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Rankin's New Glossy, The Hunger -- Sneak Peek Photos

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Hunger Cover Sky Ferreira.jpgDazed & Confused Co-Founder and photog extraordinaire, Rankin, is launching a massive new fashion and lifestyle publication called The Hunger featuring arresting photographs of Lucy Liu, Sky Ferreira and Rhys Ifans, to name a few. The mag, which will come out biannually, is celebrating its launch with a party at Rankin's LA gallery tomorrow night. In the meantime, scroll down for more images from the inaugural issue.  


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Hunger-6.jpgMilla Jovovich

Hunger -7.jpgMilla Jovovich

Hunger-8.jpgPortia Freeman

Hunger-5.jpgErin O'Connor

HungerTerenceStamp.jpgTerence Stamp


5 Reasons We Actually Kinda Liked Ghost: The Musical

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b012l4p7_640_360.jpgMost eighties babies never looked at pottery wheels quite the same after seeing the 1990 film Ghost, starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze as young lovers. The movie's iconic, romantic scene where Moore, as Molly, is haunted by the ghost of her murdered husband Sam (Swayze), while molding a clay vase, and listening to "Unchained Melody," is forever cemented as one of this writer's cues to cry. Now, after a successful run on the West End, Ghost the Musical is coming to Broadway this spring. We saw a preview last week with a staunch chip on our shoulders in allegiance with our beloved movie version, but it turns out there's more romance to be milked out of Ghost's story than we thought. Here are five reasons we'll be binging on the Baskin-Robbins after seeing the full production in March.

1. At the presentation, Ghost's screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin who also wrote the musical's book, revealed that Sam and Molly's infamous "I love you," "ditto" exchange was inspired by his inability to say "I love you. too" to an ex-girlfriend. Instead, he would simply reply, "ditto." When he met his now-wife he was finally able to say "I love you" back and ditched the "ditto," but it stayed in the movie as Sam and Molly's term on endearment.

2. Rubin also informed the audience that his choice to make Molly a sculptor was inspired by his wife's sculptural skills. He wanted to convey that Molly was a strong woman who cold mold large amounts of clay, find Sam's murderer and move on with her life.

3. Ghost's songwriters, Glen Ballard and the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, are two of the most successful pop music songwriters in the business, so they, of course, know a thing or two about an epic love ballad. (Ballard worked on Wilson Phillips' debut album. Need we say more?) It makes sense, then, that songs like "Here I Am," and "With You" had just the right amount of sap without melting into a puddle of overdone schmaltz.    

4. Sam, played by Richard Fleeshman, has Patrick Swayze-style-swoon-worthy pecs. What a relief.

5. Although part of us would like nothing more than to see a '90s Demi Moore clone playing Molly, we do think Broadway actress Caissie Levy's wavy, blonde locks look hotter than Moore's boyish pixie cut which always kind of irked us in the film.

Pictured is Levy and Fleeshman recreating the pottery sex scene in Ghost the Musical which opens on March 15th at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. 







Sad Face: 19 Reaction Shots from Oscar Losers

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Let's face it: It's no fun not winning an Academy Award. Here are some of the more memorable reaction shots of losers doing their very best to smile and keep it together, and in some cases, failing, when they've learned they did not win an Oscar.

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Talia Shire losing out to Faye Dunaway for Best Actress in 1977.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 5.34.32 PM.pngVanessa Redgrave losing out to Marisa Tomei for Best Supporting Actress in 1993. (Read more about this famous Oscar upset here!)

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 5.18.07 PM.pngLauren Bacall losing out to Juliette Binoche for Best Actress in 1997.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.57.17 PM.pngNick Nolte losing out to Roberto Benigni for Best Actor in 1999.


Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.50.52 PM.pngKate Winslet losing out to Jennifer Connelly for Best Supporting Actress in 2002.

jack-nicholson-2003 brody.pngJack Nichelson losing out to Adrien Brody for Best Actor in 2003.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.48.11 PM.pngNaomi Watts losing out to Charlize Theron for Best Actress in 2004.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.45.30 PM.pngHolly Hunter losing out to Renee Zellweger for Best Supporting Actress in 2004.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.59.47 PM.pngBill Murray losing out to Sean Penn for Best Actor in 2004.

alan-alda-2005.pngAlan Alda losing out to Morgan Freeman for Best Supporting Actor in 2004.

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Samuel L. Jackson losing out to Martin Landau for Best Supporting Actor in 2005. (Above, right before he said, "shit.")


amy-adams 2006.pngAmy Adams losing out to Rachel Weisz for Best Supporting Actress in 2005.


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Charlize Theron losing out to Reese Witherspoon for Best Actress in 2006.

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 5.03.28 PM.pngEddie Murphy losing out to Alan Arkin for Best Supporting Actor in 2007. (Right after this, Eddie stormed out of the theater.)

Screen shot 2012-01-24 at 4.30.52 PM.pngCate Blanchett losing out to Marilon Cotillard for Best Actress in 2009.

anne hathaway-2009.pngAnne Hathaway losing out to Kate Winslet for Best Actress in 2009.

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Helen Mirren losing out to Sandra Bullock for Best Actress in 2010.

george-clooney-2010.pngGeorge Clooney losing out to Jeff Bridges for Best Actor in 2010.

jesse-eisenberg-2011.pngJesse Eisenberg losing out to Colin Firth for Best Actor in 2011.

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Hailee Steinfeld losing out to Melissa Leo for Best Supporting Actress in 2011.

michelle-williams-2011.pngMichelle Williams losing out to Natalie Portman for Best Actress in 2011.


Michel Gondry's Insane Commercial For a Japanese Department Store

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Behold, Michel Gondry's very bizarre, very goofy commercial for a Japanese department store featuring a giant foot. A delight for Gondry fans, a nightmare factory for people who don't like feet. 


E.L. Doctorow at The Strand

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To be perfectly honest, we didn't realize the famous novelist was still alive! The author of classics like Ragtime and Billy Bathgate reads from his latest, a collection of short, more inward-looking stories, All the Time in the World.

Puppy Bowl VIII: Starting Lineup, News and Predictions

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With the exception of stuffing yourself with Cool Ranch Doritos, day drinking and actually paying attention to commercials, there's really no other Super Bowl-related activity more important than tuning into Animal Planet's annual Puppy Bowl. This year's Puppy Bowl VIII has a stellar starting lineup of young, whiskered all-stars who definitely look like they're ready for some football. Check out a few of our favorite furry faces from 2012's team in the gallery above and see the whole crew here. Go, dogs, go! We have some game day predictions to make, but first some important Puppy Bowl VIII news:

-- Though the cheer squad has included bunnies and chickens in years past, PB VIII's cheerleaders are pigs! The Piggy Pep Squad will likely bring fabulous new meaning to the phrase "rooting from the sidelines."

-- This year features "Meep the Bird," who will be tweeting about behind-the-scenes tidbits from Animal Planet Stadium. The feed is empty right now, but you know that Friday is already pulling some "unpuppylike conduct" shit during practices. Start pre-tweeting, Meep! We need the dirt.

dan-schachner-175x175.jpg-- There's a new ref named Dan. According to a Q&A on the PB site, his favorite plays to call include "Unnecessary ruff, ruff, ruff-ness," "Illegal Use of the Paws," and "Excessive cuteness on the Field."


PUPPY BOWL VIII PREDICTIONS:

MVP: Malie. Those are the mis-matched eyes of an ace athlete who out-performs every time. The team couldn't do it without you, Malie!

Best athlete: Baskin. Just look at that mug! He's obviously a great runner, very determined and will smoke slugs like Anthony and Lucie, both shoo-ins for Best On-Field Nappers.

Coach favorite: Calvin. Clearly a true-blue guy.

Ejected from game: Friday.

Most likely to ask out a Bissell Kitty Half-Time dancer after being ejected from game: Friday

Most likely to eat the hamsters piloting the IceBreakers Mints overhead blimp: Abilene wants blood.

The Puppy Bowl airs Sunday, February 5th, at 3-5  p.m. E/P. All of the players featured in PB VIII are also up for adoption! Info here. (We also know of some adoptable pups at the Humane Society of New York who would make a great addition to any team, by the by.).


Tips for Today: Katy B + Le Tigre + E.L. Doctorow

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katy-btips.jpegKaty B at DROM 

22-year-old electro-pop/dubstep phenom Katy B makes a rare appearance in New York City, taking over small-ish East Village club DROM, for the kind of concert that will surely turn into a sweaty dance party.

DROM, 85 Ave. A. 9 p.m. $14 in advance, $17 at the door.

Le Tigre at Nitehawk Cinemas

Kerthy Fix's documentary Who Took the Bomp? chronicles iconic (now disbanded) electro post-punk trio Le Tigre, as Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson embarked on their final tour in 2004. The band will actually be reuniting for a post-screening Q&A, so the event is understandably sold out.

Nitehawk Cinemas, 136 Metropolitan Ave. 9 p.m. Sold out.

E.L. Doctorow at The Strand

To be honest, we didn't realize the famous novelist was still alive! The author of classics like Ragtime and Billy Bathgate reads from his latest, a collection of short, more inward-looking stories, All the Time in the World.

The Strand, 828 Broadway, 7 p.m. Free.


The Morning Funnies: Shit @OscarPRGirl Says + Obama's "Spilled Milk" Joke

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1. OK OK OK one more! "Shit @OscarPRGirl Says," which lovingly mocks Oscar De La Renta's publicist's Twitter feed, and starring John Jannuzzi, Erica Domesek and PAPER contributor Andrew Mukamal.

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2. According to Politico, the Internet did not care for Barack Obama's "spilled milk" joke during last night's State of the Union address. His former speechwriter Jon Lovett tweeted, "I'm going to remain udderly silent." 


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4. SNL writer John Mulaney gets into it about classic '90s film Empire Records with GQ: "It's like, these people show up to work, they work at a record store, and they find out, Oh, the boss has no money. And then they're like, Oh, let's save work! Who wants to save work? Whoever wants to save their job? When I used to temp I would show up everyday hoping that the building would be on fire. If they told me, 'Hey, we're out of money,' I would have been so happy. But I've never thought like, you know, Who am I worried about? My boss. Let's get him some more cash flow. I'm going to put a bunch of effort into saving this record store that I don't own."

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Sleigh Bells' "Comeback Kid" Is Our Music Video of the Day

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Are you ready for one of the most anticipated albums of the year? The second studio album from the Brooklyn-based duo Sleigh Bells is coming on February 21st and here's their new video for a track called "Comeback Kid." Allison Krauss and Derek Miller are also about to embark on one of the coolest and strangest tours that we've encountered. Starting February 3rd and ending up on Valentine's Day, they're playing 8 nights in just one state, Florida. Plus there's a special bonus: this "Paradise Lost" tour also includes Diplo and Brooklyn's metal gods Liturgy.  See you in Miami on the 14th, Valentine! 


Paul Rudd on Why Men Like Boobs.

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"Maybe just cause they're awesome."

Paul Rudd (aka Pauly Ruddy, as he's known at PAPERMAG HQ) took part in Rookie Mag's "Ask a Grown Man" video series, wherein he also answers questions about when boys become men, whether boys and girls can just be friends and matching underwear.


Tahrir Square: 16 Striking Images One Year Later

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Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Egyptian protests, many of which took place in Cairo's Tahrir Square, that ultimately ousted former President Hosni Mubarak and helped launch the Arab Spring. Over the past year, the rest of the world has witnessed significant changes in the country and region while, at the same time, its residents continue to struggle with lingering uncertainty and instability. What started as a largely peaceful protest at times became terrifyingly violent but, one year later, many Egyptians are still hopeful.  We've compiled some of the most striking and beautiful images taken from people on the ground during this pivotal moment.


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.13.09 PM.png"Family with candles spelling the word 'Irhal' (Go Away)" via nebedaay

Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.56.53 PM.png"Protestors break paving stones for the defence of Tahrir Square in front of a shop spray painted with the word Facebook" via Interact SpA-Play innovation

Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.42.12 PM.png"The Colors of the Revolution" via Khaled Galal

Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.44.38 PM.png"Painting the Egyptian Flag" via Khaled Galal


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.14.57 PM.png"Boys with Egyptian flags painted on their foreheads by youth volunteers at art wall on Mohamed Mahmoud Street" via nebedaay

Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.36.21 PM.pngvia Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.15.16 PM.png"As seen from a ninth-floor apartment, Tahrir Square filled up considerably after nightfill the night after Mubarak resigned" via nebedaay

Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.22.34 PM.png"Tahrir Square full of celebrating Egyptians one night after Mubarak resigned" via nebedaay


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.32.28 PM.png"Egyptian Protesters Cleaning the Streets after Mubarak's fall" via Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.25.32 PM.png"Kasr El Nil Bridge full of celebrating Egyptians on the night Mubarak resigned" via nebedaay


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.27.38 PM.png"Mosque next to Tahrir Square on the night of Mubarak's resignation" via nebedaay


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.35.26 PM.pngvia Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.37.42 PM.png"A protester stepping on Mubarak's name" via Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.39.02 PM.pngvia Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.49.52 PM.png"Protesters run from tear gas in Cairo" via PicHunting


Screen shot 2012-01-25 at 12.40.09 PM.pngvia Mohamed Abdel Samad/Getty Images


St. Etienne Is Back and Still Fabulous: Take a Listen!

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7524590e.jpgI'm not really a "music person,"  I'm a fashion boy. Still, everybody needs a soundtrack for his or life life and British dance-pop vets St. Etienne has always been in heavy rotation on mine. That's why I was tickled pink to hear today they'll be releasing their first record in seven years. "Tonight," the first single, is classic St. Etienne with lead singer/fashion goddess Sarah Cracknell cooing plaintively about clothes and love, making it seem so cool to be blasé and fabulous. It makes me feel like I'm back in the early '90s, skinny and fabulous! Take a listen below.



Via Pitchfork

Mr. Mickey Talks Serious Men's Eyewear With Deja Vu Refinery's Jason Pollak

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I first came across Jason Pollak the founder of Deja Vu Refinery, a custom eyewear company, where I meet most of the interesting people I come across these days: Twitter. He acts like quite the smart ass as @dejavurefinery, but makes such gorgeous eyewear that I decided to get to know him a little better via email. Below are the results.

Why the name Deja Vu Refinery?
"Deja Vu" means that you've seen it before. A "refinery" is a place that refines things. So the name was perfect for a vintage reproduction atelier.

You live in Asheville --  does it complicate things not being in a fashion capital?
Yes it's really a hardship. The stress of being the only cool person in an entire city really takes its toll on a man. The crosses I bear in the name of low-overhead -- people just don't know.

How did you get into the eyewear business?
I was tired of being forced to buy ugly glasses. I waited -- for a long, long, long time --  but nobody was doing anything properly. It was all cheap and unflattering. Eyewear right now, and for the last bunch of years, is very unsightly indeed. Comical really, but in a surreal and not-funny way. But still a little funny. Like white plastic frames for example: WTF? Funny, but still not-funny. Have you seen Justin Bieber wear that Bar Mitzvah Clown Matte Black frame that is bigger than his head....with this pouty-tough gaze/glaze in his eyes? Funny, yet ... not. Eyewear sellers and buyers are more lost than they have ever been. We're taking it back to sophistication, luxury and manliness. Join us, it gets you laid a lot easier my way.

What is your most popular style?
DEBONAIR is offered in 31 choices of custom colored frames and lenses, or offered prescription lens-ready too; all designed exclusively for and by us. I would say the most popular colors right now are a tie between the two on the punky end of our "Preppy to Punky" color spectrum of looks. Those two are "Tosh" and "River," which are an antifreeze-green frame and cobalt-blue frame respectively. 
 
Where can people buy your glasses?
The finest mens shops around the globe or online at DEJAVUREFINERY.COM

Lady Gaga's Parents' Restaurant + a Wet Hot American Summer Reunion = Eight Items or Less

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1. Ahhh! Wet Hot American Summer reunited at San Francisco Sketchfest and performed the 2001 cult comedy classic as a radio play. [Buzzfeed, GIF via Davidwain.com ]

2. Lady Gaga's mom and dad are opening a restaurant in New York City on February 1st called Joanne (70 W. 68th Street). [NYT]

3. Five reasons you should reconsider Lana Del Rey via Free Williamsburg. Meanwhile, Stereogum, who has pretty much remained neutral on LDR-gate thus far, has an early review of Born to Die, out Tuesday: "Born To Die is bad. It's really bad. It's bad in ways that "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" and even "Born To Die" in no way predicted.

4. Justin Timberlake -- singer, actor and part-time creative director of Callaway Golf -- is helping the golfing company attract younger players. He told the Wall Street Journal that a new marketing campaign could give the sport "a nice injection of kickassery." Sure thing, JT. [WSJ]

5. Visionaire made the biggest magazine in the world and now has the smallest book in the world. It will be displayed from today until February 8th at the magazine's world headquarters at 11 Mercer Street in NYC. 

6. Daniel Radcliffe is set to play Allen Ginsberg in a new film called Kill Your Darlings. It is not a re-make of the 2006 Swedish film with the same title. This one's about three young poets -- Ginsberg, Kerouac and Burroughs -- in Greenwich Village who get in trouble for failing to report the 1944 murder of David Kammerer by Lucien Carr. Elizabeth Olsen also stars. [GossipCop]

7. Take a tour of the crazy sewers beneath Bushwick with Steve Duncan and Papermag pals MyBlockNyc [via Gothamist.]

8. Watch the Glee teaser for the January 31 "Michael Jackson" episode.

Visionaire's Got the Smallest Book in the World

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After publishing the world's largest magazine, New York publisher Visionaire is heading in the opposite direction. Now they've got their hands on the world's smallest book, Chekhov's Chameleon, and it'll be on display in their headquarters at 11 Mercer Street here in New York City until February 8th. Here's a tiny photo of it compared to the size of a dime:

mbook.jpgThe teeny-tiny book is only .9 X .9 millimeters, but still has 30 pages and three color illustrations and is on loan from Mark Palkovic from the Miniature Book Society. Compare that to their recent Lady Gaga "Larger Than Life"  issue than measured 57.48 X 79 inches.  No need to bring your own microscope, they've got one you can borrow.

Here's the trailer for their "Larger Than Life" issue:

That Song! On That Commercial! Colbie Caillat's Ubiquitous "Brighter Than The Sun"

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If, like us, the other night you were watching TV, and saw the Pantene Nature Fusion commercial starring Eva Mendez immediately followed by an ad for Big Miracle, the whale movie with Drew Barrymore and Johnny Krasinski (that looks surprisingly good) and noticed that the same insanely catchy and uplifting song played throughout, and then realized that that same song was featured on commercials this past summer for The Help... well it's Cobie Caillat's "Brighter Than the Sun," who looks like a cross between a young Tatum O'Neal, Maria Sharapova and Jennifer Aniston, and has sold millions and millions of albums. The song very much makes us want to laugh and exercise in a field of sunflowers. We embarrassingly didn't really know who she was, so quickly watched the official music video for "Brighter Than The Sun." Here it is above. There is something so late-'90s, Sixpence None The Richer/Jennifer Paige/early Joss Stone about the whole thing.

Honey Badger's "Randall" Captured In the Wilds of L.A.

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Leave it to a TMZ camera crew to uncover the as-of-now unseen "Randall," narrator of the viral video sensation "The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger." Though he appears to to be wearing a disguise of ladies sunglasses and, possibly a wig (sorry if it's not a wig, Randall!), that's definitely the nastyass voice of the narrator, stupid! As we mentioned in our Honey Badger news roundup last week, the real Randall is likely actor/comedian Christopher Gordon, but Randall/possibly Gordon is apparently still going to lengths to keep his identity a mystery. Give it up, Randall! With a Honey Badger TV show in the works as well as a new book and iPhone games, it's time to embrace the spotlight. Honey Badger definitely would. He don't care.

Stunning Pieces from the Paris Spring Couture Shows

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It's almost our favorite time of the year!  With New York Fashion Week soon  approaching, we're gearing up and keeping up with the looks from this year's Paris Spring Couture shows. From floral headpieces at Alexis Mabille and Giambattista Valli to over-the-top voluminousness at Dior and Elie Saab, once again, the heavyweights did not disappoint.  Click through for looks from these designers as well as Armani Prive, Chanel, Givenchy and Versace.

All images via Style.com


Michael McCarty to Frank Bruni: "Go F*ck Yourself, Buddy."

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Michael McCarty 1.jpgMichael McCarty, the man behind the power lunch spot Michael's, recently launched a new Korean-influenced bar bites menu and seasonal cocktail list that's drawing younger media types to the bar after work. His 27-year-old executive chef, Kyung Up Lim, has developed delicious snacks like spicy beef tacos, fried oysters and Korean-style, fried chicken drummettes to go along with Michael Flannery's creative, seasonal cocktails. McCarty took some time out to talk after a hectic Wednesday lunch, the day when bold-face names often converge.
 
I'm assuming it's younger kids gathering at the bar, not regulars like Barbara Walters.
No, you won't find Barbara Walters hanging off a bar stool, but a lot of our regulars are stopping off before they head downtown for dinner.
 
Who was in for lunch today?
It was insane. We had 190 people. Michael Douglas with Ari Emanuel, Gayle King, Star Jones, James Toback, Joanna Coles, Cindy Lieve.
 
How does Michael Douglas look?
He looks great, really healthy.
 
You always Tweet who's there right?
I've been so busy today I haven't had a chance to tweet yet. Nobody comes to Michael's to hide. If I don't mention somebody having been here they're insulted. I get a call.
 
Is it a more relaxed dress code at the bar?
We've always had a no-dress code. When the dot-com industry took off we definitely noticed it was a tie-less group. There are so many levels of casual chic, there aren't any rules anymore.
 
A lot of great chefs have gotten their start with you, especially at your restaurant in Santa Monica -- Jonathan Waxman, Nancy Silverton, Sally Clarke. Where did you find Kyung Up?
He was the sous chef. Three years ago our executive chef left to open his own restaurant and Kyung was on the line. I sat down with a lot of different people and had them cook for me. I told Kyung, 'Do me a twelve-course menu that comes from your heart, what's true to you. Don't try to please me.' He hit it.
 
Has he changed your famous Cobb salad?
No. We're clearly not a Korean restaurant. We're all about ingredients and taking influences from different countries and cultures.
 
You were friends with Julia Child. What do you remember about her?
She was just wonderful. We met in 1972 when I was studying at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. When I moved back to the States and opened Michael's in Santa Monica in 1979, Julia walked in the first week. We had a blast together and cooked together all over the place. When she retired to a nursing home, or assisted living place, in Santa Barbara, we'd go there and cook.
 
Julia was still cooking in a nursing home?
Well, she was eating more than cooking. She still loved her wine. She had bad knees and had surgery for it and the people working at the facility would tell us, 'Mrs. Child is not allowed to have any wine. It makes her fall asleep in physical therapy.' But we'd still pour her a glass or two.
 
Since so many media people come to your restaurant, you've been on the front lines when magazines close, when there are massive lay-offs. You must have seen dark days.
The first part of 2009 I watched the media business being scared shitless by the digital world. Now they full embrace it. It reminded me of Hollywood a decade or two ago, but if you get fired from a studio job you walk away with a $500 million production deal or you're the head of another studio in ten minutes. We've been open for 33 years in L.A. and 23 years in New York so we've seen a lot.
 
I have to ask you about the devastating review Frank Bruni gave Michael's in 2008.
That was a completely ridiculous review, the dumbest thing I ever read. There might have been a few clunkers on the menu, but it was an insult to my restaurant, to my chef, to my industry. He was mad because he got sat in what he thought was Siberia. Go fuck yourself, buddy.
 
Did you find out who your real friends were?
People who eat in our restaurant know it and love it. That review didn't make a dent in our business.
 
Michael's
24 W. 55th St.
(212) 767-0555
michaelsnewyork.com

Tie Us Up with Benjo's

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benjoslaces.jpgWhen I can't pony up the moolah for more Margiela, I make a style statement with small, but bold touches, like my shoelaces. So thank the fashion gods that I discovered Ben Herts, a.k.a. the "colored lace guy" and the man behind Benjo's, which makes shoelaces in yummy jelly bean colors. My lace-up Thom Browne oxfords now pop with hot pink and my suede Coach bucks scream their way into a room with bright orange laces. Hertz, who works in the "conservative industry" of real estate development in Minneapolis, came up with the idea for Benjo's while on vacation in Rome. His shoelace snapped so he picked up a pair of red, waxed cotton laces and everywhere he went people kept asking where he got his shoes. "When it came time to replace the pair, I found it impossible to find red anywhere," he explains. "So I found someone to make them and Benjo's was born." The line which is sold in over 50 stores worldwide and online, now includes over 15 colors with names (and stories, which are all on the Benjo's website) like "Cousin Traci," "Monster's Spit" and Hertz's first and favorite the Roman red lace "Rosso Scuderia." "Our laces are positioned as a luxury product," he says, adding "but at $6 retail and still very accessible." Needless to say, I have all 15 colors.

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