Rick Astley Is Somehow Relevant AgainThe Times gets “rickrolled,” the NYPD searches cavities, and John McCain creakingly weighs in on the actions the Federal Reserve Bank took on behalf of Bear Stearns in our daily roundup of Media, Law and Finance news.
real estate porn
Hedge-Funder and Newsbabe Buy City’s Most Expensive Co-opFinancial crisis? What financial crisis? The moment Scott Bommer, CEO of SAB Capital and his wife, Donya, laid eyes on 1060 Fifth Avenue, they knew it had to be the one! Or, rather, the two! Today’s Observer tells us that the couple recently purchased two units in the J. E. R. Carpenter–designed building for $48 million, topping the record for the most money ever paid for a New York City co-op. And, they still have to construct a staircase connecting the two places. But who cares! They’re worth it! And so, says Georgia Shreve, the New Yorker contributor and seller, is the apartment. “It is a beautiful apartment,” she told the paper (Georgia is married to a banker, too, duh!). “Putting in a staircase is no big deal.” Once the staircase is completed, the Bonners will have a sprawling, seventeen-room, seven-bedroom duplex, one block from the Guggenheim and within spitting distance of Central Park. But why go outside when you can simply regard it from your fabulous digs? This place has outdoor space on all four sides of it, including a greenhouse and a south-facing, 114.5-foot-long terrace overlooking the Central Park reservoir. The views notwithstanding, 1060 is a little more modest than some of the other luxury homes on the market — for instance, there’s no gym, room service, or in-house catering by Daniel Boulud — but the building does have a doorman and a concierge, and naturally Scott and Donya will be bringing in their own help. Floor plans for their renovation include a servant’s room, a “formal bar” that the Observer tells us is bigger than their servant’s room — what would they need all that space for, anyway? Brooms? — plus two libraries, two kitchens, and four wood-burning fireplaces, which will be perfect for staying warm in front of when the recession hits.
City’s Most Expensive Co-op Deal Ever [NYO]
gossipmonger
Bill Clinton Made Rosie O’Donnell CryRosie O’Donnell burst into tears after Bill Clinton called her and apologized for being unfaithful to his wife. The guy who won the marathon said he did so by refraining from sex and eating pasta. Katie Holmes said her marathon run was “hard, but good.” (She also wore a velvet Hermès gown to a Museum of the Moving Image event honoring her husband.) Damien Hirst installed a bunch of dead sheep carcasses in formaldehyde tanks at Lever House. Ousted Citigroup chief Chuck Prince didn’t say hi to Sandy Weill at the Four Seasons. Annie Lennox gave a bunch of fans the finger. Governor Spitzer, Governor Corzine, and Nora Ephron went on a triple date to Cafe Boulud.
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Mark Foley on Screen; Brad Pitt in His BoxersBefore Mark Foley discovered IM, he discovered acting. (Straight to DVD, natch.) Brad Pitt is pissed he’s on the cover of Vanity Fair in rain-soaked skivvies. Angry Tiki Barber is retiring at the top of his game? Blame his wife! Lydia Hearst was denied entry to Scores, partied elsewhere. Sharon Stone backed out of a Children Affected by AIDS Foundation benefit over an ill-designed Barbie doll. Weatherman Dave Price might be the next host of The Price is Right. Bill Clinton sang “Happy Birthday” to his assistant. Elle Macpherson bought 200 iPods. Bette Midler threw a Halloween party; guests dressed up. A bunch of Truman Capote memorabilia is up for auction. For the love of God, “Page Six,” we get it: You guys beat the Daily News in circulation. Back to the real gossip, please?