Gossiper Trades Fat for Fortune

Gossip blogger may not look the part, but he's America's 'morals cop'

(NEWSER) - Somehow, Perez Hilton—a flamboyantly gay gossipmonger whose “favorite hobby is drawing dribbles of semen on pictures of celebrities”—has become “our leading morals cop.” He’s quick to deem Miley Cyrus “trampy” and Sienna Miller “slutty,” and this week—after posting a picture of Ke$ha apparently covered in, um, love juice—the high-profile blogger labeled her a “trashy whore.” Yet, writes Mary Elizabeth Williams for Salon , Hilton is actually a “prude” who “out-conservatives the conservatives.” More»

Books, blogs popular in recession

(NEWSER) - What with the recession, worldwide poverty, and impending environmental doom, it’s no wonder that bookshelves and the blogosphere are crammed with tales of voluntary privation and experiments in skimp. Last month there was On a Dollar a Day, about a couple's attempt to live on that amount—in San Diego. Last year, it was No Impact Man, and the web abounds with other examples. “It's like everyone is doing their own version of Lent,” a serial experimenter tells Time . More»

Black Eyed Peas manager writes letter, accepts conditions

(NEWSER) - The Black Eyed Peas manager who slugged Perez Hilton had assault charges dropped in court today after he wrote a (qualified) letter of apology. Juan Molina also agreed to steer clear of Hilton and donate $500 to a women's shelter. He punched Hilton in June after the gossip blogger got into a shouting match with group member Will.i.am. A civil case is pending. More»

Throws whatever ties site had to journalism out window in vendetta vs. ESPN

(NEWSER) - In the shadows of the Steve Phillips controversy is the reaction at Deadspin, where editor AJ Daulerio, having missed out on the scoop, appears to emptied his in-box in airing years’ worth of anonymous tips about ESPN’s seamy side. That, in turn, got its own reaction from the sports blogosphere at large, where common themes ranged from blasting Daulerio for foregoing journalistic ethics entirely to don’t-take-us-down-with-you. A sampling: More»

(NEWSER) - Turns out Perez Hilton didn't just bring down the wrath of Demi Moore when he linked to pics of daughter Tallulah Willis, 15, in skimpy clothes last week: He broke his promise to Tyra Banks, the Daily News reports. On an episode of her talk show that airs today—but was filmed last month—the gossip blogger promised not to bash celebs under 18 for six months. "I feel they should be protected," Banks said. More»