Gawker: Statements

Sam Zell On Lawsuit: Stop Pissing Me Off

Hamilton Nolan — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:26:12 EDT

Gnomish Tribune CEO Sam Zell has finally deigned to respond to the fact that his own current and former employees at the LA Times filed a lawsuit against him two days ago for, essentially, making Tribune suck. We imagine Zell spent a full day throwing things around his office and carving "F.U!" in his desk with a pen knife before he calmed down enough to make a statement. Though he couldn't help but include the fact that he's outraged, absolutely outraged, at the (motherfuckers) who filed this suit. Read Zell's seething statement after the jump:

"The lawsuit filed yesterday is filled with frivolous and unfounded allegations, and I hope every partner in this company is as outraged as I am at having to spend the time and money required to defend ourselves against it. The media industry is in crisis, the advertising environment is extremely difficult and the economy is in turmoil. The overwhelming majority of our employees have taken up the challenge — they are working hard, leading by example, and devoting themselves to re-inventing our businesses by developing new and innovative products for our readers, viewers and advertisers. As a company we are attacking our problems and revolutionizing the media industry.

"This lawsuit is a mere distraction, and we will work quickly to see that
it is dismissed. It will not deter us from completing the work ahead."

The State of Things

Pareene — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:59:02 EDT

"'Based on the record before us,' the FCC said, 'we conclude that TMZ does qualify as a bona fide newscast because it reports news of some area of current events, in a manner similar to more traditional newscasts.'" [B&C]

'WHO KILLED OBAMA?' Asks Sweatshirt

Hamilton Nolan — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:55:16 EDT

Designer Doron Braunshtein, a.k.a. Apollo Braun, expresses his interest in matters political with his newest work of sweatshirt-related art. And you can too, for the low price of $129! Braunshtein, who describes himself as "very punk rock," says his message is one of love, not of assassination [NY Press]. Though he worries, "Could you imagine if Obama were killed? They might blame me. Then I'd be taken to jail and have to have prison sex." Let's all hope no such thing comes to pass! To be fair, this sweatshirt fits with a certain ongoing theme, as this picture of Braunshtein's last big t-shirt design ($250) attests:

Britney Spears: Philosopher

Richard Lawson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:26:04 EST

I know you've been dying to know what Britney Spears has to say on the whole Heath Ledger hullabaloo. Well, she's finally weighed in and her statement is as sad, telling, and oddly beautiful as one could hope. When asked about the young actor's death she says, while sitting in her car and lighting a cigarette, in a strange British-ish accent, "He's still here. No one ever really dies." If you care to, it's about a minute into this TMZ clip. The rest of the video is pretty existential too. Sigh. [TMZ]

Mary-Kate Olsen Also Makes Statements

Maggie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:23:02 EST

"Heath was a friend. His death is a tragic loss. My thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time." [ET]