HOWARD STERN RIPS INTO SIRIUS XM RADIO

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Howard Stern

STERN STERN -- Howard Stern kicked off his show last Wednesday by ripping into Sirius XM's senior staff for their One Night At Studio 54 blast last week. “I can't imagine a bigger waste of time … I think a certain gentleman around here wanted to have his own bar mitzvah and got the company to throw it for him. And, of course, I get resentful because it's my money they use. Me, they can't pay. They should ask me about everything around here since they're doing it on my dime.” The certain gentleman Stern is referring to may or may not be Sirius XM's tanned-God Mel Karmazin. The two, who used to be best pals, are now embroiled in an all out legal war. Stern claims that he's owed more than $75 million in unpaid stock bonuses for subscribers he's brought in to the sat-caster since joining the company in 2006. In spite of Stern's widely publicized riff with the company, the King of All Media says both he and his wife Beth Ostrosky Stern were repeatedly asked to attend the event. From inside sources, we knew Stern wouldn't show; and, he joins a great, long list of people not even invited, nor asked to attend: Calvin Klein; Sandy Gallin; Diane Von Furstenburg; Vince Aletti; Bobby Shaw; David Salidor; Glenn Friscia; Shep Pettibone; Debbie Caponetta; Jacob Getz; and, David Geffen. Let's face it: Sirius XM's guests for the event really consisted of advertisers and would-be advertisers. Truth be told, in the several recaps of the event I read, I didn't even see Jellybean Benitez's name mentioned ... and, he's really the biggest fish there. I wish all the luck in the world to the company's Scott Greenstein … but, I hope he's got another play in mind come January. The other day brings news that former-54 owner Ian Schrager (who did attend the event briefly) is finally ready to do his own book on the fabled club. The hotelier, who ran the club with his late-partner Steve Rubell from 1977-1991, has largely stayed silent on the notorious celeb-hangout. Now's he set to pen two books to "set the record straight." Schrager said "I'm doing a coffee table book of never before seen photograph and a biography which will have the real story of what happened at Studio 54. Of course there will be stories about famous people, but I won't be giving away any secrets about my friends." He said he was still looking for a co-author and publisher, adding, A lot of people have tried to take credit for what happened at 54. I've been quiet for a long time, but now's the time to do the real story." Wonder if Roy Cohn will be included in either book? Two thoughts: Hasn't photographer-Patrick McMullan pretty much covered the photo angle on 54? I believe he's released two books already ... and, I wonder if Sirius XM is funding the Schrager project? Seems to me that the books should have been timed to go with the launch of the station ... as, it may well be gone by the time of the eventual release. But, maybe that's what Ian really wanted in the first place ... no competition!


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Danielle Dease And John Wynne

A TREAT FROM DEASE --- 14-singing sensation Danielle Dease -out with her EP Secret Admirer- just shot a video of her entire show this past weekend in Rockhill, South Carolina, with her new band. The video was directed by George Cochran and they shot it at Northwestern High School - Dani's school. She'll be in the NY- area before the end of the year and we will have a full report on her.

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Brian Williams

BRIAN'S ROCK CENTER --- When I first heard of this forthcoming show, at first I didn't know whether it'd be a legit-news show or a comedy; as Brian Williams has shown something of a flair for comedy with his inspired bits of comic-gold on NBC's own 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live. When I heard news-stalwarts Ted Koppel, Harry Smith and Kate Snow, would be joining the show, I knew it'd be news-oriented. Williams does have a signature style, more inline with Tom Brokaw than anyone else, but we also love Smith and Koppel. Funnily enough, Smith was always underused at CBS; Koppel shined at ABC … and, now they're all together at NBC. Should be a terrific show! Debuts Monday, October 31 at 10PM EST.


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Leonardo DiCaprio

J EDGAR -- When I first heard that Leonardo DiCaprio had signed on to essay J. Edgar Hoover in a forthcoming movie to be directed by Clint Eastwood, called J Edgar … all the elements sounded terrific. DiCaprio, like him or not, is one terrific actor. Sure the worldwide success of Titanic has somewhat eclipsed everything else he's done, but, he's probably one of the finest young actors out there right now. I am happy to report that after seeing several trailers, which opens November 9, it looks just sensational. We'll be seeing it next week and have a full review then; but a few thoughts: Jeffrey Donovan from TV's Burn Notice as Robert Kennedy, Jr. looks … and, sounds terrific. Donovan’s a pretty good actor and he was in Eastwood's own Changeling in 2008; Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts look stellar too. With a script from Dustin Lance Black, who wrote Milk, the movie has a vibe to it that could be huge. I'm also curious to see how they handle his clandestine-relationship with Clyde Tolson, who had been involved with Hoover since the '40s. Can't wait!



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Dayme



SCOTT & TODD'S 20th --- WPLJ's Scott Shannon with on-air partner with Todd Pettengill celebrate two decades of work together tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. Performing will be Duran Duran and Neon Trees. Regular readers will know we have nothing but the utmost admiration for Shannon; having been in the radio game for years and staying on top. We'll have a full report soon … as we expect to see most of the 'PLJ staff there, including on air personalities Race Taylor, Blake Hayes, Christine Richie, Joey Kramer , Monkey Boy, Tony Mascaro, Tony Carafelli and Theresa Angela. Dayme -who is mixing her first album- will be there with manager David Salidor.


Photos By: RD/Dziekan/Leon/Kirkland/Retna