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They ought to be showing this film in the public schools-

found via Neatorama

Bummed out about your bum seats to Greek Theatre and Gibson Amphithre shows? Our friends at fanscape have let us in on a little secret (OK, maybe it's more of a "marking strategy" than a secret, but still...)

The Greek Theatre and Gibson Amphitheatre are preparing to launch the 2008 season of their unparalleled concert series -- Premiere Marquee Club (PMC). The list to the right gives you a sampling of the world-class artists that performed at these two award-winning venues during the 2007 season. You can be assured that the 2008 season show line-up will be equally as stellar, and you can have guaranteed access to every one.

To become a PMC member, just purchase 3 or more shows from the season launch. There is no membership fee, no "mark up", no forced combination of shows you must purchase...just choose 3 from the season announcement and you will have guaranteed access to seats for every show* coming to both venues all year long.

The Advocate celebrated 40 years with an splashy cover and a much splashier party last night at Republic.

Ann Cooper, Kimberly Pierce, T Cooper, and Felicia Limas posed for the camera.

Perez Hilton might think about dyeing the chin rug to match the drapes.

We looked around for Rex Lee, but no luck. And conspicuous by her absence was Margaret Cho--is she no longer gay-friendly?

Arts editor Corey Scholibo was easy to spot in an easily-spotted white suit. God we miss disco. Ashley Jones didn't get our reference.

Jane Lynch told us about her VH1 pilot, her dogs, and her new film with Eric McCormick.

Greg Hernandez chatted with Marcellos Reynolds about evil Dick winning Big Brother. Or maybe an evil dick? Not sure.

Writer Deborah Behrens discussed the changes at Whole Life Times and we agreed that Abigail Lewis is sorely missed.

Katherine Heigl, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, editor Anne Stockwell and TR Knight were all suitable festive. Knight was like Prom King all night.

And TMZ got suckered by a Lance Ito lookalike.

(Photos from JPI Studios and Wireimage. Thanks!)

Slate V, the video branch of the online mag, threw a party at the cavernous Avalon last night, complete with open bar, roving waiters, and a big buffet. Infiniti provided the decoration, in the form of a car. No raffle, and the back seat wasn't big enough for any Tommy Lee action.

Editor Jacob Weisberg looked a little too comfortable with that mic.

Virginia Postrel's back in town, working on a new book, with her tall, dark, and handsome UCLA professorial husband, Steve Postrel.

People were talking about Iraq, the heat, why no one is watching the debates, the heat.


Mickey Kaus, temporarily blonde-less, Allen Mayer (dreamy, etc.), Slate EP Bill Smee, were all holding court in various power centers.

Investigative types asked us what rewards we'd reaped from the mediabistro.com sale. Perplexed as to how to respond, we looked for Dear Prudence.

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Modernica, the furniture company of hipsters all over, threw a not-all-that exclusive preview party at 2121 Lofts.

Besides a couple of hundred design freaks, we spotted Andrew Breitbart, who's everywhere, all the time, and with him, Jeff Ressner, erstwhile Time Inc. writer.

Frank Novak, the man behind Modernica, recently closed his NYC store, to concentrate more on the wholesale business. FBLA hopes he's going to make more movies.

We didn't buy anything, although a daybed from the estate of Paul Williams (the architect, not the songwriter) tempted us greatly. We're saving up for the LA Modern auction.

Effen vodka was on offer and you know, black cherry vanilla does taste just like cough syrup.

Pulitzer Prize winner Natalie Angier signed copies of her latest book, The Canon, last night at the Frank Pictures Gallery at Bergamot Station. Earlier in the day, she'd done radio interviews with Patt Morrison and Margaret Wertheim, which aired on the same day in a triumph of central planning. She and Morrison had bonded over science writing.

Her tv producer brother Joe, and some of his cohorts, like KCET's Bret Marcus and Jacqueline Kain, and Isaac Mizrahi (not the Target one) were smoozing away. Kain's excited about the Wired Science series and website.

The Gallery was showing TwinArt, amazing large-format Polaroid photographs by Ellen and Lynda Kahn, who are also win Emmys for their title and graphics work. They were dressed twin-ishly, but not in a creepy way. Their video work was pretty cool, too.

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In light of Defamer's going where not even the U.S. Army will venture, we would like to take this moment to remind you that here at FBLA we aren't even a little bi-curious as to who you're lovin' when you're not readin' the 'Bowl. We accept you for who you are, and if your mother and I ever seem less than proud of you, know that it has nothing to do with your sexual orientation at all.

The LA Press Club and PR Newswire are hosting a panel discussion about celebrity journalism Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (drinking begins at 6:30 p.m.) at The Steve Allen Theater.

Panelists include LA Criminal defense attorney Blair Berk; Paparazzo Giles Harrison, of London Entertainment/Splash News; Rob Nelson, of KABC-AM790 and E! Entertainment THS Investigates, and the NYT's Allison Hope Weiner.

The got themselves a moderator from the BBC -- David Willis -- so you know they're legit.

Among the topics to be discussed:

What is News? What is Entertainment? Is there still a line? Does it even matter anymore? Can taking a picture be dangerous? Are celebrities asking for it or are they victims of media mayhem run amok? And who is getting rich and who is just getting mad!

LA Press Club members can mull these questions for free. Everyone else has to fork up 10 bucks.

RSVP: rsvp@lapressclub.org

Never let it be said that FBLA is a party pooper. First, we cheered for ABC's John Stossel at the LA Press Club's cocktail reception poolside at Blue Velvet. Usual gang was in attendence--Matt Welch (LAT), Mickey Kaus (Slate), Jill Stewart (LA Weekly), Amy Alkon, Luke Ford, Ed Rampell (Hustler), and Stossel signed his new book, Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity.

Then, we dashed to The Stoli Hotel, which of course, isn't a hotel, but rather an "entertainment space", if seeing Paris Hilton, Bai Ling, James Blunt and Debbie Matenopolous is your idea of entertainment. We asked Debbie who'd she like to see replace Rosie, and boy! did she ignore that question. We have a way with semi-celebrities.

Somehow, FBLA had gotten this space confused with the Ice Hotel, and we were expecting to see things frozen and blue. We asked some vodka rep whatever happened to the pepper-flavored Stoli, but she had no idea. Andy Dick and a miniature date strolled by, but we didn't ask them. Robin Antin posed with Paris Hilton, as well with those who would be Dolls. Paris won the pose. One of the Dolls-to-be told us she worked hard, but played hard too. At least we know she's not scripted.

Bai Ling appeared fully dressed, to the dismay of the Fuggers, no doubt. Baron Clement von Franckenstein confided that he's a wee bit tired of explaining the family name, but he's a good sport.

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Fair-haired wonderboy, Dana Vachon, met a few dozen of his admirers last night at Bar Marmont in honor of his novel, Mergers & Acquisitions. David Kuhn, that powerful gay man, and Anonymous Content were the hosts.

We were thrilled to see Mickey Kaus, who introduced us to Michael Lerner and told a funny story about being on Red Eye. Lerner's busy with the new national tour of Camelot.

But before we could make intelligent conversation, Thairin Smothers and James St. James mobbed us, eyes all aglow. St. James has a book coming out in May--a sort of "For a Very Young Drag Queen" thing. We can't wait.

And then we met the most amusing person--one half of mystery novelist P.J. Tracy. Traci has one of those faces that looks pretty and mischievous at the same time, and we could have talked to her all night. She got us to Dana.

He told us about meeting Gore Vidal--the high point of his life, thus far. We asked if Gore made a pass, but it was so noisy, everyone pretended not to hear. We had better luck by dropping the gossipy nugget of Vidal's voice-over work for Sony on the DVD of Gattaca.

Vachon's going to China to meet some young guy who's buying up something or other, and then back to work on book deux. This one is set in Scarsdale/Westchester and explores a different set of themes. Swear to god, he said that, and he's sincere. He's the new Michael Lewis!

Then, Jennifer Ramos of Vroman's appeared, and we clued Dana in on the preppiness of Pasadena. All agreed that Jonathan Adler's hairy white ankles weren't remotely top drawer.

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