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Movie stars are dead! Long live movies! In 2007 (that would be, um, last year), only four of the 25 top grossing top 25 domestic movies were headed primarily by movie stars. That’s the lowest number in history. And it’s worrisome for up-and-comers like Shia LaBeouf, Seth Rogen, and Katherine Heigl, who are kind of banking on their brand names to turn them into bonafide life-long bankable actors. The Hollywood Reporter is also very worried, which is why it’s devoted thousands of words to the gloom.

Why aren’t audiences interested in heavy hitting stars like De Niro and Pitt and Ms. Julia Roberts? Well they are, to a point: Will Smith can still drive any movie he’s in to an orgy at the box office, and Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne franchise is a Moet-popping undertaking, but they’re among the few.

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May 2, 2008 · Link · Respond

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There’s a lot not to like about Michael Gates Gill, the subject of a Home & Garden profile and author of How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else.

Let’s start with his childhood: The son of New Yorker critic Brendan Gill, Michael Gill blew his $100,000 inheritance on “champagne” in three years.

His personal life also offers a wealth of material: He left his wife and family for his mistress.

And his attitude when someone offered him a job at Starbucks: “Could she see that I was really one of life’s losers? Did I, a former creative director of J. Walter Thompson, want a job at Starbucks?”

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Sep 13, 2007 · Link · 2 Responses

Birthday Card

• Who knew contemplating Tom Hanks‘ hair could be so fun? Anyways, we’re just sick of hearing about his damn movie. [The Jay]

• In case your numbers are dropping (and we’re not talking about cholesterol) here are some words of wisdom from Star EIC Joe Dolce to help you move on by. [NYP]

• Today, Blogebrity learns how to feed itself cheerios and say its first sentence. We bet it was “we got so many links today, yo.” Yes, they are very very bright. [Blogebrity]

• We know it’s like 5 months away, but Conan O’Brien will host the Emmy awards. Which means he’s probably not nominated. [emmys.com]

Charlie Sheen’s publicist is going to commit suicide any day now. [Defamer]

May 19, 2006 · Link · Respond

Kate Moss CK

Jessica Simpson might have to pay yet another group of whining bitches. [TSG]

Leif Garrett gets sentanced to jail, while Kate Moss is still roaming free. [AP]

• Supposedly she’s roaming right back to Calvin Klein. [Socialite’s Life]

Mischa Barton hopes to break her “teen brat” typecast. And acting like a spoiled bitch is supposed to accomplish that. [SBN]

• Now that The Da Vinci Code court case has been decided in Dan Brown’s favor, can we please, please see the movie? [Sky]

• Next week’s issue of New York predicts the most fought over paparazzi photo ever will be the Brangalina baby … but with Katie Holmes‘ alien child scheduled to pop out first, it’s gonna’ be a close call.

Tom Hanks goes to Japan and talks to the Prime Minister. Of all the crucial topics to discuss, they chose hair. [Defamer]

Apr 7, 2006 · Link · Respond

Hilary Duff

• It’s still not clear whether SNL will have her back, so Ashlee Simpson is taking her platinum-selling voice and acid reflux soother to Oprah’s set.

• The reason for Hilary Duff’s horse teeth veneers? Years of chipping her teeth of mics during performances, at least if you believe the “World Entertainment News Network.”

• After a two week search, 16-year-old actress Scout Taylor-Compton has been found .. shacked up at a bloke’s house.

• Even though filming for their The Break Up has wrapped, Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn are still playing the part of romantic partners.

• When not sporting a shaved head, Natalie Portman takes her anger out on a delayed V For Vendetta opening by donning a mohawk.

• The MPAA voted in Tom Hanks as its vice president, clearing the path for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar cleanup.

• After Jennifer Aniston’s hair was all the rage on Friends, at long last Lisa Kudrow’s do is getting its do on The Comeback.

• Surprise! People who read blogs are also more likely to buy your goods.

Aug 26, 2005 · Link · Respond