The strangest thing about George Clooney is that everyone loves him until he does his job. Women and men, straights and gays, Democrats and liberals—all of them claim to adore the dark-eyed consummate bachelor. And yet, despite all the accolades, it seems that every time George releases a movie, it tanks. Yes, his films are very often heralded by critics – save for a misstep in 1997's Batman and Robin, his oeuvre is solid as far as the intellectuals are concerned – but the box office tallies never seem to match the critiques. CONTINUED »
Naturally, our first reaction to Christopher Hitchens sort-of nude photo spread in Vanity Fair is sheer disgust, which is almost immediately followed by acute and pronounced nausea. However, we quickly recover well enough to actually read the article (something about Hitch getting an "extreme makeover) which only seems to exacerbate each of our aforementioned symptoms. Fortunately, there's hope! A well-timed article in "Meet The Press" manages to take the words (though, unfortunately, not the almost-vomit) right out of our mouths.
"Screw the Kurds!" writes ETP contributor Katherine Thomson. "Hitchens describing sack-waxing sounds like the stuff on which next year's Ellie win will be founded."
Sadly, however, it turns out we'll actually have to wait for the next issue to hear about Hitchen's award-winning scrotum. Meanwhile, the piece is not without its merits. For example, the picture of a balding, pot-bellied Hitchens smoking in the shower is just about the funniest thing we've seen all week.
And to think this portly adonis once remarked that women had no sense of humor.
If only because Jeff Bridges is playing him. And, apparently, Bridges is a "sex symbol." [P6]
Have you heard the news? Graydon Carter is getting the Hollywood treatment, and the actor slated to portray the Vanity Fair chieftain, Bono-hugging, elitist restaurant opening editor-in-chief is none other than Jeff Bridges.
Vanity Fair editor in chief Graydon Carter's love of Hollywood is about to undergo a new test: Jeff Bridges will play Carter, renamed Clayton Harding, in the film adaptation of onetime Vanity Fair contributor Toby Young's book, "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." The book depicted Young himself as status-obsessed and wildly inept, even as it skewered the New York media and celebrity scenes.
Ah, we can picture it now.
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When we heard that Toby Young's Vanity Fair roman à clef, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was being adapted into a movie, we nearly wet ourselves. It's like a Devil Wears Prada without the chick lit bullshit. Love it, love it, love it. However as you may recall, the studio hadn't quite settled on a actor to play the role of the mighty Graydon Carter. So, we thought to ourselves, our super hip readers might have a few ideas. And you did. And you voted! And the results are in.
We took the above choices, Richard Dreyfuss (the oldie), Jeff Bridges (the smoothie), Steve Carell (the funny), Ray Winston (the random), and Meryl Streep (the chick). And you, the people, have spoken.
Out of 583 votes, 254 of you voted for Jeff Bridges, giving him the win by a 44% landslide. If Jeff falls down dead, though, either Richard Dreyfuss or Meryl Streep could take his place. We can't wait to see who they actually pick! (We're actually clapping as we say this.)
The best part? It gives us hope for a Jann Wenner or Adam Moss so we can play again and again and again!
Earlier: Vote for Toby Young's Graydon Carter
Thanks to all who came out in droves yesterday to vote in our latest poll. One of the more pressing questions facing our society today is surely, "who should play Graydon Carter in the adaption of Toby Young's novel, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People?"
As of now, Jeff Bridges is in the lead, with Meryl Streep and Richard Dreyfuss closing in. Vote now! Hurry! This is extremely important and meaningful stuff! Ok, well at least it's funny. Hopefully.
We'll bring you the final results at the end of the day. (This gives us a reason to live, guys. So please contribute to our pointless existence in whichever way you can.)
When we heard that ex- Vanity Fair writer Toby Young's How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was going to be made into the next "life inside Conde" film, we were overjoyed. And today we find out that Simon Pegg of Shaun of the Dead will play Toby Young's character. But an actor to play "Clayton Harding," (the Graydon Carter based editor in chief of the VF based Sharps) has yet to be found.
Who we thought would be the perfect Graydon Carter? We' finally narrowed it down to the following five options. Richard Dreyfuss (who's balding, but could get some patches of grey pasted to the sides of his head), Jeff Bridges (he has the tanned face and wrinkly smile), Steve Carell (he can play anybody) or the random doppelganger Ray Winstone, (Grayon Carter is a pretty Sexy Beast.) Then there's Meryl Streep — who is such a ballsy actress, she could totz play a dude.
So, you decide. Who would be the best leader of the friendless and alienating publication? Get your votes in! We'll run the results tomorrow, and hopefully the studios will listen to the people.
Hollywood Elsewhere [Jeffrey Wells]
