Ted Kennedy may not have been as popular or successful as his big brothers John and Bobby, but he did grow up with them. And that alone is worth a cha-ching book deal.

The Massachusetts Senator received an advance of more than $8 million from Grand Central Publishing to write an autobiography. That’s just behind Tony Blair, who bankrolled $9 million for his memoirs and Bill Clinton, who got $10 million.

But considering the public’s unquenchable interest in Camelot and its general apathy toward the Israel-Palestine conflict, Ted Kennedy got robbed.

Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair has reportedly received something in the neighborhood of a $9 million advance from Random House on his upcoming memoirs.

That astounding figure places the polished Englishman just above former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, who received $8.5 million for his bathtub inspired tome, and just beneath his old friend William Jefferson Clinton, who received $10 million (or, roughly, $1 million for each 100 pages) and will likely help to ease the pain of seeing a long, brilliant legacy irreparably tarnished by an ill-advised alliance with President George W. Bush.

• The down side of appearing on the cover of Men's Vogue? It kinda makes people think you're an effeminate ass.

• Meanwhile, Elizabeth Edwards is not sorry about politely asking Ann Coulter to shut the fuck up.

• The BBC is terribly sorry that it cut away from Tony Blair's final speech as prime minister to show promos for the television show, Rome.

• Will a jury of Conrad Black's peers sentence the press baron to 20 years in prison? And if so, will 108 year old Larry King still have what it takes to grab the post-prison interview exclusive?

• Julia Allison is more than just another pretty face. She's also a mediocre writer and, as it turns out, a thinker!

• The Associated Press claims to have some sort of prudish objection to an amateur video showing strippers "performing lap dances" at a golf course, but we think they're just Bogie Monsters.

• NYDN chieftain Martin Dunn tries, fails to lure ex-newsies back to the paper. Insiders say negotiations faltered due to salary disputes and the Daily News being in "the worst location ever."

• Tony Blair characterizes media as a "feral beast, just tearing people and reputations to bits." Media expected to respond by destroying Blair's reputation out of spite.

• Although the WSJ newsroom will be undergoing major shake-ups later today, the paper is still expected to remain "boring and financey."

• Close friends and media elite gathered yesterday to belatedly mourn David Halberstam.

• Sirius CEO attempts to "woo" FCC with price cuts, and the possibility of more price cuts to come.

After ten years as Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair is reportedly calling it quits, announcing plans to throw in the towel and step down after a new PM is elected in late June.

"I've been prime minister of this country for just over 10 years," said Blair. "I think that's long enough for me, but more especially, for the country."

Though he didn't mention the words "Iraq war" once when announcing his resignation, Blair nevertheless apologized (albeit vaguely) to the British people "for all the times [he's] fallen short," adding "I did what I thought was right. I may have been wrong—that's your call."

And, while Britons are still adjusting to the news of Blair's impending departure, the initial reaction back in America has already been somewhat mixed.

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• Julia Roberts preggers again, already combing baby books for new, pretentious name.

• Lindsay Lohan encouraged to hide alleged drinking, drug problems by running for public office.

• Donald Trump demands a bigger pole; Rosie O'Donnel says she's "not surprised."

• What's Posh Spice's secret to maintaining a rexy frame, weird nips? Why, Japanese food and fruit, of course!

• Billionaire Steve Bing bounces back from humiliation of not banging Pam Anderson by not banging Jennifer Aniston.

• Tony Blair is accused of accepting complimentary $100,000 vacay. Blair defends his decision, insisting they offered "all the good movie channels," and a mini-bar stocked with Cool Ranch Doritos.

• Someone tries to burn down the Gyllenhaal reunion; Jake declares it the "Worst Vacation Ever."

Today's lesson in live mics comes from President Bush who, during a candid mid-meal chat with British PM Tony Blair, expressed his true "shitty" views on the Syria situation.

Bush: You see, the … thing is what they need to do is to get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over.

The full transcript, after the jump.

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