We probably shouldn't be surprised to see a very brisk (and rather macabre) trade in Tim Russert memorabilia on eBay. Five days after his sudden death—and amid a non-stop stream of coverage about his passing—there's plenty of merch to choose from, including dozens of copies of the late Meet the Press host's book Big Russ and Wisdom of Our Fathers. Some of the pricier items up for sale:
Donald Trump will do anything to generate a little press. That you know. This time, though, the attention addict and notorious cheapskate is scoring a little media time at the expense of former Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon: He released a public statement and made TV appearances this week to tell the world he's swooping in to rescue McMahon from foreclosure. Except poor Ed—who has enough drama in his life, thank you—hasn't heard a peep from The Donald or anyone else in Trump's camp. Did you lose Ed's contact info, Donald? We know how hard it must be to keep your affairs in order when you're juggling so many business ventures philanthropic endeavors. Just so you know, you can mail your check to Ed, c/o Howard Bragman, Fifteen Minutes PR, 8436 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Thanks!
So the gays are officially marrying each other in California. And there are a few celebrities sprinkled in among the hordes of couples now rushing to the altar: George "Mr. Sulu" Takei of Star Trek married his partner Brat Altman today, and Ellen DeGeneres says she plans to marry her longtime girlfriend, Portia De Rossi, later this month. But what about here in New York? Which locals are going to take advantage of David Paterson's recent decision to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and fly out West to pick up a marriage license of their own?
The day after the Post's Fred Dicker reported that David Paterson called Michael Bloomberg a liar (among several other not-so-nice things), all parties involved are feeling a wee bit defensive today. Bloomberg dismissed suggestion that relations had frayed ("He and I never had an acrimonious relationship"), although Paterson only half-denied it, allowing that Dicker could have heard something to that effect, but that he didn't get the story straight. But Dicker isn't about to let the story go or let anyone cast suspicion on his scoop. Dicker defended his journalistic chops today and even suggests who might have leaked him the info. Oh, and for visually-minded readers, Dicker's article includes a state-of-the-art BS meter. Because you just can't argue with science.
White-hot British model Agyness Deyn looks set to follow her agent Louie Chaban from DNA—home to Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova and Linda Evangelista—to Women, where she'll join an Eastern Euro-heavy board that also includes Carmen Kass, Selita Ebanks and Julia Stegner. This might be loyalty on Agy's part, but perhaps she's also encouraged by the recent allegations that Women is willing to bribe designers to book their girls. Oh, what a delightful industry. [Fashionista]
After clashing with developer Larry Silverstein for control of the Freedom Tower and finally winning it in 2006, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has now decided it doesn't want the thing. Exasperated with the task of leasing space in the 1,368-foot skyscraper, the PA is looking to unload a full or partial stake in the building, the Post's Steve Cuozzo relays today. One potential buyer? Steve Ross's Related Companies. Sweet! Now Ross can install a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods and sprawling Equinox, and the whole complex will be patrolled by second-rate Port Authority police officers.
Isn't putting on a dress that's been worn by a bunch of other women a little, um, unappetizing? The proprietor of new Nolita boutique Ilus doesn't seem to think so: She's renting out current-season designer frocks for three days at a time, the idea being you get to front like you can afford to parade around the Hamptons in a different outfit every weekend. Isn't that what H&M is for? [WWD]
Before dawn yesterday morning a small group of fans of affordable Swedish design (read: people without jobs) began camping out in front of the Ikea in Red Hook. Why? The home furnishings chain is giving out an Ektorp sofa to the first 35 in line when the store officially opens tomorrow morning. Sleeping in a tent for two days to earn a couch hardly makes much financial sense—with a retail price of $399, they'll collect about $8.31 in free couch for every hour they spend on line—and when you factor in the inconveniences (Porta Potty snafus, the hours of hand-wringing assembly time), you're talking about a fairly costly piece of "free" furniture that's liable to break the first time you sit on it. That might explain why there are as many reporters on the scene as people waiting on line, which might also make this the most cost-effective marketing gimmick in Ikea history.
Relentless self-promoter and former model agency owner Paolo Zampolli was kind enough to check with his friends at the Post today, recounting how his Rolls-Royce (plug 1) was smashed up outside 1OAK (plug 2) a few nights ago, but that—thank God!—Chubb Insurance (plug 3) was kind enough to hand over a check for $515,000 so he could buy a new car. We'll set aside for a moment the fact that Paolo managed to squeeze three plugs and it isn't entirely clear which of the three he's shilling for. (We'll go with 1OAK.) Let's also aside the the fact that just about every obscenely expensive item in Zampolli's possession seems to have earned ink in the Post as of late. (A few months ago, it was his $30,000 Rolex.) We're just wondering about the Post's description of him as a "UN employee." Is it possible that the sleazy night creature, who's partied with Bill Clinton and billionaire playboy Ron Burkle, is really affiliated with the global force of peace and humanity? And what ever happened to the 17 other ventures he's been involved with over the years? Like that force of "supermodel real estate brokers" he promised?
The 18-year-old French-born star had apparently been bragging to friends about replacing Keira Knightley as the face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume, in a multi-million dollar contract. Cue lots of excited media reports incorporating cute puns about "magic" and "spells"—but now Chanel is calling the story "false" and "just a rumor." Looks like poor Emma might have to struggle along on the reported $8 million she's pocketing to play Hermione Granger in the final two Harry Potter movies. [E!]
Remember when Gisele Bundchen was preaching about saving Brazilian rainforests, back when she was dating environmental poster boy Leo DiCaprio? Remember that line of sandals she designed to raise awareness about water conservation? And how she claimed she rode her bike to work every day to help the planet? Okay, fine, we didn't have any idea what this "job" was that she had to pedal to "daily," but how could we question her desire to make the world a better place? Gisele was saving the world, damn it. And she was sweet enough to instruct us on how to be just like her, posting tips on how to be more environmentally aware on her website. But it seems she's been missing those NRDC meetings!
Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin of Coldplay, has been accused of plagiarism by Brooklyn band Creaky Boards, the most rock 'n' roll incident every to brush the staggeringly boring "yoga-practicing, pescetarian ascetic" musician. For her part, Gwyneth recently told a British magazine that despite having been "approached to do records and stuff like that" she won't be tempted. A nation mourns. [NME]
