Fashion Police returned with Melissa Rivers as its host, and the show shockingly stood on its own merit. Joined by Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski, with a special appearance from Margaret Cho and NeNe Leakes, the ladies covered the 2015 Video Music Awards, and left no stone unturned. As for whether Melissa Rivers lack of comedic prowess played a part in her hosting gig, the writers beautifully weaved in subtle jokes without being too try-hard. She can only survive as a straight man, so the off-color, bold jokes of the Joan Rivers’ era won’t work. Though Rancic is a throw-away staple, and Brad’s contribution remains to be seen, Cho and Leakes deserve a permanent spot on the panel. They serve as quick-witted counterparts to Melissa’s straight-man status, which is needed without Joan. Plus, NeNe is fearless, and she’s probably the only person who can hilariously scream about Miley’s “flat ass” and disguise it as a complement.
Quote of the Day: Cindy Crawford on that Unretouched Photo
“Why would seeing a bad picture of me make other people feel good? I felt blindsided. I was very conflicted, to be honest,” she said. “I know my body, and I know it’s not perfect, but maybe I have a false body image; maybe I think I look better than I do… [Most women] think we look worse than we do. So I assumed I fell into that category, even though that picture didn’t reflect what I saw when I looked in the mirror—even in the worst dressing-room lighting.” Cindy Crawford, on the leaked, less-than-flattering photo that blew up the internet.
‘Concussion’ Trailer Debuts — NFL Firestorm Next?
What happens when a league so powerful they “own a day of the week” has their entire business threatened by evidence that the mental health of their players might be compromised? We’re about to find out. The NFL’s Concussion crisis will take center stage with a Will Smith drama about Bennet Omalu, the man who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the result of repeated brain injury, which causes depression, dementia, and other behavior changes. Though the NFL tried to discredit his findings, they are indeed alarming. According to VOX, “Doctors at Boston University’s CTE Center have since examined 79 deceased NFL players’ brains and found CTE in 76 of them.” Watch the trailer below.
Nicki Minaj Throws Shade at Miley Cyrus: WATCH NOW
I had a great amount of respect for Miley Cyrus’ recent interview in which she took aim at Nicki Minaj for “impolite” behavior, but I revoke all support after Cyrus tried to worm her way out of the comments when confronted on stage. Minaj came at her, and Miley insisted her interview was manipulated. Her subsequent sigh indicates otherwise, but if you’re going to take aim, OWN IT. As for Minaj, I’m sick of her antics. She should be happy, because she’s successful, and Miley was right to point out that everything she says is said with anger. And no — I did not call her an “angry black woman,” and I am not telling a black woman how to talk about race. I am telling a human being that she’s irritating, always causing problems, and doesn’t seem happy.
Justin Bieber Weeps During VMA Performance
Justin Bieber visited the Video Music Awards to perform ‘Where Are U Now’ and ‘What Do You Mean,’ and he closed his aerial spin with some serious tears, burying his face in his hands. Was this equivalent to a chick orgasm where a woman cries post ecstasy, or is he perhaps having a tough go of it, and we should lay off the guy for a while? I’m guessing the latter, and from the looks of it — he put a lot of effort into the show. Watch below.
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Tabloid Gossip: Your Week of News
Get the latest VMA fashion. US Weekly
Jack Nicholson stole David Spade’s girlfriend. People
Amy Purdy tied the knot. NYDN
Shia Labeouf was spotted holding hands with a new lady love. Contact Music
Selena Gomez talks Justin Bieber. Billboard
The Bachelorette’s Deanna Pappas is pregnant. E! Online
The great Wes Craven passed away. Just Jared
Robin Wright and Ben Foster called off their engagement again. The Insquistr
Lindsay Lohan did some stripper moves. TMZ
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez are going strong. Pop Sugar
Kourtney Kardashian has a very cute baby. Wonderwall
Jenna Jameson is bigger and more beautiful. Wet Paint
The View Hires Joy Behar — FINALLY Gets it Right
Joy Behar, Full House star Candace Cameron Bure and Good Morning America Weekend co-anchor Paula Faris will join ‘The View,’ and it’s safe to say ABC learned their lesson the hard way. Behar was the show’s biggest draw, and despite their aching desire to revamp their brand in light of new competition, you can’t ditch your biggest joke teller and expect a great result. If you pay close attention to the audience during Behar’s commentary, it’s almost as if there’s a laugh track behind her. She’s comfortable, and her one-on-ones with Elisabeth Hasselbeck are legendary. I imagine Candace Cameron’s right-wing stance will serve to recreate that magic. Time will tell.
Why ‘I Am Cait’ is Failing — A Full Review
When Caitlyn Jenner’s kids decided to ditch ‘I Am Cait’ upon learning that it would be produced by the same team that did ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ (Bunim/Murray), they were onto something. According to her son, Brandon Jenner, who spoke about his decision to forgo the show, “You go on E!’s Web site, the Bunim/Murray Web site, and you look at all the shows, every one of them is a circus.” The production company pushed back at the time, saying “Our track record speaks for itself,” and reminded the world that they broke ground in 1993 with ‘The Real World’s’ portrayal of Pedro Zemora, as he publicly revealed his H.I.V. status during a time when the world wasn’t quite ready to hear it. While that might be true, times have changed, and so has Bunim/Murray. In fact, its lead pioneer and co-creator of The Real World, Mary-Ellis Bunim, passed away in 2004, and though the brand’s focus changed long before her death with shows like ‘The Simple Life,’ for example, it certainly begs the question of her influence.
When I first began watching ‘I Am Cait,’ it became immediately clear that Caitlyn’s kids were right, and the show wouldn’t work. First, it should have been a documentary, not a reality show, which would warrant a different creative team. Though there are video diaries that somewhat delve into a documentary format, they severely missed the mark. In true documentary style, they should have followed Jenner before and immediately after each surgery, getting a raw reaction and showing the recovery. I realize that might not be something Jenner was comfortable with, but authenticity is key, so go big or go home. Second, some of the most compelling aspects of Caitlyn Jenner’s life is her failure as a father, especially with the four children from her first two marriages that she left behind. They’ve since reconciled, but I’d like to see an honest interview about those relationships, perhaps even featuring her ex-wives. If you are going to show your life, then show it — warts and all. Third, If the sole reason Caitlyn Jenner’s children chose not to appear in the show has to do with the production company, then I’d have chosen a different production company, because without the kids — there’s no show. Caitlyn simply isn’t compelling enough to carry an hour as a solo star (especially without the content I just mentioned), and the only “friends” on the show are clearly casting choices rather than true emotional connections. Does she have other childhood friends, and are they simply too uncomfortable to appear? Or was Bruce Jenner a hermit that alienated everyone, thereby pushing out any potential for long term friendships? And if it’s the latter, be honest about it, because this doesn’t work without honesty.
The only saving grace for the show occurs when the Kardashians appear, and their resentment toward the way Caitlyn has handled her transition in the media (by bashing their mom) would explain why they aren’t series regulars. Plus, they have a brand to protect, and appearing on too many shows will over saturate their audience. One thing; however, is clear. Caitlyn Jenner underestimated Kris Jenner’s genius, because if it were Kris’ show tanking, the Momager would find a way to save it.
Quote of the Day: Josh Duggar’s Brother-in-Law Speaks
“You have to confess and forsake your sin to have mercy. Not sin confess and repeat.” The brother of Josh Duggar’s wife, on his desire to have his disgraced relative booted from the family.
Mayor de Blasio v. Times Square’s Topless Ladies
If you’ve been anywhere near Times Square in recent years, you are surely familiar with the legion of entrepreneurial costumed characters (Elmo, Iron Man, Minnie Mouse, etc.) who graciously offer visitors a hug and a photo opportunity for a price, at times unbeknownst to tourists until the photo is snapped. Topless painted ladies (“desnudas”) have now closed in on Elmo’s action, and the scantily clad ladies are berating tourists for not handing over enough money.
NYC’s Mayor de Blasio and other City officials have vowed to crack down on what has been described as aggressive and predatory panhandling. As Scout Willis showed us, public toplessness is legal in NYC (NOTE: the only States that wholly Law ban toplessness are IN, TN, and UT), but aggressive panhandling is not.
De Blasio emphasizes that both the desnudas and the “furry creatures” of Times Square are engaged in business, rather than creative artistic expression. He told the New York Times that he believes this “opens the door” to regulate them the way the City “would any other business. And we will do so, while still respecting constitutional rights.”
A City Councilman whose district includes Times Square said that Times Square can be quirky and chaotic but it can’t be unsafe and creepy. Indeed, this may be a difficult line to draw. The Councilman has been working on a bill that would place time, place and manner restrictions on the topless and the costumed characters, as the City has done with street vendors in crowded areas like Central Park.
Does the mere fact that the desnudas earn money make them a street vendor, and doesn’t that undercut the artistic value of their brand of entertainment? As this story found its way through the NYC newspapers, I was not too surprised when the Daily News published an “exclusive” story, with gratuitous photos, describing “shady bosses” who handle the desnudas affairs and take a 30-40% share of their earnings. According to the National Employment Law Project, these “managers” lend support to the notion that the desnudas are doing business, and they could perhaps be subject to minimum wage laws. Maybe after NY’s fast food workers get their $15 hourly wage, the topless painted ladies could make a similar pitch?
Notwithstanding the strong opposition to desnudas running rampant, de Blasio and City officials must be careful in crafting a solution. Although the business-over-art argument may look good in the papers, famed civil rights lawyer Ron Kuby doesn’t buy it. “You take two bare breasts, add the request for money which is legal, and you end up with legal behavior,” he told DNAinfo. “Two boobs, one beg, equals lawful.” So, until the City unveils its plan, desnudas and the costumed characters are free to bomb your photos and pocket your money.