Gawker: defamer, lebron james

LeBron Who?

STV — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:47:14 EST

· Lionsgate will distribute More Than a Game, the documentary about LeBron James's high-school years that will be cross-promoted by Nike, Coca-Cola, State Farm and other brands in a much-needed boost for the otherwise underexposed NBA superstar. [Variety]
· Fed up with the "barren" film landscape in the US, Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader is taking his career-defining transgressions to the world's one remaining bastion of angst, fear, profanity and sex: Bollywood. [THR]

After the jump: What legendary newslady will spend today in Chicago scarfing up sloppy Obama seconds?

· Barbara Walters will follow 60 Minutes' blockbuster lead for ABC, interviewing Barack and Michelle Obama for a one-hour ABC News special airing Wednesay at 10 p.m. [THR]
· His gawky, browbeaten work here is done: Fox News's resident liberal punching bag Alan Colmes is departing Hannity & Colmes at the end of the year. [Variety]
· Producer-director Barry Sonnenfeld is attached to develop the book Things a Man Should Never Do Past 30 as a series for CBS. [THR]
· Donations are now being accepted for the food drive "Feed the Need," a Jamie Foxx-endorsed tie-in with his movie The Soloist. In keeping with the themes of the film, however, donors are kindly asked to supply meals that will keep for at least six months in storage without spoiling. [Variety]

Today in Toronto Hell: Anne Hathaway's Shoes, Michael Cera's Backpack, Guy Ritchie's Vision

STV — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:15:00 EDT

The Toronto Film Festival is right about at its midway point — an essential milestone from which to take stock of noteworthy developments and drama that we couldn't help but watch smolder from Defamer HQ. And while some of our principal plotlines either have yet to unwind (Paris and her doc show up tomorrow) or were resolved to our satisfaction (The Wrestler wins the fest's distribution sweepstakes), there remains a bundle of loose ends requiring maintenance and attention from a distance. That's Canada for you!

· A National Post writer went to the party for Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, where Michael Cera bumped around wearing his backpack and Kat Dennings, ahem, "gave off the unpretentious dewiness that is a visa of sorts to the country of bigger fame for starlets-on-the-climb." And if that fails, there's always Robert Rodriguez's hot tub.

· Tired of his besties at Warner Bros., Patrick Goldstein upgraded in Toronto with newfound documentary sensation LeBron James. The NBA star is featured in Hoop Dreams-ish coming-of-age saga More Than a Game, which tracks five kids — including James (it was only six years ago!) — from their "decrepit inner-city gym" to their contention for a national high school basketball championship. It apparently made James cry and made producer/music mogul Jimmy Iovine call Goldstein, who pimps it lovingly, noting that Lionsgate might be at the front of the line to pick it up.

· At last night's Sony Pictures Classics dinner, Anne Hathaway's shoes deflected attention from Charlie Kaufman's public awkwardness. That was nice of them!

· Which reminds us: Celebrities! Starlets! Ptooey! Canada for the Canadians! [Via David Poland]

· Does anyone up there has a spare camera he or she can lend to Jeffrey Wells? "Three young apes" stole his — and his iPhone. And he missed The Wrestler. At least buy the guy a drink or something if you see him.

· Jesus — first The Wrestler, now Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Todd McCarthy is turning into Harry Knowles.

· Tasting a hint of assent from critics and the public alike, Guy Ritchie OD'd on confidence and announced an entire Rocknrolla franchise. Last we heard, Joel Silver was still shopping the first one.

Hollywood's New China Rule

Hamilton Nolan — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:24:25 EDT

Sharon Stone has finally apologized for her "inappropriate" comment that the recent massive Chinese earthquake was a product of "bad karma" for the country for its treatment on Tibet. She's sorry, okay! Nevertheless, fashion house Christian Dior announced that it's pulling all of its ads featuring the actress from all department stores, and the entire country of China. Though the comment itself was stupid, Stone's hasty retreat from her brash Tibet-championing—and Dior's even harsher public rebuke of her—are a great illustration of what is becoming the New China Rule: "Do Not Talk About The New China Rule." It's been de rigeur for top stars to prove their class by endorsing luxury brands, and to prove their morality by pontificating about Tibet. But guess what: pretty soon you're going to have to pick one or the other, Hollywood. And it's not looking good for the Dalai Lama.

Everybody wants IN to the Chinese market. This particularly goes for high-end luxury brands, which are slobbering over the prospect of Chinese people—more than a billion of them!—soon having enough money to start buying their products. As the country gains a stronger middle and upper class, Dior and Armani and Chanel and Vuitton and all their friends are counting on a huge new customer base. Politics be damned!

And all the stars who model for, receive freebies from, or endorse all these brands? They're going to have to shut their traps about Tibet. China accepts no dissent on the issue. The Chinese government will happily blacklist any company foolish enough to publicly raise the issue, and no company would ever do such a thing. Nor will they allow their endorsers to. It's as simple as that. Every major company on earth has, thus far, folded in the face of Chinese totalitarianism, because the promise of their untapped customer base is too good to sacrifice for an abstract political cause. The shareholders want profits, not slogans.

So here's a prediction: In the future, the only Hollywood stars to loudly adopt the Tibet issue will be those who are too old or unpopular to land the juiciest luxury endorsements. Or maybe some of them will willingly ditch their endorsements in order to continue arguing for the cause? Ha ha! Yea, we hope so too. Maybe Richard Gere will stick it out.

Think that's cynical? The same thing has already happened in the sports world. NBA superstar Lebron James refused to sign a letter from ten of his own teammates condemning China's business connection to the atrocities in Darfur. Why? Because he has a $100 million contract with Nike, and the Olympics are coming up in Beijing, and Nike wants a big piece, as well as big peace. Most other big name athletes have already fallen in line as well.

Hopefully the Dalai Lama can do without Beverly Hills.

[Photo via Getty]