fashion director spot, Vanity Fair has considered the socialite route�Amanda Cutter Brooks, Lauren Davis, and even Kelly Killoren Bensimon�but it looks like in the end, the magazine may end up going with a good old seasoned editor: Michael Roberts.

"While unconfirmed by the magazine, Roberts is the strongest�and according to several sources, the sole�candidate currently in talks about the position. When reached for comment, Roberts remained coy, but revealed that he is working on a major project for The New Yorker�s September style issue�one aspect of which involves a special collaboration with Saks Fifth Avenue. 'I�m still at The New Yorker,' he said. 'I haven�t thought of leaving The New Yorker, but that would depend on the circumstances.'"

More here.



(image via hello!magazine)

Out: Matt LeBlanc. Damn you Matt Le Blanc. As if it weren't bad enough that "Joey" stunk up the joint on Must See Thursdays, squandering ther Cosby';s ler4ad. According to Hello!Magazine:

"Small screen star Matt Le Blanc has decided to call time on his marriage of three years. The former Friends star has filed papers at Los Angeles Superior Court to divorce one-time model Melissa Sue, whom he married on a Hawaii beach in 2003.

"Citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their break-up, the petition says they separated on January 1 this year. The 38-year-old is seeking joint custody of their daughter, Marina, who is believed to be suffering from a rare neurological disorder. His estranged wife also has two children from a previous relationship.

"'Melissa and Matt Le Blanc have decided to end their marriage,' the actor's spokesman said in a statement. 'The dissolution is amicable. They remain devoted parents and friends. For the sake of their family, they ask that their privacy be respected at this time.'"

Forget about "The Curse of American Pie." The curse of "Friends" is all the rage, right Lisa Kudrow?



(image via washpost)

In: White House Reshuffling. Don't believe anyone who tells you that there is no shuffling taking place. The Bushies havce seen the writing on the wall and are taking the advice of Congressional Republicans, who have all but abandoned the President's agenda to save their own asses in midterm elections.

From the WashingtonPost:

"The White House is planning additional staff changes that could come as early as next week as part of a broader effort to repair relations with Congress and revive the Bush presidency, according to several Republicans familiar with the emerging strategy.
Joshua B. Bolten, who takes over April 15 as White House chief of staff, is developing a proposal to overhaul West Wing operations with the twin aims of bringing more voices into the policymaking process and avoiding staff breakdowns such as the slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

"Republicans inside and outside the White House said President Bush is under pressure to do more to reshuffle his staff than simply move Bolten over from the budget office to replace Andrew H. Card Jr. As he prepares to assume the top staff job, Bolten has focused heavily on rebuilding ties with Congress, telephoning 30 key lawmakers in the first 24 hours after his appointment. And Republicans said he may bring in a new ambassador to Capitol Hill, possibly former representative Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.)."

Also rumored to be exiting --by the perfect Dickensian villain, Robert Novak -- is Treasury Sec John Snow. Rumored replacement speculation are centrered on: Dick Parsons of TimeWarner, and Trade Representative Rob Portman (Who appears to be aggressively maneuvering for the job).