Media-Whore D'Oevres



"In the days before a much anticipated Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Thursday night, political observers and pundits asked if Barack Obama could capitalize on weeks of bad news and missteps by Hillary Clinton, whose veneer of inevitability had begun showing fractures. Instead, after an initial attack by Obama, Ms. Clinton fought back and handed Mr. Obama and other Democratic rivals a thrashing. Then Ms. Clinton spent the next few days in Nevada on something of a streak, hitting Mr. Obama again and again and again. After going on the offensive in Thursday night’s debate, she celebrated with champagne and a big dinner at the Four Seasons with her aides." (Observer)

"That's what her campaign's calling a pair of huge fundraisers in New York City on December 13 and 14, also known as the 'Winter Summit.' If you raise $10,000, you can attend 'the Board Room Luncheon' with Clinton on the 14th." (BenSmith)

"Two literary adaptations, both starring Spanish actor Javier Bardem, entered the top 10. Miramax Films' 'No Country For Old Men,' Joel and Ethan Coen's version of the thriller by Cormac McCarthy, jumped eight places to No. 7 with $3.1 million after boosting its theatre count in its second weekend. Currently playing in just 148 theaters, it will expand to 800 next weekend." (Reuters)

"Beverly Hills may not have snow, but it sure has ice. And now that includes the 20 Baccarat chandeliers that will light up Rodeo Drive through the New Year. Sharon Stone, clad in a tight black Gucci dress and black satin trenchcoat, and accompanied by her brother Michael and sister Kelly, flipped the switch to illuminate this year's UNICEF snowflake, a larger-than-life Baccarat sculpture that boasts 12,000 crystals and sits above the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. 'I guess shopping season has officially begun!' the actress later laughed at a private party at Gucci's Rodeo Drive store, where she eyed various stilettos and handbags, not to mention her first love: fine jewelry. 'Now I just need to find someone to buy me some of these things.'" (Fashionweekdaily)

"SHARON Stone cuddling up to a 'young hot model-type guy' in a booth at the Waverly Inn ..." (PageSix)

"This could be a big, even defining week in terms of the primary calendar.There is intense pressure to get this issue resolved quickly in Michigan because election officials need to prepare absentee ballots if there is ultimately a primary on January 15th. If the primary falls through and Michigan Republicans instead hold a convention, it could have serious ramifications on the race. First, Rudy will almost certainly not compete. At least at any serious level. Nor will Huckabee, who is already looking past the state and down to South Carolina (which goes on the 19th). It's uncertain what Fred would do in a convention scenario, but most Michiganders think a convention would pit backers of McCain and Romney. They're the only two candidates with any extensive grassroots operation there." (politico)

"Nicole Kidman told a judge today how she feared for her life as she was pursued by a paparazzo in a high-speed car chase. Giving evidence in a packed courtroom in the New South Wales Supreme Court, Kidman said she crouched down in the back seat as she was driven to her parents' house in Greenwich, north Sydney ... A lighter moment today came when Kidman was asked to read her police statement, and she began reading it out aloud until the judge told her just to read it by herself. The actress smiled and tapped her forehead in the style of cartoon character Homer Simpson." (Thisislondon)