Let's exploit all things Heath Ledger

Once again, the ever increasing appetite for celebrity worship and gossip has caused horrible table manners. EW.com reports that both "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider" have finally decided not to run obtained footage of Heath Ledger allegedly snorting cocaine at the Chateau Marmont.  (A commenter notes that Ledger is not shown using drugs at all.)

It's not as if the "news" outlets bowed out for moral reasons -- they even teased the segment on the show. Apparently, Ledger's publicist and others pressured ET to "let this grieving family bury their son in private and with dignity." I suspect that a few A-list Aussie stars -- Nicole, Naomi, to name a few -- threatened to boycott the shows if they ran the tasteless footage.

It was ten years ago -- on January 2nd -- that Chris Farley died of a drug overdose and the media frenzy wasn't nearly as rabid. Of course, Farley wasn't an Oscar-nominated movie star, but he had his following. Our society's obsession with famous people is growing faster than the national debt. Civilization could crash, alongside the economy.

I pity whomever sold the videotape to ET for huge bags of cash. Most likely, this person is one of those sycophantic Hollywood hangers-on who attaches himself to a rich celebrity. No doubt, the tape went for six figures. What do you do with blood money like that? Go to Maui for a week? Buy a Bentley?

Photos: Getty Images; ET.com

America's Next Top Abused Assistant

Hey, want to see what it takes to make chic everyday? Tyra Banks is developing a new show for the CW that will determine who's got the goods to be an assistant at a fashion magazine.  Over at Vogue, I hear that Anna Wintour loathes girls with puffy ankles who undervalue the importance of a good blow-out. I have a friend who interviewed with Wintour and later heard that she didn't get hired because her belt was "off."

I can't wait to see the challenges Tyra and co. cook up for these poor plebes. Here's one: Walk seventeen city blocks in these YSL platform pumps -- and bring back a fat-free soy latte that's still piping hot. Move!

Got a great story about being abused as an assistant? Tell us EVERYTHING, doll face!

Photos: "AbFab," BBC; YSL pumps, neimanmarcus.com; girl, ViewImages.com

Feed Me: Style news for Wednesday

So begins a new daily feature in which The Rage reports on style news that's worthy of a quick read. Expect links to tasty news tidbits, a sale item of the day that merits consideration, and a style quote that should be memorized.

Sassybella reports that the ever cuddly Karl Lagerfeld will soon be huggable. Steif (the German toy maker known for its yellow tag) is creating a teddy bear in the likeness of the designer. Read on here.

Pieces from the highly anticipated Halston line--which will debut on Monday at Fashion Week--will be available at net-a-porter.com on Tuesday. This is BIG news in fashion circles because typically, clothes spotted on a runway aren't available for six months. If you would rather read about the Halston deal than buy the goods, check out the story on WWD.

Over at Luxist, it's "rare" day and they're looking at exotic pets, foods, and other ephemera. Here's a rare cat known as an "Ashera" that sells for $20,000.  What do you feed this cat? Caviar and heavy cream?

Sarah Jessica Parker will co-produce a Project Runway-like show in which artists will compete to create, says Variety.  And you thought fashion designers were wacky? Just wait.

Sale pick of the day: This lip palette from Nars includes favorites Dolce Vita (sheer dusty rose), Tobago (taupe-grape with shimmer), and Captiva (sheer currant). Sells for $30 instead of $55 at Sephora.com.

  Jane Birkin once said:
"My mother was right: When you've got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust."

photos: Lagerfeld, WireImage; Ashera, lifestylepets.com; Birkin, The Paris Times.

Teens & Botox: A bad fad

This morn, Reuters reports that a consumer group, Public Citizen, is lobbying U.S. authorities to strengthen the health warning on Botox (made by Allergan) and its kin, Myobloc (Solstice Neurosciences). They would like to see a "black box" warning -- think similar to the warning on cigarettes -- on boxes that contain the substance.

Bad idea. Anyone who has ever gotten Botox knows that all you see is a needle coming at  your forehead. No doctor shows you a "Botox box." Though you do read about safety concerns on a sheet prepared by the doctor before you get your shots.

The group studied 180 reports submitted to the FDA and noted that the botulinum toxin had caused 16 deaths -- four of those fatalities occurred in patients under 18.

What? Who would inject a teen with Botox? Adolescence may be tough, but it can't furrow a damn brow. I can't imagine any Mom allowing her daughter to get Botox injections -- though I do know that Botox is used on kids with cerebral palsy to weaken spastic muscles.

I just called over to Beverly Hills Physicians and was told that "my daughter" would have to be 18 to get any sort of lip filler or Botox treatment. Over at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, they told me that they wouldn't treat anyone under 21. But at Cosmetique Med Spa in Culver City, the doctor got on the line and said that he would see my "17-year-old daughter" who was complaining about lines around her lips. He said it was up to me to consent to her treatment.

I bet that resourceful teens in L.A. could figure out how to get Botox.  My guess is that there are plenty of crazy parents in this town who would allow it for their children too. Plastic surgery among teens, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is on the rise too:
In 1994: 10,000 procedures were performed on adolescents.
In 2006: 244,000 procedures were performed on patients between 13 and 19 years old.

Those stats, like, totally scare me.

Photo images: shuttterstock.com; "Heathers," New World Entertainment

Trend alert: Flowers are the new skulls

Not sure about you, but the whole skull trend always made me retch. It lost its edge early on and nothing depressed me more than seeing middle-aged dads wearing bedazzled skull hoodies.  If you have to advertise that you're a bad ass, you're probably more of a pompous ass.

Anyway, I am thrilled to report that designers have abandoned their faux macabre ways for spring. In other words, a flower hath bloomed out of the empty eye socket of every skull we saw in past seasons. Gaultier (left), Armani, and Christian Dior showed floral concoctions at the recent couture shows in Paris. Prada, Balenciaga and Marni are using flora in various forms.

Burying skulls and unearthing flowers makes me wholly optimistic. Maybe the Democrats will even win this election? Perhaps I will lose a few pounds and be able to wear pants again? Peace in the Middle East? OK, I'll stop.

But seriously, the trend is easy to access. This jersey dress from Tibi (right) at netaporter.com is a veritable garden on your sleeve ($420). The cut is modern and flattering; the color will buoy any spirit.

If you want to ease into the look at a smaller price point and less fanfare, check out this cute purse from J.Crew.com ($58). It has a Marni feel to it with the chunky block print and it reminds me of Bermuda bags that I carried back before I incurred major sun damage.

Finally, this floral silk scarf imported from Japan at UrbanOutfitters.com at $28 makes the perfect blooming accent to jeans and a tee. Contrast the feminine element with a tomboy-ish get-up. Now, use your head and get rid of all those skull-emblazoned bags, shoes and sweaters.

Photo credits: Gaultier, style.com; dog hoodie, fuzzytogs.com

SAG: Red carpet alert

Clearly, actresses miss the red carpet. How else to explain the high-octane glamour seen at last night's SAG Awards? Sequins, chignons, scarlet lips and fishtailed gowns dominated on an afternoon that could only be described as sullen and downcast.

It would seem that only Ellen Page ignored the unspoken edict to pretend that there is no such thing as a WGA strike.  Page -- who lost to Julie Christie (thank God!) -- wore a simple black sheath that highlighted her gamine frame.

My rule for the red carpet? Don't wear an outfit that would allow you to climb a tree or play short stop in a pinch. Page could scale an oak in seconds flat in this dress.

Photo credits: WireImage

Ladies: Get Edith Piaf's sultry look now

In "La Vie en Rose," Oscar-nommed actress Marion Cotillard plays legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf. From her inky ringlets to her crimson smirk and stingy brows, Piaf embodied the look of a sultry, half-starved artist.  She was known as the "little sparrow."

Piaf was born in 1915 in Paris -- but, of course. Her Italian mom sang in local cafes; dad was a street acrobat.  It all sounds like a merry, old time until you hear that they abandoned her. Afterward, she stayed with her grandmother and the local prostitutes often looked after her.  Now that sounds like a sitcom to me. Like "One Day at at Time" set in a Parisian brothel, right?

Back to Piaf. Her style matched her moods: theatrical, glamorous and brooding. She mostly wore black, with lace accents or animal-print cuffs. Think cabaret meets red carpet. She never stepped out into the rue without her signature cherry lips and hair meticulously coiffed. The little sparrow always minded her feathers.

Taking a style cue from Piaf is pretty easy. Her chic look works for anyone and it's romantic in a sexy, self-empowered way.  This is a woman who hung out with Marlene Dietrich, people. I like the bateau neck and lace overlay of this Notte by Marchesa dress ($850) at netaporter.com. The ribbon belt and full skirt make it slightly retro in all the right ways -- not to mention, flattering to any body type. The lace arms will show just the right amount of skin and help create a lean silhouette.

For shoes, I dig these Bruno Frisoni pumps for two reasons: A) They're on sale, dammit and B) they run big, so you can order a half-size smaller than usual. The satin pumps -- trimmed in lace -- are now $310.90, down from $777 on saks.com.  Oh, and Saks is offering free shipping on all orders over $150 -- just put in the code "Valentine" when you purchase.

Finally, you're nothing without red lipstick. I have experimented with many vermilion pouts and I always return to "Coco Red" by Chanel -- $26; Bloomingdales.com. There's something about this blend that makes teeth look whiter -- I think it has a touch of blue -- and its creamy base doesn't dry up. There's nothing worse than those dried flecks of red lipstick that make you look like you bit off the head of a squirrel en route to your date.

Finally, here's an Edith Piaf quote that you should repeat like a mantra: "As far as I'm concerned, love means fighting, big fat lies, and a couple of slaps across the face."

Um, bon.

Photo credits: Cotillard, Picturehouse; netaporter.com; saks.com; bloomingdales.com

HOW TO SAY 'NO' TO NEW FACEBOOK FRIENDS?

Q: I joined Facebook three months ago. I'm an indie film publicist, and it seemed like a good way to network with people in my business. Plus, I figured that I could hook up with some old friends. Wrong. Every day, I get a request from someone who wants to be my friend. So far, I haven't denied anyone, and I am already up to 231 friends. I don't even know some of these people. Is it rude to blow people off? And what about co-workers? Half of my company is on my Facebook page, and it's bad enough having to banter at the water cooler.

Dear L.G.,

In order to empathize over your embarrassment of riches, I joined the 55 million members of Facebook last week. As of today, I have exactly three friends. Clearly, I am in no position to deny anyone -- even a recent ex-con or a contrite sex offender -- as a potential e-pal. A barren Facebook page is a lot like a brand new passport. Both seem to scream, "I haven't left my basement since they invented fat-free Pringles."

People who do share your dilemma, however, have no remorse about rejecting unwanted friends. "Ignoring a request is like not calling someone back," says Shawn Sachs, chief executive of publicity firm Sunshine, Sachs & Associates. "I don't like to do it. But usually, people get the hint." FYI: Sachs, who's well-connected on both coasts, has 542 more friends than I. He can afford to turn amigos away.

Looking for a more humane way to snub a chum?

Rather than just "ignore" the request via Facebook's automated system, you could send a quick personal message that reads: "My psychoanalyst says I can't forge new relationships" or "I'm traveling abroad on business." Of course, the only caveat is that your cyber-stalker could check back and tally your number of contacts to see if you're actually limiting your social circle.

When colleagues come knocking, it's a whole different story. Sachs says that he would never deny someone he has to walk by every day at the office. But Russell Binder, president of Striker Entertainment, thinks colleagues shouldn't be using Facebook to socialize during business hours. "There's got to be a level of professionalism," he says. "As an employer, I feel like if you're not on the phone and making deals, why are you here?"

True. Besides, your CFO needs more beans to count if he's constantly seeking new buddies. Still, it's risky to snub a business colleague in incestuous Hollywood because the friend you turn away today could be your boss tomorrow.

You're better off accepting co-workers and allowing them access to a limited profile. Make that the one that lists basic personal information and doesn't show your friends. Certain agents and producers cruise profiles to poach contacts.

If you do ignore someone and he or she refuses to relent, you can always choose to "block" that person. According to Facebook, that person "will not be able to search for you, see your profile or contact you."

Or you could always send that person my way and I'll have a whopping four friends.

Do you have a social woe or an etiquette issue? Send questions to the Mannerist at monica.corcoran @latimes.com

Photo credits: "Little Darlings," Fox; "Friends," NBC Universal; "Bad News Bears," Paramount

Rambo: Hugs, not thugs

Nice to see that Sly Stallone made some time for the li'l people at the premiere of "Rambo" in Las Vegas last night.  This woman came, saw, and conquered. It doesn't look like Stallone had much choice but to accept the fierce embrace.

As for his look, I would have liked to have seen Rambo in a camo tux -- with some sort of grenade for a bow tie. Maybe a bloodied cummerbund? 

Love this shot of Sly at Spago by Ron Galella in 1983. 

Photo credits: WireImage

Sundance: More DJs than directors

If I had to sum up this year's film festival, I would probably quote DJ Spooky or DJ Whoo Kid or even DJ Vice. Sundance 2008 was more about the guy spinning vinyl at a party or club than any one director.  How else to explain the fact that I counted 12 DJs mentioned in press releases and see 23 pictures of celeb-u-spinner Samantha Ronson posted on WireImage.com? Compare that to 20 shots of Daniel Barnz, director of "Phoebe in Wonderland."

Never mind the fact that no movies--except for the Roman Polanski docu--sold in the first weekend.  (Other films sold later, but it was by no means a spree.) The buyers market may have been icy, but the scene inside Hyde and Marquee and Teddy's was hot. Um, that's DJ Ruckus to the left. He probably flew first class to Park City and got VIP treatment at Sundance. I have heard that a famous DJ can make up to $25,000 working a few nights at Sundance.

Hey, they don't call it "Sunwatch" now, do they?

photo credit: WireImage.