Morning Briefing:
Paris Hilton's eyelid, examined: Page Six may have the answer to that enduring question: What's up with Paris Hilton's eyelid? A source tells the gossip column that Hilton went under the knife in Los Angeles this week to try and lift the droopy lid (famously ridiculed in a Season 8 episode of "South Park"). The tipster says her left lid was originally damaged in a cosmetic lid-lifting operation six years ago, "causing it to droop more than the right." (Page Six, Comedy Central)
ABC rebukes Washington: Stepping in a bit belatedly to deal with the still-simmering debacle between Isaiah Washington and his "Grey's Anatomy" co-workers, ABC issued a public reprimand to Washington for his repeated use of a gay slur. "We are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology," said the network in a statement. "His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed." Just what "addressed" means in this context is unclear, but also on Thursday, Washington issued his own carefully worded apology: "I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show, and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on 'Grey's Anatomy.' I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help." (Associated Press, People)
Oprah tops rich list: Forbes magazine has compiled its first-ever list of the 20 richest women in entertainment. (It excludes those living off royalties or previous big earnings -- like Barbra Streisand or Elizabeth Taylor -- to focus on "today's active megastars.") At the top of the heap -- surprise, surprise -- is Oprah Winfrey, whose personal fortune the mag estimates at $1.5 billion. The others in the top five: J.K. Rowling ($1 billion), Martha Stewart ($638 million), Madonna ($325 million) and Celine Dion ($250 million). See the full list here. (Forbes)
Also:
In case you missed it last night, Video Dog has the highlights from the Bill O'Reilly/Stephen Colbert switcharoo last night -- watch the clips here. (Video Dog) ... Huge layoffs yesterday at Time Inc.: The media company cut nearly 300 jobs, mostly from the magazines People, Time and Sports Illustrated, saying that the company is attempting to refocus its efforts in digital media. (Variety) ... Slate looks into why "Borat" and "United 93" were both able to be nominated for Writers Guild of America screenwriting awards when neither one had a real screenplay: "The production companies say those shows have no writers but the guild counters that those who shape the stories are in fact writers." (Slate) ... Art Buchwald -- the Washington Post humor columnist who died at age 81 of kidney failure on Wednesday -- delivers his own obit, in video format, for the New York Times' "Last Word" series. (New York Times) ... Wow TV has a clip of what it claims is Madonna's first-ever live performance, a video taken back in 1982 in New York of the then unknown singing "Everybody." (Wow TV)
Money Quote:
Alec Baldwin, after telling Glamour magazine he's looking to fall in love again, on joining a dating Web site: "I'm thinking about it. I could post my picture and say, 'People tell me I look like Alec Baldwin.' They'll go, 'Oh, I hate him,' or 'Who the hell is he?' " (Glamour via Page Six)
Turn On:
Friday night is the season premiere of "Monk" (USA, 9 p.m. EST). And on Sunday, Masterpiece Theatre presents "Jane Eyre" (PBS, check local listings), Steve Irwin's final show, "Ocean's Deadliest" (Animal Planet, 8 p.m. EST), airs, and "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci-Fi, 10 p.m. EST) returns from hiatus to a new night.
On the Talk Shows:
Larry King (CNN, 9 p.m. EST): Parents of kidnapped teen Shawn Hornbeck
David Letterman (CBS, 11:30 p.m. EST): Dan Rather, Tricia Helfer, Andy Kindler
Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 p.m. EST): Rocco DeLuca and the Burden
Conan O'Brien (NBC, 12:35 a.m. EST): Liam Neeson, Ali Larter, Brand New
Craig Ferguson (CBS, 12:35 a.m. EST): Fantasia, Tony Gonzalez
Jimmy Kimmel (ABC, 12:05 a.m. EST): Sarah Silverman, Greg Grunberg, Slayer
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