Media-Whore D'Oevres



(image via nbc)

"SNL has experienced a hefty bump in the Nielsen polls this election season, boasting a 50% gain over last season’s first two episodes. And it’s not the only beneficiary of this year’s bitterly waged presidential campaign. Comedy Central’s The Daily Show is coming off its most-watched week in history, averaging 1.9 million viewers last week — up 28% from last year. Of course, last year, the world hadn’t yet heard of Sarah Palin, and both Barack Obama and John McCain were considered longshots for their respective party nominations. A year later, the U.S. is in the midst of a presidential campaign that many have described as unusual and unexpected — in other words, perfect fodder for SNL and The Daily Show, not to mention Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report and HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. The Daily Show’s take on this election cycle no doubt contributed to the show’s recent record-breaking sixth Emmy award for variety, music or comedy series. Ditto The Colbert Report’s win in the category of writing for a variety/music/comedy series." (Variety)

"Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told her Republican colleagues Thursday that she will not run for a leadership post next Congress, another sign she may resign her Senate seat to pursue a bid for Texas governor." (TheHill)

"Tommy Hilfiger was supposed to to marry Dee Ocleppo six weeks ago on the Caribbean island of Mustique. But just days before the big event, the duo called off the nuptuals. Now BlackBook says the fashion mogul has reunited with his ex-wife, Susie, and he's moved back into the Greenwich mansion where they're "living together as one big happy family." Which is a little strange considering he was with Ocleppo in San Francisco last week for some sort of gala sponsored by Macy's." (Cityfile)

"We’ve heard of some sick stunts in our time – but Amy Winehouse’s latest escapade beats the lot. She’s landed herself with a massive ($46,015) bill after borrowing posh designer frocks – and returning them with her own unique calling card… splattered with vomit. Our insider reveals: 'Harvey Nichols loaned Amy $46, 000 (USD) worth of silk and satin dresses. Unfortunately, while wearing one of the frocks, she went on an all-night bender.'" (3AMGirls)

"After a basic deal was reached earlier on Thursday afternoon, an agreement on the $700 billion bailout plan stalled after talks between congressional leaders at the White House descended into partisan bickering. Republican leader John Boehner announced that his caucus could not support a plan with so large a role for government, which led to a near brawl with Democrats accusing Republicans of sabotaging the deal to help John McCain's presidential campaign. In a bizarre scene, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson got down on one knee to beg Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi not to withdraw democratic support for the bill." (ForeignPolicy)



(image via vv)

"I never plug another publication unless it has a big, splashy photo of me, me, me! So I have to urge you all to run out and buy Blackbook magazine's new Nightlife issue, which features all the luminaries of the club scene, including my own haggy, yet (thanks to a head injury some years back) optimistic self. In the photo I'm in—taken in the bathroom of B Bar by the brave Lizzie Sullivan—I mingle with downtown stars Joey Arias, Amanda Lepore, and Andre J, as organized by the really brave editor Nick Haramis." (Musto)

"Coincidentally, the portrait of George Gershwin was taken by Edward Steichen in 1935 for Vanity Fair is one of an extraordinary new collection of 300 portraits done for the magazine over the past 95 years, now compiled in a beautiful coffee table book by Graydon Carter, the magazine’s longtime editor-in-chief. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the revived Vanity Fair." (NYSocialDiary)

"Russia will loan Venezuela $1 billion for arms purchases and military development, a Kremlin spokesman said Friday, the second day of a visit here by resident Hugo Chávez aimed at tightening a relationship that has caused increasing discomfort in the West." (NYTimes)

"Last night was pretty epic. Whenever I'm in LA, I stay with my good friend, Blake Mitchell, who always knows how to have a good time (see skateboarding-in-living room shot), what's up, and where to go. Last night, we went to the gallery opening of Cole Sternberg's Oil Projects exhibit. GenArt supplied the tequila, Cole supplied the talent and we supplied the entertainment (see the pics). Blake, along with Sophia Boedecker (diviiiiiiiiiine LA it-ness), and Logan Hufford took in Cole's brilliant mixed-media, post-modern works (a mix of acrylic, oil and spray paint). Afterward, we sojourned to the Chateau Marmont where we bumped into my old buddy, Hayden Slater, who was there holding court with glowing new mom, Nicole Richie." (Paul Johnson-Calderon/Papermag)

"Director Clark Gregg attended the New York Premiere of his 'Choke,' which Fox Searchlight is releasing this Friday nationwide. The film, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year, is based the book by Chuck Palahniuk, and stars Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston and Kelly Macdonald. 'Its a magnificent feeling of accomplishment,' Gregg told indieWIRE at a post-screening party in the Lower East Side." (Indiewire)