Morning Briefing:
More Lindsay mail: In an effort to polish her increasingly tarnished media image, Lindsay Lohan sent out an e-mail to friends (and her lawyers) outlining a multitiered plan to retaliate against the recent tabloid stories about her. Step 1: Al Gore. "Al Gore will help me," she writes. "He came up to me last night and said he would be very happy to have a conversation with me. If he is willing to help me, let's find out." Step 2: The Clintons. "Hilary [sic] Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Evan Metroplis [sic], and John Daur who works with them would be willing, if we just ask. If we just ASK." Step 3: Be adequite. She wants to "release a politically/morally correct, fully adequite [sic] letter to the press." (Page Six)
Britney backs down: Backing off from her all-Paris, no-underwear stance a bit, Britney Spears tries to justify (and apologize for) her recent high-profile nightlife in a new post on her Web site. "It's been so long since I've been out on the town with friends," she writes. "Every move I make at this point has been magnified more than I expected, and I probably did take my new found freedom a bit too far. Anyway, thank God for Victoria Secrets' new underwear line! I look forward to a new year, new music and a new me." (People, BritneySpears.com)
"Kramer" story dupes news station: WJZ, a CBS affiliate in Baltimore, ran a story on Monday on Michael "Kramer" Richards showing up in blackface to a celebrity roast of Whoopi Goldberg over the weekend. If it sounds far-fetched, it is -- the story, broadcast twice during the afternoon in what the Baltimore Sun calls "breaking-news style," originally came from satirical celeb news site Dateline Hollywood. (Another recent story there: "Britney Spears' Vagina Asks Press for Privacy.") A close reading of the story would have made it pretty clear it was a sendup -- details like Richards pouring Aunt Jemima syrup over Whoopi's head should make even the most credulous reader pause. The station's news director says, "It should not have aired," and a correction was aired during the 11 o'clock news. (Baltimore Sun, Dateline Hollywood)
Also:
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are throwing a cocktail party over the weekend in Los Angeles to again celebrate their wedding. A rep says, "The party is for friends who were not able to attend the wedding in Italy" -- but Oprah hasn't been invited to this one, either. (Monsters and Critics) ... Lance Bass says the breakup rumors about him and his boyfriend, Reichen Lehmkuhl, are premature, writing on his MySpace page, "Reichen and I have gone through a few rough days ... I have no doubt things will work out." (TMZ) ... A recent Kevin Federline sighting: He showed up, posse in tow, at the New York book party for David Matalon and Chris Woolsey's new release, "The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties." (Page Six) ... Will he "make it work"? Heidi Klum and judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors are all locked in for the fourth season of "Project Runway," but Tim Gunn has yet to sign on. (N.Y. Daily News) ... Fans of Ringo Starr have started a petition to get the Fab Four drummer knighted. (Times Online via Pop Candy)
Money Quote:
Cameron Diaz on how to keep your looks as you age: "I guess what it comes down to ultimately is it's how you wear your skin that makes you beautiful. Empower yourself, however that may be. And I do believe in tummy tucks and boob lifts. Just for the record." (From the upcoming issue of Harper's Bazaar)
Kate Winslet, on the same topic: "I don't really go in much for surgery to be honest, certainly it's not something for me. Personally I would like to grow old with my face being able to move." (Daily Mail via Oh No They Didn't)
Turn On:
"My Name Is Earl" (NBC, 8 p.m. EST) has back-to-back new episodes on Thursday night, Danny Bonaduce guest-stars on "CSI" (CBS, 9 p.m. EST), and Summer goes missing from college on "The OC" (Fox, 9 p.m. EST).
On the Talk Shows:
Charlie Rose (PBS, check local listings): James Baker and Lee Hamilton
David Letterman (CBS, 11:30 p.m. EST): Sacha Baron Cohen, Tiki Barber, Beck (repeat)
Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 p.m. EST): Mel Gibson, Bill Dwyer, Ludacris
Conan O'Brien (NBC, 12:35 a.m. EST): Mike Lupica
Craig Ferguson (CBS, 12:35 a.m. EST): Chris Kattan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ciara
Jimmy Kimmel (ABC, 12:05 a.m. EST): Tom Arnold, Jo Frost, Corinne Bailey Rae
Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 11 p.m. EST): Ed Viesturs
Stephen Colbert (Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EST): Dr. Francis S. Collins
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