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Post Attacks Olbermann Via Infographic [Feuds]
The Post's efforts to slam Keith Olbermann are getting increasingly desperate. In its latest attempt to lash the MSNBC personality on behalf of owner Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. comrade-in-arms Bill O'Reilly, who are in a feud with the Countdown host, the tabloid somehow managed to work an Olbermann dig into a story about bad gym behavior. Well, actually, not into the copy of the story itself, but into the accompanying infographic, pictured above. (The "sex in the showers" item, by the way, is a subtle shout-out to O'Reilly. He's always trying that one, the old fox!). [Post]
read moreBill O'reillyFox NewsKeith OlbermannMediaNew York PostNews CorporationRoger AilesRupert MurdochTue, 10 Jun 2008 06:05:38 EDTRyan Tate
Elle's Digital Dunce [Magazines]
After the severe bloodletting at Hachette's websites last month, one would expect remaining survivors at Elle.com, ElleGirl.com and Premiere.com might be grateful. Not so. In fact, there's been something of an uprising against digital vice president Todd Anderman (left), a clumsy transplant from Maxim Digital. As Women's Wear Dailyis reporting, two of Anderman's top underlings have resigned: fashion director Joe Berean and Keith Pollock, executive editor of Elle.com and ElleGirl.com. Left unsaid? Pollock is the shopboy installed by Elle creative director Joe Zee, with whom he is said to be cozy, so his disgruntled exit from Anderman's employ will not soon be forgotten. Nor will the purported reason, a series of Anderman-instigated messes stretching back to an embarrassing incident involving the VP's laptop and a digital projector.
The story begins with Anderman's discharge of a group of Web employees in May. As reported previously, up to 20 people were assembled in a room and left to wait for 15 minutes until Anderman found time to fire them.
But the digital chief was hardly any better with his remaining staff later that day. This is the story we heard: Just before meeting with his "digital team" in the afternoon, Anderman engaged in some IM chat with his wife. When he hooked his notebook computer up to the digital projector, the IM window was still open, so his staff got to see the chat in which their boss complained to his spouse that he was "shellshocked" at their reaction to all his changes. "I'm trying to run a BIZ!" he supposedly said, his wife replying "along the 'Oh my poor bear' lines," said a source.
When he realized what was on the projector screen, Anderman rushed to quickly shut off his laptop.
For Pollock, the meeting was a prelude of more ham-handedness to come. Premiere.com was to be under his management, but Anderman yanked it, leaving Pollock with Elle.com and ElleGirl.com. Then someone else was promoted above Pollock, at which point one of Pollock's hires was let go. Premier.com was then put back in the cluster with Elle.com and ElleGirl.com, but Pollock still only had purview over the latter two. Then, as the story goes, Anderman did something having to do with "content-aggregation policy," which Pollock and Berean found distasteful.
Anderman was hired only this past January, and he's clearly trying to shake things up and put his stamp on Hachette's foundering websites. But the freshly-hired executive need allies if, as expected, Hachette chief Jack Kliger's contract is not renewed later this year. And at this point, it sounds like the digital dunce is mostly making enemies.
This is why they script the damn things. The chairman of WWE tried to call someone during a wrestling match to award them 200 grand. But got a reverse ringtone: Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," the official symbol of rejection and the worst prank in the world. [Kayfabe; clip below]
Witness McMahon's confusion and make your own metaphor about one ludicrous offshoot of modern culture yielding to an equally ludicrous offshoot of the generation that will replace it.
I had a friend who was really into wrestling. It's analogous to opera, he explained. I countered that it's really bad opera. He countered and two months later I was out of the hospital.
read morerickrollVince McMahonTue, 10 Jun 2008 04:00:18 EDTNick Douglas
Although this press-junket interview between Justin Timberlake and "Chuck the Movie Guy" is less than three minutes long, one gets the sense at several distinct points that Timberlake is about to either storm out or punch "Chuck" in the throat. There's an uncomfortable confrontation about a prior interview, an uncomfortable retort from Timberlake involving his Speedo, uncomfortable sarcasm — notice a theme? Videogum wonders whether Timberlake or "Chuck" is the bigger jerk here, but that's kind of missing the point. You really need two people, each acting aggressively awful toward the other, to produce a moment so beautifully bitchy. After the jump, video of this excellent team effort in awkward hostility.
"More than one-fourth of adult New Yorkers — 26 percent, compared to the national average of 19 percent — are infected with herpes simplex virus 2, the virus that causes genital herpes, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced on Monday." [Times]
read moreherpesNew YorkMon, 09 Jun 2008 21:35:17 EDTRyan Tate
Good Luck Getting Your New iPhones, Losers! [Cult Of Apple]
Steve Jobs announced something today, about his fancy Apple phones that turn you into an incorrigible asshole. He has new ones, and they're cheaper, and faster. All good news, right? Too bad you won't be able to get one, if you have a job. Because only the people willing to give up their lives and camp out before the release will get the first batch! The Apple Stores will not be as quiet as they were when Choire and Neel stopped by today. Why? Because Steve Jobs hates you (and because it's HOT).
There will be no online ordering of the new phones, and they have to be activated (which we're told takes like 10 precious minutes!) in-store. AT&T refused to tell Gizmodo how many would be available at launch, and they're not even sure what the demand will be.
The in-store activation also means the scene at the stores should be even more of a mess than last summer's hyped iPhone launch day—because at least then, consumers could pick up the phones and head home to turn them on. Not anymore!
So come July 11, you are advised to avoid Apple Stores in Manhattan. And if you want the damn phone, hop the Amtrack to Newark, Delaware or something, 'cause you're not getting one in New York.
read moreAppleHypeiPhoneStatus symbolsSteve JobsTopMon, 09 Jun 2008 18:39:22 EDTPareene
Calling All Tastemakers: Lizzie Grubman Wants You [Public Relations]
Reality-show subject, Hamptons auto menace, and PR party planner to the stars Lizzie Grubman is helping her client YRB Magazine put out its most glam issue ever! But to do it, she needs the help of you, young tastemakers who "embody street couture." Select stars of the scene are invited to YRB's sweet party and photo shoot, where they can pick out their own outfits from "racks and racks" of designer clothing, get their pictures taken, and—bonus—get a free tattoo in the "adult playground!" I can't imagine why anyone would turn down this opportunity to pimp themselves out. The YRB store has the freshest selection of t-shirts on Lower Broadway! Grubman's full email invite to the "beautiful people," after the jump:
Hey Sweetie,
I am emailing because I am working with YRB Magazine who is in the process of shooting their Fall Fashion Issue, and we would love to feature YOU in it!! This year we figured we would do something a bit different and over-the-top to ensure it is the most glam issue of YRB to date. We are hosting a blow out event in conjunction to this fashion photo shoot titled, "HOW YOU ROCK IT" ...
The spread will showcase the hottest upcoming fashion trends while YRB is assembling an array of notable New York influencers who we find embody street couture. Basically a diverse cast of tastemakers, artists, press, music makers, move shakers, creatives, beautiful people and all-around cool kids who are fashionable yet edgy and have made a solid name for themselves in the circles they run with.
For the photo shoot we will have racks and racks of clothing and designer labels, where invited guests will be asked to come by (camera-ready / hair & make-up will be on hand for touch-ups), and style themselves out in an original outfit they choose and feel best represents their personal style. Guests will pose in front of a white seamless backdrop to be photographed by one of the country's leading photographers for a spread in the Fall/September issue. The finished product will include a photo and stat sheet allowing YOU to plug new projects.
As this experimental fashion shoot goes down we have set up a chill lounge to serve as an "adult playground" for our guests. We have graffiti and tattoo stations posted where artists will be on hand doing complimentary work, in addition to video game consoles throughout the venue. A variety of notable DJs will be spinning during the event, & drinks and food will be served.
The event and photo shoot goes down on June 25th from 7pm to 11pm at the Red Bull Space located at 40 Thompson. Please save the date and reply ASAP if YOU would like to take part of this so we can confirm space in the magazine! This is guaranteed to be the hottest and most exclusive events this summer...
Guess what? It's brown-out season! Power outages are expected across the Upper East Side tonight. DisasterReadyNYC—the scariest site on the Internet?—recommends filling your bathtub with water. Ha ha ha that won't protect you from the looters and Cloverfield monsters! NOTHING CAN. An Upper East Side hospital sent the following warning to its staff today, in case you need to hear it from Con Ed themselves:
Con Edison has notified us of a strain to its electrical grid and has asked us to curtail our power consumption where ever possible. Plant Operations is currently reducing power consumption where it is feasible but we need your help.
Please:
Turn off lights when not in use.
Close shades, blinds or drapery.
Raise thermostats to 75 degree set point where possible.
Turn off PC terminals, computer monitors, and PACs monitors that are not in use.
These simple actions will go a long way to reduce electrical consumption and the high heat load Plant Operations is contending with during this heat wave.
Thank you for your cooperation.
A city-wide outage would be great, sure, but it's not like we can sleep in this weather so why not continue rising and blogging each morning, sigh.
How are you coping with the heat? Send your tips and tricks to Gothamist and LEAVE US ALONE WE JUST WANT TO DIE.