Media-Whore D'Oeuvres



("Suprematist Composition" by Kazimir Malevich via bloomberg)

"Sotheby's failed to sell a third of the lots at its Impressionist and modern art auction last night in New York, the latest sign that worldwide financial distress is undermining demand for trophy paintings and sculpture. Just 64 percent of the 70 lots found buyers, the lowest rate for an Impressionist evening sale at Sotheby's since May 2001. The $223.8 million tally was a third below the $338 million low estimate. Christie's International holds its Impressionist and modern art sales tomorrow and Thursday nights. 'The market just corrected,' said John Good, a director at Gagosian Gallery, as he and about 800 others departed Sotheby's cavernous white-walled salesroom." (Bloomberg)

"Howard (Stern) welcomed Natalie Maines, who flew in from California especially for today's "viewing" of Eric the Midget, and she laughed that Michael Jackson showed up at her Halloween party over the weekend: 'A couple people went up to him and told him he had the greatest Michael Jackson costume ever.' Natalie added that Michael brought all three of his own children, the eldest of whom was 'the most well-adjusted, self-assured' kid she'd ever met. Howard asked if Michael talked at all, and Natalie replied, 'I think maybe he's stuck in time as a child. I felt like maybe he's a child. He's got lots of handlers.'" (HowardStern)

"There are a lot of election parties planned around town. Harvey Weinstein and Georgette Mosbacher throw a big one every year, the Ying and the Yang of American political points of view; friends all. Bernstein rainmaker extraordinaire, Paul Beirne’s election party invitation included Senator Barack Obama (On the Phone)." (NYSocialDiary)

"Love him or hate him, Bono makes most other philanthropists look like Scrooge. He locked horns with billionaire Sir Philip Green at a charity auction held at the Music Industry Trust's Awards last night, and pipped him to a VIP box at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium with a bid of (USD $31,852)." (Thisislondon)

"THEY announced their separation in October, but Téa Leoni and David Duchovny don't seem like they're splitting. They were spotted on the Upper East Side Friday night, taking their kids, Madelaine and Kyd, trick-or-treating. One source said, 'They were very cute and were holding hands.' Despite tensions recently when the 'Californication' star was treated for sex addiction, our spy said he and Leoni 'looked very mellow and relaxed' chatting with friends." (PageSix)

"Everybody's in line to vote right now, and cellphone cams are sure to make this one of the most citizen-documented voting days in history. In line at 71st Street polling station in Manhattan, it's the cutest Irish-American voter ever—late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien." (Gawker)



(image via fashionweekdaily via patrickmcmullen)

"Heidi Klum's 9th annual Halloween bash (hosted by Absolut 100 and 1Oak) returned to our fair city. Dressed as the Hindu god Shiva the Destroyer, Klum's attire put average revelers to shame. Hubby Seal channelled Genghis Kahn, while Pink went for a friendlier clown costume designed by Patricia Field." (Fashionweekdaily)

"Fifteen minutes before Charlie and Alma Rangel arrived to vote at this Harlem elementary school, there were already 64 voters standing on line. Carole Branch, a 41-year-old project architect who lives around the corner in the Lenox Terrace apartments (where the Rangels also live), got there first. 'My mother-in-law told me to wake up early and beat the rush,' Branch said. She said she didn't want to wait in line 'but would have' to cast a vote for Barack Obama. Her mother-in-law, Inez Branch, a 70-year-old retired H.H.C. administrator, stood nearby sipping hot chocolate. 'I was looking for change and wanted to vote for Obama,' She explained matter-of-factly." (Observer)

"SPEAKING OF voting, that gent about the world, Dominick Dunne, is es caping from New York Presbyterian Hospital today. He insisted on being allowed out to vote. Then he'll go back in for a major rehaul soon after." (LizSmith)

"This election has also been, in more modest but important ways, defined by Politico. We set out two years ago to join the top tier of most important publications covering Capitol Hill and the 2008 elections ... In our first 21 months, Politico has frequently achieved profitability as measured on a monthly scale. (When Congress is in session, our ad revenue is higher.) Our goal for 2009--one we fully expect to achieve--is profitability on an annual basis." (FishbowlDC)