CelebritySync.com

oh what will lady gaga think of next?! i swear it seems like everyday she’s got something totally crazy on (in the past few days she did huge antlers and a cam-equipped outfit) she was spotted out last night in london (after her gig at the O2 arena) grabbing a bite to eat at mr. chow’s with a diamond-encrusted silver lobster philip treacy headpiece – along with a (rubber?) chicken claw dangling from her wrist – plus the dress is made of plastic and it’s see-through (what’s that red thing covering her ass?!) she can be a drop annoying but you must admit she does manage to keep things interesting and wackylicious! gaga’s done so well for herself – her debut album the fame just hit the 10 million sold mark – i really can’t wait to see what she’ll do – or wear next! popbytes over & out for tonight … xoxo

PHOTOS | PACIFIC COAST NEWS

What is a “blogger”? A number of famous bloggers at the Atlantic are getting introspective now that a fancy redesign has assimilated them all (except Andrew Sullivan) into a faceless system of channels and tag pages.

Pre-redesign, each blogger (or “voice” as the Atlantic adorably calls them) had their own blog complete with images, jumps, a little portrait, small design touches, etc. (Full disclosure: We can barely remember how the old Atlantic website looked.) On the main Atlantic site, all the Voices—Andrew Sullivan, James Fallows, Ta-Nehisi Coates, etc.—lived in a sidebar, and you could see their latest posts. There in the little Voices village, they chattered happily amongst themselves, each one a distinct individual who wandered around the magazine and the web at large, only loosely attached to the editorial identity of the Atlantic . The Atlantic gave the Voices each a piece of land and allowed them to tend their crop of words as they liked in exchange for a share of the traffic.

But with economic pressures came the restructuring of labor into a familiar form. The Atlantic has subsumed all the voices (save Andrew Sullivan) into “channels”—politics, business, culture, international, science & tech, national, food. The Voices “anchor” the channel, and their content is fed into the same stream as the rest of the Atlantic riff-raff churning out stuff in that channel’s purview. The anchor’s small portrait makes their posts float to the top a bit, but clicking their name only brings you to a bare-bones list of all the articles they’ve written for the site. (Andrew Sullivan still has his fancy personal blog, because he probably draws more traffic than all other Voices combined.)

The Voices are now more the voices of a columnist speaking from the editorial page of the Times . Or maybe more like a blogger at a certain Manhattan-based gossip website. Each has their own personality, maybe, but is ultimately beholden more to the overall brand than their own point of view. The Atlantic has bought back the land and now the bloggers just drive the tractors. The only reason it is safe for us to say that the Atlantic website has been Gawker-ized is that Andrew Sullivan said it first.

The Voices are generally pissed. James Fallows writes:

it is no secret within our organization that I think the new design creates problems for the magazine’s “personal” sites, like the one I have been running here these past few years. In particular, the new layout scheme — in which you see only a few-line intro to each post but no pictures, block quotes, or other amplifying material — unavoidably changes the sensibility and tone of personal blogs.

Ta-Nehisi Coates was probably most screwed by the redesign, as his frequent, highly-personal posts are least suited for the “channel” format. In a sprawling entry, he admitted to having approved the design, but also that “If I’m truly honest, I have to say that there were better ways to strike the balance between the channel, and this blog’s identity.”

Jeffery Goldberg manages maximum point with minimum words: “There are a lot of buttons on this thing. ”

But Andrew Sullivan gets at the crux of the problem facing the professional blogger today. At one point, we too went from unfettered hobbyist hanging out on the web to a guy with a hardhat and a thermos clocking into the Content Management System:

treating blogs as a series of headlines, designed to maximize pageviews, is a deep misunderstanding of blogs, their reader communities and their integrity.  I hope they get restored to their previous coherence, and these amorphous “channels” gain some editorial identity. I hope writers like Fallows and Goldberg aren’t treated as random fodder – anchors! – for “channels”. I believe in the Atlantic as a place for writing. The redesign seems to me to ooze casual indifference to that and to the respect that individual writers deserve.

It has been noted that every web publication is becoming eerily similar in layout, which begets (is a symptom of?) a convergence of content. Many of the weird corners of the Internet are being smoothed out to fit in a nice row of skyboxes and even fancy magazine writers have to get in line. But it’s not the death of the classical blogger. Far from it. As outlets like the Atlantic and Gawker become more well-oiled content-generating machines and less “cool,” personality-driven insider conversations, the new generation of auteur blogs are seriously challenging this model. If you ask Nick Denton who threatens Gawker the most he’ll say Nikki Finke, Perez Hilton and The Superficial—not the AOL news borg. The voices count more than ever, but only pageviews show up on Alexa.

Katie Couric’s contract at CBS expires in about a year. According to the Times, the network has “talked to Anderson Cooper of CNN about an anchor job.” The celebratory pictures alone would make this a very wise move. [NYT]

Jessica Simpson — who has been romantically linked to Nick Lachey, John Mayer, Tony Romo and most recently rumored to be dating musician Billy Corgan – took to her Twitter handle to give her advice on love.

Her tweet reads: "You can’t love someone else to change them. Happiness comes from accepting who they are. It is our decision to REALLY know who we love."

Simpson and NFL boyfriend Romo split in the summer of last year and she has been rumored to be seeing Smashing Pumpkins frontman Corgan. The two collaborated on a song for her new VH1 show "The Price of Beauty." In January, the pop star sent out a tweet while working with Corgan that read: "I am blessed."

This week’s episode of Tool Academy 3 gets super meta. The Tools break down the fourth wall, then the fifth, then have a protein shake and punch out the sixth.

The Tools and Toolettes must learn about modesty this week. Trina does a little bit of art therapy with the Tools to start [...]

ET has obtained new details about the investigation into the suicide death of Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son Michael Blosil.

Blosil jumped to his death from his Los Angeles apartment on Friday night around 9 p.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department tells us they received a 911 call at 9:24 p.m. and were dispatched a minute later. An individual who’d fallen from a 15-story building was found dead at the scene of the incident.

The ongoing investigation is being handled by the LAPD and the Los Angeles Coroner’s Department. An autopsy might be conducted as soon as Sunday morning.

Spending the day with her man, Ashley Tisdale and boyfriend Scott Speer were spotted side-by-side in Malibu, California on Sunday afternoon (February 28).

The loved-up pair made their way over to Cross Creek, proceeding to do a little shop…

After the Haiti earthquake, a lot of people had a problem with the media referring to the looting there as “looting”. This was racist, it was argued. Now white people in Chile are looting. Kumbaya.

Chile earthquake: 708 people dead. Horrible tragedy. Not really a good time to be settling old scores, but since said scores were unsettled during an even more horrible tragedy, it’s only fair: Can we just end the “looting” debate once and for all, now? White people loot, black people loot. Chinese people probably even would loot, as long as there wasn’t a huge poster of Chairman Mao looking over them making them feel nervous. Maybe they are looting plasma screen TVs, maybe they are looting food to feed their babies. We can rank the types of looting by whether it’s true survival-style scavenging or a quick way to stock looters’ eBay store. This is good.

But the post-Katrina game of calling newspapers racist for reporting on looting is like beer pong: Kind of a fun thing to do in college, but embarrassing once you’re out in the real world. This time around, let’s spend our time organizing a million phone-a-thons with Ryan Seacrest instead.

[WSJ] [Reuters]

In this episode, Frank asks Kerry to pull his finger.

That right there is greatness in a nutshell.

When we resume, everyone’s still reeling over last week’s Danattack, which found violence as a proposed answer for compassion and freakiness, alike.

Melody, purveyor of compassion, was particularly hurt. She says that the girls can look forward to defending themselves [...]

The cast of the "Jersey Shore" is known for raising the roof at parties but this weekend the roof caved in.

Ice broke through the ceiling at the Sony Building in New York City during a party that "Jersey Shore" cast members Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Vinny Guadagnino were attending, according to the Associated Press.

Ice shattered two 3- by 5-foot glass panels in the atrium of the building dispersing glass all over guests of the party and leaving 10 people with minor injuries, the AP reports. Reality star Snooki tweeted about the incident, writing: "At Purim before the roof collapsed lmao wtf . It’s okay Vin and I are still alive."

Doing what she does best, Lindsay Lohan was busy partying the night away in Milan, Italy on Sunday evening (February 28).

Clad in a fashionable fur-lined vest with a black top and sporty trousers, the “Georgia Rule” cutie hit u…

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Okay, time to say goodbye. I’m moving eight blocks up the street. This has been absurd. I’m starting at the Village Voice tomorrow. This is embarassing. TLDR warning. Whatever. Here we go:

Big, big thank you for everyone who contributed today.

Maybe you noticed that I had some young writers write things! They probably got the shit beaten out of them in the comments. That’s okay. There’s been a lot of talk lately about Young Media People trying to break in to The Industry! Truth be told, I wanted this gig, I got it, I loved it. I’m not the first person to want a job like this, and I won’t be the last. And as opposed to hearing about them, or hearing about them from them, or hearing older people talk about what they should do, or me telling them what they should do, I’d rather just hear from them. Even better, give them some space to talk and get them exposed. Also: they’re gonna figure out how to do this on their own without any of us telling them how to do it. If they want to know, they’ll probably ask. Hopefully it was better for them than not. I owe it. Tradition’s nice. Etc. Certainly better than me just blogging about it.

Honestly, I just wanted to drink today. They did my work for me. Delegation. It happens. Also, Jamie Peck, Rohin Guha, and Annie Werner, I owe you a round.

Anyway. Want to make it in media? Be like Hamilton or John or Ryan and work your fucking ass off. Be good. I’ve said this over and over and can’t say it enough, though: I got really lucky, and was tolerated far longer than I should have been. Nick, I’m sorry about the marbles, figuratively and literally. There’s something to be said for Nick’s management style! Besides the fact that inside this man’s rotund cranium is something utterly amazing and definitely else, I will say this: every email I ever got from Nick was terrifying. It was also always true, and some of the best editorial guidance I’ve ever had. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that said emails cost me more money than I’ve earned here in therapy bills and facial tics. Anyway. Nick could’ve canned me before today but he has a sense of mischief on many levels and so, you know, that’s fun. Sometimes. Sometimes. Thanks for letting me run amok.

I’d give you my Joe Dolce moment here but instead, you can just email me at foster [at] gawker [dot] com and you can pay me for that kind of thing. See! I did learn something.

I got lucky and worked with a bunch of kickass people. Chris Mohney and Willa Paskin at BlackBook, whatever, you know, they’re amazing. They tolerated me working seven days a week and being tired and useless far longer than they should have. They’re both extraordinary to work with and also huge mensches. Mohney, your head is also impressive. Truly.

Anna Holmes and Hortense over at Jezebel were of invaluable inspiration and assistance regularly. The Cajun Boy was the first night editor I worked with, and that was a blast. The current night squad of Adrian, Maureen, and Ravi compliment each other awesomely. Ravi and Maureen are ninjas who dissemble everything for picking up the next morning, and the havoc is awesome to see. Adrian can alchemize Play-Doh out of dust, and shape that Play-Doh into an obscure 19th century castle.

Brian Moylan, I wish my mother were here to bring out her crystals from Sedona and tell you about the color of your aura. I’m sure it’s something else. Prolly something wonderful. I pass down the Penis Investigation Badge down to you. The truth is out there, never stop searching. Ryan Tate and John Cook, everything I know about reporting right now, I basically learned from watching you guys do it, and do it so, so well. You both also have an insatiable thirst for the kind of said mischief, the important kind, that the world probably needs more of. And fuck Facebook. John, I’ll fill out your FOIA any day. Lawson, welcome back. Bye. You have a gift. Like Bobby Fischer. But you’re not totally insane from battling a computer your entire life. Yet. Appletini Partyboy, I hope you have some equity, some stock, a Swiss Bank Account, something. Christ. You’ve been at Gawker since you were nine! I know people from the Midwest have manners and shit but this has gone way, way too far. More impressive: you got me to change the way I think about politics and almost vote for Billy Talen. Hamilton, on the other hand, writes things that make me feel like a terrible person. That’s something. Besides the great, hysterical voice he’s developed, he’s fast, efficient, hard-working, and gets better by the post. Media people are not built in this form. They should be.

Remy, have fun. What, you want me to give you advice? Ha. Enjoy tomorrow morning. Enjoy the ride. And drink with your writers, often. Morale is important.

FINALLY. Gabriel Snyder, I basically owe, um, my gig to you? Both of them? Gabriel met me at a bar in May, bought me a beer, and told me to “bring her back full.” I hope, at the very least, I did that. He encouraged my mischief, made reporting exciting and a real thing for me, and, okay. Here’s a story:

At the National Book Awards, Gabriel pulls me aside for a cornerman chat as I’m finishing getting the notes for the next day’s Party Crash. First thought: Why’s he telling me how to do my Job? And then: He’s telling me how to do my job. Editors who do it are too rare. To do it to and have it have some kind of effect, and a profound one, is an exception to another rule altogether. That’s something else.

Okay, bye. I’m at the Village Voice tomorrow. This has been fun and overwrought and embarrassing and hopefully we all learned something. Mom, Dad, Helen, Mike, Notos, etc, sorry for saying “cock” so much. Working on it. Honesty is the great equalizer, compassion is what makes you a tolerable person, a sense of humor is what makes you an enjoyable one. For fuck’s sake, have one.

This was never not fun.

This bitch just refuses to settle down, doesn’t he?
A-Rod has dumped his girlfriend of two seconds, Elaine Spottswood, for being “too clingy”!
Déjà vu!
Friends close to the male ho

Juan Rico/Fame

Nothing puts a parental relationship in perspective like becoming a parent yourself. That’s the lesson Peter Krause says he learned after welcoming son Roman, 8.
“Certainly, having my own child and recognizing this movable place on the human continuum by becoming not only a son but also a father, linking those things up and [...]

Today is Weekend Editor Foster Kamer’s last day. Transparency is paramount, and as such, his exit interview is being presented without edits on the site. Andrew Krucoff of Young Manhattanite acted as the interviewer and witness to the following.

1. What are your reasons for leaving the organization? Preferably without sounding like a whiny asshole.

The Golden Rule: Fuck you, pay me. Change is nice. Also, I get to work in the same building as the long-haired dope smokers at Foursquare, the short-haired dope smokers at that design thing that copies the blogs for everyone, and the guy who wrote The Book on Phish. Also, the squares at the Village Voice. Via my attorney: “The Voice has a great history with a talented staff of writers. I’m going to be a part of a growing company with a history committed to growing talent, who I’m excited to both work with and learn from.” Was I supposed to put both of those there?

2. Can you describe your level of job satisfaction? Pick one. 1-Richard Morgan 2-Emily Gould 3-Choire Sicha 4-Richard Lawson 5-Jess Coen

3.7 Past Sheila, Almost to Alex Pareene. Enjoyed greatly. Have a lot of fun but sometimes wonder if my services wouldn’t be better utilized as someone baking cookies with illegal substances or as a fourth-party candidate for New York City mayor.

Would stay if I were more mature and had time to develop ability to perceive in sight and sound employer and employer’s legal council as funny-sounding proto-Jim Henson Workshop creations before they start causing emotional damage not covered by most health plans.

3. Besides a bonus based on self-references, what could the organization have done to encourage you to stay?

Rapper money? A NBA-like signing bonus? Wouldn’t even have to be that much money, would just have to be legally organized like a signing bonus. Also, a breakfast meeting? I’d like to go to Balthazar for breakfast one morning and not pretend I was there for “a reason.” Also, I’d like to order more than a saltshaker and a grapefruit.

4. Was the job what you expected? If not, why not?

Yes and no. Yes, in that I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would. Yes, in that it’s not easy, and that I’d be fucking terrified every morning of doing it terribly. And yes, in that I often felt like I did a shit job, and even better, knew I did. No, in that it didn’t totally destroy my job prospects. No, because I didn’t expect it to send me to physical therapy. No, because I’d do it again. For some reason, I didn’t think this would be the case.

5. What factors were important in choosing your new role?

A.

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B. Who I was working with, definitely. The Village Voice has great writers. I’ve got something to offer, but quite a bit to learn. I think it’s going to be a pretty fair exchange, moneys changed aside.

C. Whose ass am I going to have to kiss? Answer: Tony Ortega and Bill Jensen. Jensen used to play hockey. Dude could beat the shit out of me—like, I’m talking pissing blood and everything—and is young enough to probably do so if so inclined. Ortega would encourage a bar fight because he likes his writers scrappy. When I talk about learning, I’m basically talking about “how to break a bottleneck off efficiently.” And motivating factors are important. Seeing as how A.J. is this company’s de facto “enforcer” there’s really not much in that department, is there?

6. What advice would you give to a new employee who takes on your role?

Don’t be a pussy. Enjoy yourself. Listen to the commenters. Most of the time they’re wrong, but every now and then you’ll pick up something substantial. Like a copy-edit. If you pretend you’re not receiving Nick’s emails, he knows you’re doing so. The most important people to have on your side in the office, in
order:

1. Julia.
2. Kidder.
3. Nick.
129. James Del.

Also, in this order:

1. Vyvance
2. Adderall
3. Focalin
4. Ritalin
5. Concerta
6. Flu Vaccine

Finally, don’t fuck with the newly dead. It’s the only thing you’ll ever regret writing about.

7. Did you ever use the office bathroom? Wash your hands after?

Yes. There? Always. But did you know the guys in the office always piss on the seat? True story. They had to put up a sign once. The people who are the best at pissing on things don’t even work in editorial, either. Come on, that’s impressive.

[Young Manhattanite and Andrew Krucoff have signed off on this exit interview.]

… she broke up with vince vaughn, all she needs to do is look at these recent pics of him stuffing his face and licking his nasty fingers while watching canada play hockey against slovakia at the 2010 winter olympics in vancouver! (the canadians took home the gold today after they beat the US!) remember when he used to have a certain sex appeal about him? (like when he starred in 1996’s swingers) oh those days are long gone … now he is wife kyla weber’s problem – ms. aniston totally dodged a bullet! i bet she would rather be single than be stuck with this slob … i’m just sayin’! xo

PHOTOS | PACIFIC COAST NEWS

Looking to be quite the lovely couple, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth were spotted walking hand-in-hand in Toluca Lake, California on Sunday afternoon (February 28).

The “Hannah Montana” hottie and her Aussie beau chatted amon…

Since this is my last weekend on the site until I return, begging for a job as James Del’s assistant, I’ve invited some friends along. Lauren Leto is a blogger and the proprietor of Texts From Last Night. Lauren?

Maureen Dowd
Women who remember fondly the first time they got their period.

Thomas Friedman
Men who refer to young women as “young lady.”

Nicholas D. Kristof
People who are terrified others will find out that they don’t actually read the NYTimes.

David Pogue
Your friend who sneers whenever they hear the phrase “social media expert” yet call themselves that.

Guy Trebay
Your friend’s friend who always forgets to pay their part of the bill.

Frank Rich
People who spit when they talk.

Andrew Pollack
That guy your spouse knows who paid to have his whole genealogy mapped out.

Paul Krugman
People who realize that he’s better looking than George Clooney.

David Brooks
People who recognize a fellow D&D player when they see ‘em.

Gail Collins
Your aunt in Boston.

[Lauren Leto's got a WordPress blog, because Tumblr's for pansies. Truth. She's based out of Detroit, counting fat stacks of cash from her book, Texts From Last Night, which you probably contributed to inadvertently. She also wrote an awesome blog post about who your favorite author is that she'll probably also get a book deal for. I say: If you're in a bar with people from Detroit, make sure they're on your side.]