What does Sen. Trent Lott and Gawker owner Nick Denton have in common? Rentboy Benjamin Nicholas. But don't try and get any party involved to confirm it. [BHNYC]

Friday, the Senate confirmed Republican Robert McDowell to fill an empty seat on the Federal Communication Commission, which will hopefully allow for a break in the deadlocked 2-2 Republican-Democrat split.

Not that we're rejoicing at a Republican majority anywhere, let alone the FCC, but if it will stop people from crying about the liberal media and make some progress on proposals regarding media ownership, then we guess we can deal.

Even before Mr. McDowell was confirmed, the FCC chairman had begun circulating proposals among the other commissioners to reopen two issues: media ownership limits and a requirement that cable operators carry multiple channels from local broadcasters after the transition to digital television instead of just one.

The appointment of McDowell is also expected to have a more immediate impact on Time Warner Inc.'s and Comcast Corp.'s proposed deal to split Adelphia Communications. Of course, nothing will be resolved until 2008 or so, which means we'll get to hear tons more from Trent Lott and probably a little Donald Trump just for good measure.

FCC Is Set to Take Fresh Look At Media Ownership [Amy Schatz, Wall Street Journal]