Media-Whore D'Oeuvres



(Linda Fiorentino via photobucket)

"Mark Rossini, 46, was a favorite go-to guy for national security reporters when he worked in the FBI's media relations office. He had come to the job after several years working with the CIA and other intelligence agents at the National Counterterrorism Center, in Virginia. Tall, handsome and gregarious, Rossini enjoyed schmoozing with reporters over good cabernet and cigars at Les Halles, a French restaurant around the corner from the FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue. Over the past year the recently divorced counterterrorism specialist had also been squiring his raven-haired actress girlfriend, Linda Fiorentino, to the Palm and other top restaurants in Washington and New York .. And now Rossini finds himself in an unwanted leading role with his actress girlfriend, a head-turning star in some 30 thrillers, murder mysteries and comedies, including 'Men in Black.' He is accused of accessing FBI computer files for information about Anthony Pellicano, a notorious Hollywood private eye now serving time for illegal wiretaps and possession of explosives." (SpyTalk/CQPolitics)

"The long-feared Viacom pre-post holiday layoffs are here, and they're not pretty. We heard earlier that as many as 300 layoffs might be coming at MTV today, but the total, Viacom-wide numbers are even worse: 850 people are being cut, about 7% of the company's global staff. And top management is 'suspending salary increases' next year, if it makes you peons feel any better." (Gawker)

"'He's a bit hard of hearing, but completely adorable,' murmurred one guest at Asprey's Madison Avenue flagship last night. The man in question was Lord Ian Balfour, whose new tome Famous Diamonds was toasted by the crème de la 10021 .. He chatted up other token royals -- namely, Queen Lavinia DuBois and King Joseph DuBois of Liberia." (Fashionweekdaily)



(Jann Wenner and Theodora Richards via Caroline Torem Craig/Papermag)

"In keeping with a R&R anthem, AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' the opening party of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in SoHo last night featured a plywood wall for guests to sign; beer, pretzels and hot dogs; and lots of something that looked like pizza but was actually funnel cake. The first class portion of the event featured acoustic performances by Dave Mason (of Traffic fame) and the legendary Debbie Harry. Next to PAPERMAG on the red carpet were three really young, really cute reporters from Life & Style, US Weekly and Page Six, who were strangely detached and frozen in space. One of them explained why, saying, 'I'm only here to get Taylor Momsen.' When Taylor arrived, the reporter asked her, 'Is this work or play for you?' to which she responded, 'No comment.'" (Papermag)



(VF covergirl Tina Fey and Andrew Cuomo via Observer)

"Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has a sense of humor described as dry, at best, but he apparently got the crowd roaring yesterday when his Democratic conference convened in Brooklyn. Silver had a secret plan to bring in 30 Rock star and Palin-impersonator Tina Fey, but was coy all day about who exactly was coming. 'When he did bring in the special guest, he said it was the first time he had ever brought in a Republican,' said Assemblyman Mark Schroeder. Some confusion ensued, then Fey emerged, and the audience got the joke. 'He set the thing up perfectly, and as she walked in everybody got a big kick out of it,' Schroeder said." (Observer)