Jay finally makes an attempt to explain his side of the story, Dave retaliates against Leno, and Conan sings of NBC's incompetence and puts himself on Craigslist. Gawker.TV's Matt Cherette was up all night clipping the best parts.
A 24-year-old in a motel room in Texas used the internets and his squeaky voice to e-and-phone date men posing as model Bree Condon. Police found him with an iPhone and a small dog that were gifts from his suitors.
How many hours of video were culled down into these glorious 22 seconds? Did the dog ever make peace with its shadow? Is that a metaphor for something? So many questions remain unanswered.
Citigroup reported a $7.6 billion fourth-quarter loss this morning, much of it related to the bank's decision last month to exit the government bailout program and repay the $20 billion it still owed Washington. But don't think of it as bad news. Things are actually looking up! Not only is a big improvement from 2008 when the bank racked up $27.7 billion in losses, but Citi CEO chief Vikram Pandit said in a statement that "he believed the house of Citigroup was finally in order." Count on "sustainable profitability," continued "growth," and—if he's lucky—and fancy office redecoration for Pandit the year ahead! [NYT]
Just when you think there can be no more analysis of healthcare reforms, an unexpectedly close Senate election comes up in Massachusetts and off we go again. Haiti and yesterday's attack in Kabul also dominate.
• The messiest TV feud in years may be nearing its end. Conan O'Brien and NBC are said to be close to signing a deal that would allow Conan to walk away from The Tonight Show with $32.5 million in hand. He wouldn't be able to host a show on another network until September under terms of the agreement. And it remains unclear if he'll be able to take some of the memorable characters he created with him, like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog or the Masturbating Bear. [TMZ]
• Has Jennifer Aniston finally found love? Probably not, but she's reportedly hooking up with Gerard Butler again. After taking pictures together on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, Aniston and Butler were supposedly seen "making out" backstage and were "attached at the hip all night." [P6]
• Madonna may be looking to add to her collection of kids. According to a Brit tabloid, the 51-year-old singer wants to have a baby with her Brazilian boytoy Jesus Luz since she has "endless love in her heart for another child." [Sun]
• Tiger Woods may be staying at Pine Grove, a sex rehab facility in Mississippi, if you happen to be looking for him, or you just need the name of a place that will treat your own compulsion to sleep with hookers and waitresses. [Us]
Country music legend/plastic doll Dolly Parton turns 64 today. Chef and TV personality Paula Deen is turning 63. Drea de Matteo (The Sopranos) is 38. Katey Sagal (Married with Children) is 56. Investigative TV journalist Martin Bashir is turning 47. Investing legend Peter Lynch turns 66. Photographer Cindy Sherman is turning 56. Eric Mangini, the former coach of the Jets, is 39. Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is 48. Comedian Shawn Wayans turns 39. Former Full House cast member Jodie Sweetin is turning 28. And Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson celebrates her 18th birthday today.
Yesterday everyone, including us, went all frothy for a story about blonde women being more war-like and determined than others. Turns out it was kind of false. Here's how it spread.
Golden Globe, Shmolden Globe. You know a movie's a real phenom when the People's Republic of China censors it—and tells theaters to play "a patriotic biopic on the life of Confucius" instead.
