Turn On:
It's all election coverage, all the time on Tuesday night, with the networks starting reporting the returns at 7 p.m. EST. And then you'll want to liven things up with some "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"'s live election special "Election Night 2004: Prelude to a Recount," (10 p.m. EST, Comedy Central).
Morning Briefing:
Wolfe in hawk's clothing: How does Tom Wolfe explain his recent remark that "I have sympathy with what George Bush is trying to do, although obviously the excursion [into Iraq] is not going well"? He kinda blames Tina Brown. "Here is an example of the situation in America: Tina Brown wrote in her column that she was at a dinner where a group of media heavyweights were discussing, during dessert, what they could do to stop Bush. Then a waiter announces that he is from the suburbs, and will vote for Bush. And ... Tina's reaction is: 'How can we persuade these people not to vote for Bush?' I draw the opposite lesson: that Tina and her circle in the media do not have a clue about the rest of the United States. You are considered twisted and retarded if you support Bush in this election. I have never come across a candidate who is so reviled. Reagan was sniggered at, but this is personal, real hatred. Indeed, I was at a similar dinner, listening to the same conversation, and said: 'If all else fails, you can vote for Bush.' People looked at me as if I had just said: 'Oh, I forgot to tell you, I am a child molester.' I would vote for Bush if for no other reason than to be at the airport waving off all the people who say they are going to London if he wins again. Someone has got to stay behind." (The Guardian)
Moore's last licks: Michael Moore has posted on his Web site last-minute messages to "Decent Conservatives and Recovering Republicans," to his "Friends on the Left," and Nader voters, non-swing-state voters, non-voters, first-time voters and African-American voters. He's also addressed a few words to George W. Bush and John Kerry. To Bush he says, "I know its gotta be rough for you right now. Hey, weve all been there. 'Youre fired' are two horrible words when put together in that order." And Moore tells Kerry, "Thank you. And dont worry -- none of us are going away after you are inaugurated. Well be there to hold your hand and keep you honest. Dont let us down. Were betting you wont. So is the rest of the world." (MichaelMoore.com)
Now that the pepper spray has cleared ... You may have thought things couldn't get any more noxious between R.Kelly and Jay-Z, but, alas, they have. R.Kelly has not only slapped his former touring companion with a $75 million lawsuit, accusing him of kicking him off the tour for no good reason -- he's also accused him of sabotage, jealousy and deliberately bad lighting. According to Kelly's suit, Jay-Z ruined Kelly's performance by casting him in unflattering light that made him look blah onstage while Jay-Z was lighted with "brightness and energy." It also alleges that Jay-Z acted with "spite and jealousy toward R. Kelly's superior audience draw" and that he purposely wanted the relationship to sour on the tour for a reason that has something -- though it's not entirely clear what -- to do with the rapper's "Fade to Black" documentary. Jay-Z, for his part, says that Kelly's onstage declaration that there were guns in the audience was "the equivalent of screaming 'fire' in a crowded theater" and says he was "unable to continue with someone whose actions could potentially create a dangerous situation." (N.Y. Daily News)
Et tu, Eminem? Was Eminem lip-synching a la Ashlee Simpson during his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" last weekend? (At one point his voice could be heard while the mic was nowhere near his mouth.) Well, yes and no. His rep insists that Eminem was "rapping live" but admits that he was using a "backing track of his own vocals," explaining, "It's hip hop. Artists sample their own voices all time." (Rush and Molloy)
Also: Mel Gibson is reportedly in talks to adapt Howard Fast's "My Glorious Brothers," about the Maccabee rebellion, for the screen, alarming Fast's widow and several prominent members of the Jewish community (Lloyd Grove's Lowdown) ... Fat actress? Try freaky actress: Kirstie Alley once made her publicist wet-nurse her pet baby possum (Vanity Fair via Page Six) ... The producers of "Jack & Bobby" have filmed three different endings to tomorrow night's show, which takes place on election night 2004, and will air the one that best reflects the outcome of the real-life presidential election (N.Y. Post) ... Pierce Brosnan has endorsed Colin Farrell to replace him as James Bond (Associated Press) ... And Triumph the Insult Comic Dog mixed it up with Tucker Carlson on "Crossfire" Monday. Carlson called the puppet pooch "pompous," eliciting the following response from Triumph, "Get over it! Jon Stewart made you his bitch!" (Washington Post)
-- Amy Reiter
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