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ABC News Chief Tells His Reporters to Turn a Terror Threat Story Into a 'Thriller'

John Cook · 10/13/11 01:58PM

ABC News president Ben Sherwood is a notorious social climber and horrible self-help writer whose detractors call him "the Draco Malfoy of broadcast news." When he took over the news division last year, some at the network worried that he was more of a "Hollywood Guy" than a "News Guy." How Hollywood? Last month he told his staff in a morning conference call to stop reporting news of a potential terror plot timed to the 9/11 anniversary in such a "measured way" and to "turn this into a thriller."

Occupy Wall Street Faces Eviction Friday Morning

Adrian Chen · 10/13/11 01:27PM

Occupy Wall Street's camp out in Zuccotti Park could come to a messy end Friday morning. The city has given protesters a 7 a.m. deadline to clear the park for a "cleaning" that would effectively end the occupation. But occupiers promise to resist.

The Mystery of Ron Paul's Collapsing Eyebrow

Jim Newell · 10/13/11 01:13PM

Okay, sorry, this post probably should have been tagged "NSFW" due to the large image of an old man's melting face. But let's move beyond courtesies: Was Ron Paul's eyebrow collapsing during Tuesday's debate? This image appears to show a fake eyebrow just stone cold fallin' off.

Fox News Boldly Declares Sexy Women the Funniest Women

Richard Lawson · 10/13/11 12:14PM

It's rare that you come across an article and, upon reading it, wonder to yourself "Is this the most horrifying thing ever written?" But occasionally there are things like this, an article on Fox News' website bearing the title "New Crop of Comediennes Combine Funny Bones With Banging Bodies." Terrific!

Revenge Is the Best New Show on Television

Brian Moylan · 10/13/11 12:05PM

I really didn't want to like Revenge, ABC's new sudsy drama about a young woman trying to right the wrongs done to her family. I mean, there were all those awful ads (including some on this site) with Emily VanCamp standing in a pile of thorns. It just looked so schlocky! Was I ever wrong.

Obama Campaign Raises Disgusting Amount of Money

Jim Newell · 10/13/11 11:38AM

Who would donate to the Barack Obama reelection campaign now, when everyone hates politics and life and he's not even in a difficult primary or anything? Apparently plenty of people would! He raised $42.8 million during the third quarter for his campaign committee, and another $27.3 million for the national party.

Billionaire Walmart Heiress Arrested for DWI

Maureen O'Connor · 10/13/11 11:28AM

Alice Walton, billionaire daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, was arrested for DWI on the night of her 62nd birthday in Mineral Wells, Texas. Last time she got a DWI, Alice screamed, "I'm Alice Walton, bitch!" No such outbursts this time. That we know of. Yet.

Hugh Jackman Peed His Pants Onstage

Maureen O'Connor · 10/13/11 10:49AM

Hugh Jackman held a woman in his arms, and it made him pee. Whitney Houston throw a tantrum on an airplane. Hilary Swank "deeply regrets" war criminal fete. Ashton worries about ratings. Thursday gossip is all wet.

Soldiers Are Metrosexuals Now

Hamilton Nolan · 10/13/11 10:38AM

Following the U.S. Army's establishment of a wuss workout program and, more broadly, the year-long erosion of American masculinity, it's little wonder that our nation's fighting forces are now more concerned with eyebrow grooming than with removing the digits of enemy soldiers to bring home as souvenirs. Is America's metrosexual Army going to be able to endure the harsh skin-drying effects of the Middle Eastern climate?

New York Times Asks For More Newsroom Buyouts

Hamilton Nolan · 10/13/11 10:33AM

The following email just went out to New York Times newsroom staffers. These are the first buyout offers the paper's put out since the real depths of the recession in 2009. "Voluntary," yes. But not a good sign.

Which Talk Show Host Loves to Visit Brothels?

Brian Moylan · 10/13/11 09:51AM

This TV gabber employs hookers around the world. This Hollywood husband is cheating (who isn't?). And this famous wife was investigating her husband because she thought he was January Jones' babydaddy. He may not be, but she found even more secrets.

Bare Boob Advocate Bares Boobs in Court

Hamilton Nolan · 10/13/11 08:16AM

Holly Van Voast (pictured, center) is a woman with a bold name and an equally bold cause: breasts, breasts, breasts. Holly Van Voast's breasts, specifically. In public! In a courtroom! Breasts everywhere, for all!