Media-Whore D'Oeuvres



(image via biggheaddc)

"Four years ago, Jessica Cutler was a 26-year-old Senate aide with a hugely popular secret sex blog. Under the pseudonym 'The Washingtonienne,' she chronicled her extraordinary sex life, which frequently involved sleeping with D.C. power players who paid her for sex. Cutler was quickly outed by Wonkette blogger Ana Marie Cox (now a contributor to The Daily Beast), and her story turned into a massive Washington scandal. She was fired for 'inappropriate use' of Senate computers, sued by IRS counselor Robert Steinbuch (who she identified on her blog as 'RS'), and given—on the bright side—a book deal reportedly worth $300,000. She also went on to pose for Playboy. Her novel, The Washingtonienne was optioned for an HBO pilot produced by Sarah Jessica Parker. Now, the Washingtonienne is settling down. This Monday, Cutler got married in a quiet ceremony at New York’s City Hall to Manhattan lawyer Charles Rubio. Her father and sisters were in attendance .. Cutler blogs about how she went from slut to housewife in eight months, and why she’s finally decided to let go of her past." (Jessica Cutler/TheDailyBeast)

"Producers, anchors and executives from CBS News and CBS Radio, and those of us who cover them, packed the 35th floor of CBS's Black Rock headquarters last night. We talked with The Early Show's Julie Chen as she arrived, before telling us, 'Okay, I've gotta go say hi to my husband.' Her husband, CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves was a few feet away chatting with CBS PR honcho Gil Schwartz. The rest of The Early Show team was in attendance too — Maggie Rodriguez, Harry Smith and Dave Price and Saturday anchors Erica Hill and Chris Wragge. Hill told us she is excited about her new CBS gig, while still contributing to CNN's AC360. Wragge's WCBS anchors were also there — Kristine Johnson, formerly an MSNBC anchor and weather guy Lonnie Quinn. Katie Couric arrived after the Evening News." (TVNewser)

"For the industry players whose livelihood depends on the health of TV's scripted biz, (The Leno move to 10 pm) was yet another lump of coal in an already ugly holiday-season stocking. 'It's a bummer for the writers who are writing for drama,' said one agent. 'Five less scripted drama shows at 10 p.m. is bad for the business ... Some leaders at NBC said there hasn't been a 10 p.m. drama that's worked in three or four years. But no, they just haven't developed the best dramas.' Writers have already felt the primetime pinch in recent years, as the networks devote more hours to reality programs -- as well as repeats on dead nights such as Fridays and Saturdays. 'The more reality shows and talkshows the broadcast networks do, the more that dramas will go to cable, where they can be done properly,' The Closer exec producer James Duff said this week at a Hollywood Radio and TV Society panel." (Variety)

"The permanent campaign hardly took a breather. In both parties, strategists and candidates are already in the hunt for 2010 -- especially for those super-expensive Senate races. Republicans are hoping that the natural midterm advantage for the out-of-power party kicks in. It does look like a better cycle for them than the last couple turned out to be. Everything depends on how Barack Obama fares. The GOP is praying that he gets over this centrist binge and moves quickly to please his Democratic base by boosting taxes and spending. Also, look for Republicans to game some of the cultural stuff if Obama gives them an opening on gays in the military or the like. Some things never change." (Craig Crawford/CQPolitics)

"When it comes to being a premiere prima donna, Hugh Jackman takes the biscuit - or maybe not. The body-conscious Aussie actor demanded a carb-free menu at last night's showing of Australia at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square. So a team of chefs were put to work designing a special menu.Jackman, 40, said it was part of the strict diet he has to keep preparing for the forthcoming X Men flick." (3AMGirls)

"Although last night's reception at the Hearst Tower co-hosted by Cathie Black and Glenda Bailey was most intimate, the mighty guest list still managed to impress. The popular honorees were Cherie and Tony Blair and more specifically former British Prime Minister wife's charitable cause, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The organization that provides mentoring and small loans to entrepreneurial women in developing countries inspired guests like Barbara Walters and Donna Karan to immediately surround the lady of the hour .. The former Brit leader himself and current UN Middle East Peace diplomat said that he visits Gotham monthly. 'The first thing I try to do here is get some sleep!' Blair joked. 'But seriously, I make so many trips here I've found myself working just as hard. But I'm certainly not the most popular guest in the room tonight. Like I said, now I have to aspire to be my wife's warm-up act.'" (Fashionweekdaily)

"There has been considerable buzz in recent days concerning Caroline Kennedy’s reported interest in New York Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s soon-to-be vacant U.S. Senate seat. But the emergence of the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy as a contender for the pending appointment has not scared off the state’s many U.S. House members who are eying the seat .. Associates of Kennedy, who is married to exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg, have been quoted in news stories saying that she is prepared to make the move because the youngest of her three children will reach the age of 16 this January. Fanning the flames are members of the politically prolific Kennedy family, who are firmly in her corner, as well as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Republican turned independent who praised Kennedy earlier this week. Kennedy’s potential strength in the appointment derby was backed up in polls conducted by Public Policy Polling and (the) Marist College Institute for Public Opinion ..Another New York congressional Democrat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was less glowing in assessing Kennedy. 'She has no relevant experience or accomplishments. Yet she is a big name and can raise a lot of money to defend the seat,' the member said." (CQPolitics)

"It was standing room only at Michael's today with a head-spinning assortment of movers and mavens doing some serious table-hopping between bites. We were brightened to see there was a dash of celebrating between all the intense conversations that were going on all around .. The scene spilled over into the Garden Room where Today's executive producer Jim Bell and David Gregory were seated. The newly-minted host of Meet The Press gave us a big hello and a smile as he made his way to the back, but slipped out early before we could ask him about his new gig .. (Table 16.) We would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for this one: Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren. The fabulous fashionistas both arrived on the early side -- 12:30 -- and were still deep in conversation after much of the dining room had departed." (FishbowlNY)