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 Former Viacam CEO Frank Biondi has joined corporate raider Carl Icahn in his push to take control of TimeWarner. But what really made us say wow is Biondi's offer to take on the roll of Chairman & CEO if their ambush is successful. We gotta hand it to him he has some big balls to make such a statement. They just weren't big enough when he was at Viacom. [Mediaweek] Labels: FrankBiondi |
 We guess they have to cut 80 Moore jobs to cover the recent purchase of Golf.com Anne Moore and her axe swinging underlings are desperately hacking away at jobs just in time for their fourth quarter and 2005 earnings release. The cuts are expected to fall heavy on the poor bastards in the editorial and business divisions of Time Inc.'s biggest titles including Time, Sports Illustrated and Fortune. |
 The Wall Street Journal wants us to know more about the characters they write about. So the geniuses came up with what they call a comprehensive index of all people who are mentioned in the days stories. So with that said we should all be ready for a Ken Lay over kill. "People like to read about people," said Paul E. Steiger, managing editor of The Journal. "We're going to go with more names and a device that will help people if they or their best friends or worst enemies are somewhere in the paper." Our worst enemies are usually featured in the New York Post. Steiger also says the paper will reduce it's manly size from 15 inches to 12 inches. [NYT] |
| The man we love to hate Reality show king Mark Burnette will now annoy us even more when he launches a realty show on AOL. Thank god we canceled our membership. The show, "Gold Rush!," will feature a cast of competitors searching for hidden treasure across the United States. Umm not sounding too exciting! but didn't Whoopie Goldberg star in a movie with the same story line? [Reuters] |
 New York Daily News did the unthinkable and gave their website a little nip and tuck. The site is a little more soft and ohhh wow! they mad the nav bar wine red. They even changed the font to what looks like 'Arial'. Geee........will we soon have to pay to read? |
 Newsweek: Our boys are kinetic, maddening and failing at school. Now educators are trying new ways to help them succeed. We have way to help them succeed.............stop making new fucking video games everyday. And force them to think about their ugly math teacher instead of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and the Olsen twins [NW]BusinessWeek: Of course the man who was part of a major deal announcement this week would be featured on the cover of BusinessWeek. Steve Jobs sold his mega animation house Pixar to Disney and now sits very fucking pretty on the board of directors. Sorry Les Moonves your deal was nothing worthy of a cover story. But we are predicting a future cover story that will read "IGER OUT AT DISNEY" [BW] Time: Time magazine asks "Would you buy a new car from Bill Ford" But we ask, haven't millions of us already purchased cars and/or trucks from this man? Wait is there something we should know? [Time] Labels: Readables |
 Media loving media mogul Les Moonves says that he may sell off his company's theme park business because it doesn't fit into the new CBS Corp style. Well it does make sense. With the planned launch of "The CW" (god we fucking hate that name) Les may need the extra cash to cushion any fall outs from the new channel. Hey Les take Julie for one last ride before you sell. [CNNmoney] |
 Like it's big sister CNN.com, CNNmoney.com keeps the poll questions rolling and we have to say we love America! |
 Apparently CNN staple Larry King had to get the all OK from his doctor and his wedding night before getting in the sack with his very younger wife Shawn Southwick. But the real kicker is when she stated the following: "Larry has this Indian costume that just drives me wild . . . I wear chaps!" excuse me I have to go vomit now! [NYP] |
 MSNBC.com gossiper Jeannette Walls should really think about getting a co-editor or co-gossiper or co-something. A serious gossiper's column should not shut down because the gossiper is on fucking vacation! |
 Oprah finally woke up and smelled the bullshit cooking in James Frey's book. After calling in on Larry King Live and defending what the rest of America believed to be bullshit Oprah changed sides and questioned Frey on her show and made it clear that she was upset.Said 'O' on her show: "It is difficult for me to talk to you because I really feel duped ...Butt more importantly I feel that you betrayed millions of readers" Winfrey said to Frey, who wrote the hugely popular A Million Little Pieces. Said 'O' two weeks agon on LKL: "What is relevant is that he was a drug addict ... and stepped out of that history to be the man he is today and to take that message to save other people and allow them to save themselves". Winfrey said in the surprise call two weeks ago. We wonder is Oprah's book club will ever be the same again? [AP via MSNBC]Labels: JamesFrey |
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 No wonder people can't even get an interview there. Conde Nast has filled two vacant posts with familiar faces.Paul Jowdy, vp, publisher of CN's Details, was named vp, publisher of Bon Appétit. Jowdy replaces Leslie Picard, who left the company this week to become senior vp, sales for Time Inc. Replacing Jowdy at Details will be former publisher Chris Mitchell. Mitchell had been vp, publisher at the men's monthly until leaving last September, at which time Jowdy took over the position. Mitchell left Conde to become CEO of a furniture company. We wonder why such a strange change of course, but he beat everyone to the punch and tried to explain himself: "It was something that I felt compelled to do at the time. Everyone has that one thing lurking at the back of their mind of what they should be doing. That one idea for me was, 'What would it be like to run your own business?'" Hmmm come to think of it feel like I should start a phone sex service!! [MW] Labels: CondeNast |
 MTV is about to go through some changes. The cable net will revolve around two systems. One system will include the development of short-form video, music and news content for numerous digital vehicles. Perhaps a ringtone with Sumner Redstone voice rapping "Shake ya laffy taffy"The other system will include (but not limited to) maintaining and growing MTV's leadership position in the television arena through the continued development of successful long-form franchises." Yeeeahh! does this mean another season of Meet the Barkers? Or does this mean our nose bleeds will last longer due to the reality heavy weekend line up? [Reuters] Labels: FreshNews |
 One of the men who served with Jim Frey in rehab is not only a state judge in Louisiana, but was convicted of mail fraud in June, so yeah he is credible. Milking his seconds of fame the Judge Alan J. Green said he is the character Miles in Frey's book and shared his thoughts on the book's content."Over all, I think he gave a pretty accurate description," Judge Green said of the book. But, he added, "there may have been some differences in how I would have described things." The other Junkie offered up by the book's publisher is a guy named Richard who stated: "Mr. Frey's descriptions were "pretty much" accurate, but I am not sure about whether physical confrontations between patients were as prevalent as Mr. Frey describes. I saw a lot of edginess, people getting in each other's faces, but I don't remember any knock-down-drag-outs," he said. See what drug and alcohol abuse does to you? [NYT] Labels: JamesFrey |
 Judy Mizner got the boot from The Village Voice yesterday but we don't know what the hell for. Is she taking another job was she downloading too much porn..........What? Anyway Judes shot off a sweet little email to her former team:"I thank all of you for making these the 7 best years of my career. . . Through it all, you have shown unsurpassed loyalty and commitment to the Voice. I am confident that a successful future lies ahead for you in the new organization and wish you the best of luck. I will miss you." We sure hope they feel the same way Judy. Michael Cohen, 41, publisher of the Miami New Times, will take over for Judy as on Monday. [NYP] |
 Donald Trump got the Diller bug when he decided to slap his name on a new travel website called Gotrump.com We don't expect for this new venture to be a success because..........Well Barry Diller will make sure it's not. Gotrump.com We're sure will be yet another self promotion vehicle for the self loving real estate mogul. No thanks Mr. Trump we'll stick with Expedia.com |
 CNN Analyst turned author, turned Bin laden pr man, Tim Bergen seems to really know a thing our two about terror thug osama bin laden. For one he says that osama is a Larry King fan. Also in a mouth piecey kind of way he claims that: "He's not living in a cave - he's living somewhere with more amenities, His most recent statements show a Talmudic attention to the news."Osama's mouthpiece also went on to say: "The guy is not gonna die of natural causes. He never had kidney disease. If you want to kill him, you'll have to find him" Hey Tim, we didn't know osama hired you as his pr person. Any chance you can tell us where he is? [NYDN] |
 Robert Iger and Steve Jobs are officially in bed together and the media is eating it up more then even Wall Street is. The deal brings in a Pixar man to oversee animation and puts Jobs in a powerful position that if utilized can see Iger out the door if he slips! [AP] |
 CBS Corp and Warner Bros. in an effort to steal the light from the pending Disney Pixar nuptials announced that they will join their struggling networks UPN and The WB to form another struggling network called 'The CW'. The new network will launch in the fall with 30 hours of programming seven days a week. Oh dam! does this mean The WB frog will be laid to rest ? [The AP] |
 TimeOut New York living up to what magazines with "New York" in their titles do has come up with the 25 New Yorkers to keep an eye on. We only hope that some of these socalled up and comers are worth looking at! They could have done a better job on the cover!! like a picture collage of the listees maybe? [TONY] |
 Talk show queen and James Frey supporter Oprah Winfrey hopes to make even more money with a planned "Rachel Ray" talk show.Said the cook: "I want the show to be fun -- a lot of laughter," she says. "I'm not interested in chit-chatting with experts or talking about anything serious, and I don't want any crying because that's not me. I want to stay true to myself." No woman no cry! [Reuters] Labels: JamesFrey |
| Disney's big mouse Bob Iger got the green light from his board to do a deal with Pixar. Will Pixar bite and what kind of power will Pixar's Steve "iPod" Jobs hold if the deal goes through? Will Mickey Mouse start to carry an iPod? Will the deal be announced today? [AP] |
 The New York Post and Daily News woke up on different sides of the bed this morning. Daly News is doing it's part to indirectly promote yet another drug which overweight people will no doubt become addicted to. Peter Braunstein is loving the attention from the media. Too bad we will all forget about him soon, if we didn't already.Andrea Bronfman, the wife of former billionaire Seagram co-chairman Charles Bronfman, was struck by a cab and killed yesterday while crossing Fifth Avenue just steps from her palatial apartment. Fifth ave is the official racing strip of NYC cabs ya know! [NYDN] [NYP] |
 Hugh is spreading the love way overseas. An Indonesian publisher vowed on Friday to go ahead with the launch of a local version of Playboy magazine despite growing protests from conservative Muslim groups and nationalist politicians. We wonder what kind of women will be gracing the covers of this version? [Reuters] |
 New York's three prominent newspapers all have something in common today, they all put the faces of monsters on their front page. The New York Post's bold headline is bold and very appropriate. However Both the New York Daily News and Newsday decided to go with the most recent monster, the child killer Cesar Rodriguez who ironically has excuses for his horrible actions. [NYP, NYDN, ND] |
 Disney boss Bob Iger may end up doing something former CEO turned talk show host Mike Eisner failed to do. Lock in Steve Jobs and his Pixar wizards. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Disney is in talks to buy Pixar and make Steve Jobs even richer. If Disney snaps up Pixar, Jobs will be the biggest single shareholder in Disney. Hey desperate situations calls for desperate resolutions. [AP] |
 CNN's new pipeline video service can be addictive if not used carefully. We have overdosed a couple of times in the past month but we managed to jump back. [CNN Pipeline] |
Never mind that Liberia has a new President who happens to be a woman,  or even that the sick bastard of a President in Iran is getting more out of hand. Because Bode Miller's recent mouth off is bigger news.Time Magazine says: Skiing's Wild Child, Is Willful, Thoughtful and the Most Exciting Show on Snow. NewWeek says: On a pair of skis, no one in the world is more dazzling to watch. Once they come off and he opens his mouth? That's when Bode Miller starts to get really interesting. We say: WOW! |
 New York Magazine tells you how to save BIG! Penny pinchers get the low down on where to get your favorite shit butt cheap. NYM also reveals the dirtly little secret that the post Christmas sales started before Christmas. So does this mean I was cheated in thinking I got a good deal on my new coat?? Someone help! [NYM] |
 Mega bucks investor Warren Buffett want into the public relations business. His company Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to purchase Businesswire. But there is good news for the folks at Businesswire, they get to keep their jobs.Said the billionaire: "In making this acquisition of Business Wire, we have followed our blueprint of buying profitable companies that are industry leaders, yet have significant growth potential," said Buffett in a statement released on Business Wire. |
Newsweek: The story on Ariel Sharon tells of the signs of his failing health by one of his aides. The story tells of everything leading up to his stroke and the chaos his people are still expecting if and when he passes. more... Businessweek: Boring cover and even more boring story, unless you do want Math to rock your world. However the 'Media Centric' section has a snazzy little article titled "Putting the screws to Google" yeah who isn't? Microsoft is a blog hater. The company killed a blog on their MSN site "because it rankled Beijing" more... Time: The cover story is interesting. Jack Abramoff is a super lobbyist in DC who is changing the game. An article about disgraced politician Tom Delay is also a must read. The Bush administration thinks he's a burden...What isn't? The mag asks "Who is the real Arnold" it's AAAUHNALD DAWLINGS!! we had to!! more... Labels: Readables |
 Dr. Phil is officially in the hook-up business. The Dr. has signed on the dotted line with hook up website match.com as it's official spokesman. He will star in an advertising campaign for Match that will have its debut on Sunday........ so set your auto tunes and pop the popcorn. [NYT] |
| It seems as though shock jock Howard Stern can't get away from terrestrial radio. Illegal pirate radio broadcasts of his Sirius Satellite program have been heard this week - for free - on broadcast radio, including 95.1 FM in Brooklyn and 101.5 FM in North Jersey. FCC mouthpiece David Fiske stated: "Pirate broadcasting is something we take very seriously," Fiske said, "although the content per se would be of no concern to us in the case of Howard Stern, since the FCC does not regulate satellite radio." [NYDN] |
 Starbucks Coffee is slowly moving into the media big time. First music and now movies. The company will spend the millions we spend there to promote a new Lawrence Fishburne movie titled Akeelah and the Bee" Here is the Schultz take on the whole thing. "Over the past year, we viewed countless films in pursuit of finding the perfect film," Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz said in a statement. "We think our customers will appreciate the warmth and authenticity of "Akeelah and the Bee." Will the theaters serve free latte's with that? [NYDN] |
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Debra Lee Black Entertainment Television's (BET) CEO has put in motion her plan to put her stamp on the house Bob Johnson built and sold for $3Billion. Ms. Lee won't say so we will, BET drove the already negative stereotypes of Black Americans for years but at the same time served as a voice. [NYT] |
 Today's media soup is Stern Eisner Korn Gumbo:
Tasty we think!! |
 Time Inc CEO Anne S. Moore is slashing jobs to save $100 Million and seeking someone to fill the Time4Media CEO slot at the same time. Sources are saying that the short list includes Michael Rooney, a senior vice president of multi-media sales at ESPN, and Tom Beusse, who was until recently the president of the magazine division of Rodale. Neither could be reached for comment at press time. [NYP] |
 The man who ruled the house Walt built will now take a shot at being talk show host. CNBC announced Tuesday that he will be host of "Conversations with Michael Eisner," an hour-long, prime-time interview show that will be seen once every two months. The network didn't announce a premiere date or first guest.We have a pool going here at MWD on how long this show will last until Jeff Zucker orders it killed. [Ap] |
 The New York Observer is being shopped around like a 2 dollar whore by it's Editor Peter Kaplan. The paper has been in the red and circ has stalled around 45,000. Will this NYC staple survive or will it go under. [NYP] |
 Business Week publisher McGraw Hill admitted to butchering 500 jobs in 2005 in an effort to save money. The job cuts announced yesterday account for 2.6 percent of the company's workforce, and included positions at McGraw-Hill's construction and aviation information units, as well as at its education testing and financial services divisions. There goes Bush's polls! [NYP] |
 The media has been there with the families who lost loved ones in the coal mine explosion in WV. We can't get away from this story and for some reason we don't want to. The most recent development is the discovery of notes written by the men in the dark. However some wacky radio show hosts believe the notes were planted by the mining company.....Way to go dick head![NYDN] |
 As if their pockets weren't deep enough Wall Street is jacking off to Google's predicted stock price of $600 a share. This means investors will stuff their face with cash much like the picture at right and their bimbo wives and mistresses will get even more nips and tucks than the show itself. Isn't America great?! [NYDN] |
 Mort B. Zuckerman chairman and publisher of the New York Daily News, has announced the appointment of Marc Kramer - one of the city's youngest and most highly respected newspaper executives - as chief executive officer. And may we add that the quotes didn't come up short at all on this one!This after his corporate house was raided by rival tabloid the NY Post. "I am absolutely thrilled that Marc has agreed to lead the management team at the Daily News". Our continuation of this statement by Zuckerman would read a little something like this: "I am absolutely thrilled that Marc has agreed to lead the management team at the Daily News and I we gave him a nice bonus so I hope he won't jump ship like that other guy did". |
