We're Really That Into 'You'

Seth Abramovitch · 02/09/09 01:27PM

Not yet recovered from M.I.A.'s 9-months-pregnant body dressed to resemble a Minnie Mouse head? Coldplay in colorful, matching melody-pirate outfits? You have a Grammy hangover. Take some box office numbers and go back to bed:

Spotted

cityfile · 02/09/09 01:18PM

Renee Zellweger and boyfriend Dan Abrams walking around on the Upper East Side ... Hugh Jackman having a picnic in Central Park with his wife and kids ... Daniel Radcliffe leaving Morandi on Waverly Place ... Agyness Deyn walking in the Village ... Kirsten Dunst smoking on the sidewalk ... Isla Fisher arriving at JFK with her daughter Olive ... Whitney Port getting coffee with City co-star Allie Crawford in the West Village ... Sarah Jessica Parker leaving her townhouse on Charles Street ... Lauren Hutton walking with a friend in the East Village ... Madonna, Guy Ritchie, and the kids heading into the Kabbalah Center ... Amy Adams arriving at JFK ... and Samantha Ronson leaving the Bowery Hotel.

Magazine Sales Fall, The Times's Survival Strategy

cityfile · 02/09/09 12:46PM

• Magazine newsstand sales tumbled during the second half of 2008. [NYT]
• The Grammys were seen by an estimated 19.1 million people last night. [AP]
• The Times reports on the Times's recent troubles, conveniently concluding the paper's "positioned itself well to ride out another year of recession." [NYT]
• Steve Brill has a few thoughts on how the Times can save itself. [Poynter]
• Not surprisingly, SI is milking every last dollar out if its swimsuit issue. [WSJ]
• Following the news last week that Universal and DreamWorks were parting ways, Disney announced today it would distribute DreamWorks's films. [THR]
• Jim Cramer's ratings are up; his stock picks are as lousy as ever. [Barron's]
• A Queens hairstylist is suing the Daily News after the paper accidentally identified her as "Manhattan Madam" Kristin Davis. Twice. [Regret the Error]

In Defense of Beleaguered Bankers

cityfile · 02/09/09 12:18PM

If you're a banker facing the very dire prospect of having your salary capped at $500,000 a year, it probably seems as if the absolute nadir has been reached. Sadly, though, there's yet a further spiritual level to sink to: the one where Slate's Jacob Weisberg comes riding in on his chariot to defend your honor with an earnest editorial.

Arden Wohl Makes Her Debut

cityfile · 02/09/09 12:04PM

Headband-loving socialite Arden Wohl's short film, Two Other Dreams, premiered this past weekend. What's it about, you ask? "Drugs, strange spirituality, co-dependency between female friends," and, uh, necrophilia, which means it probably won't be appearing on cable in the near future. Luckily, the film will be on display at APF Lab until February 28th, so there's still time for necrophiliacs to take in the masterpiece before it disappears forever. [NYM]

Horrifying Banana Spider Orders You To Denny's

Hamilton Nolan · 02/09/09 11:43AM

We won't attempt to "explain" this Denny's commercial, except to say: if that spidery one-eyed banana ever gets within 15 feet of our food, the shotgun is coming out. Click to watch this...thing.

Rich People Hate Eye Contact

cityfile · 02/09/09 11:40AM

Ever wonder why the CEO of your company barely looks up at you when you greet him/her on the elevator? Here's a possible explanation: According to a new study in Psychological Science, rich people are much less likely to make contact with others. "The study concludes that nonverbal cues can signal wealth—or lack thereof—to others, just as effectively as the clothing they wear or the cars they drive." [Canwest, WSJ]

Sully Gets the Key

cityfile · 02/09/09 11:19AM

Michael Bloomberg presented keys to the city this morning to Chesley Sullenberger and four other members of the crew of Flight 1549 for their heroic efforts in saving the lives of 155 people a couple of weeks ago. "These true professionals are not there to just serve drinks and snacks. They are there to keep us safe," the mayor said in his opening remarks. It's nice to see Sully receive an honor he rightfully deserves, but "drinks and snacks"? What airline is Mayor Bloomberg flying? Oh, right, that's the one. [NYT]