A Little Of The Old In And Out



In: Rupert Murdoch. Michael Bloomberg has, at least for the moment, shot down reports that Bloomberg LLC might be interested in buying the embattled Gray Lady (As, for the record, has Sulzberger), which leaves Rupert Murdoch -- especially if he beats out Mort Zuckerman for Newsday -- as the 800 lb gorilla in the New York Media room. Still, the mayor is thoroughly unpredictable, so the issue is still opaque as to what final decision or lack of a decision Bloomberg makes. From The Observer:

"The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sam Zell's Newsday is close to being sold to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. for $580 million. The story is sourced to people familiar with the situation, and that both parties 'have informally agreed on key aspects, including the price, structure and governance.'

"If the deal is done, Newsday would become a 'joint-venture' with The New York Post. What exactly that means is unclear."

(image via impeachforpeace)

Out: Senator Ted Stevens. Crusty, shrill bastard! Almost singlehandedly Senator Ted Stevens has forced the issue of despoiling Alaska's pristine landscape to ANWAR drilling. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican member of the Senate, then Chair of the mighty Appropriations Committe in 2005, actually attached drilling to the paychecks of soldiers in Iraq! Damn cheek! Well, he's in for the run of his life. Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage, announced he would oppose Senator Ted Stevens in November. If, as all indicators indicate, the Democrats will gain the White House, it is not inconceivable that large coattails may even sweep a Democrat into an ordinarily safe Republican seat in the great state of Alaska.



(image via nighthawkcomics)

In: Frank Miller, Director. As someone who, as a child -- and to this day -- absolutely loved the gritty noir of Miller's run with Daredevil, it will be interesting to see if he can translate comics, the ultimate storyboards, into film. From Cinematical:

"Frank Miller's place in comic book history is already secure, but these days, he's aiming to leave a sizable IMDB entry too. Miller revealed exclusively to MTV Movies that not only is there renewed interest in a film adaptation of his comic miniseries Hard Boiled, but that he's hoping to direct it himself. 'We're talking about [it]. I've got a really unusual way I want to do it.'

"After co-directing Sin City, and helming The Spirit himself, he's officially caught the bug. 'I'm in love with directing. I've found a way to expand my career. Comics and directing are really two sides of the same coin. That's what Robert Rodriguez taught me ... good drama is good drama.'"

Out: The Beckhams Coming Out Parties. Bill Clinton held a shameless series of birthday parties to raise money for his wife's campaign (and, on the DL, to remind us of his relevance), but we expect that from the man. He has no shame. He has no chic. But one expects chic from Posh Spice who, clearly, through this endless series of birthday parties, is holding her own "coming out" party in Los Angeles. The Olympics are to China what these obnoxious birthday parties are to The Beckhams as Hollywood social force. From Thisislondon:

"This year, Posh Spice has extended her birthday to five days of celebrating.

"On Wednesday - the night before her birthday - she invited Kate Beckinsale and director husband Len and Desperate Housewives star Eva to dine at the latter's new Hollywood restaurant Beso.

Victoria's actual birthday on Thursday was a family affair as she and husband David took their three sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz to the Pink Taco restaurant chain in a Century City shopping mall."