:: Standing in the checkout line at Ralphs this evening, I spied a special People mag on the newsstand devoted to remembering the 90s. Yup: Grunge, "Tickle-Me Elmo," MC Hammer, "Seinfeld," Monica Lewinsky.
But doesn't it still feel like we just exited the 1990s -- or that, quite honestly, pop culture isn't that different? Yes, there are differences. The 1990s didn't have Paris Hilton or blogs. But think about ten years ago -- in 1996, the 80s seemed ancient. We were mocking skinny ties, synth music and Dr. Ruth at that point. But in 2006, we're still looking back at teasing the 1980s; the 1990s? No nostalgia there. At least, not yet.
How will you remember the 80s?
:: I'm enjoying this epidemic of Hollywood celebs actually telling the truth. Star Jones could have taken part in a choreographed send-off from "The View," in which she pretended that leaving the show was her choice -- but she balked (pissing off, in the process, Barbara Walters, who then copped to taking part in what would have been a ruse).
Meanwhile, rather than pretend that all was fine inside the Spelling compound after papa Aaron's death, daughter Tori called her already-estranged mom on the carpet. Tori wasn't too happy to find out that daddy died after it was too late to see him.
Both cases broke the cardinal sin of Hollywood PR: No one ever gets fired. And everyone gets along just fine.
It's a pretty silly dance. When someone is fired in this town, the industry knows that he/she was fired. Yet, inevitably, the press release comes, and Executive X left to pursue other opportunities. (These days, it's popular to say "other opportunities in the digital field" since it sounds more important.) Come on. No one leaves a job without another one lined up.
And when personalities clash in Hollywood, even the most disgruntled figure still claims that they're best buddies with the other person.
That's why these affairs are so fascinating: Barbara and company allowed the public to glance the true inner workings -- Star wasn't leaving on her own accord, but was pushed. And Tori decided not to bite her tongue and act like everything was OK with mommy,
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