For what it's worth, I thought that panelist Chris Jacobs was totally out of line when he essentially told Heidi that she's also to blame for Spencer's incendiary comments because they are married now, and are "one unit."

No doubt there's some behind-the-scenes acrimony here, considering that Michael Lohan has hung out with NeNe's frenemy, Kim Zolciak, (he was even at the restaurant the night Sheree tugged on Kim's wig). But still, he is a shitty parent. And now? He's proven that he's a shitty person to boot.

Look, fashion critic Mandi Norwood is well within her rights if she wants to write a book called Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion a mere six months into the administration; people will probably buy it, too. (Having attended an excrutiating lecture in which the audience and a bunch of designers looked a slide show of outfits we'd already seen, and struggled for new things to say about them, I probably won't.) And Politico can certainly, if they like, ask the question that was on nobody's mind: "But is it enough to best the last, truly glamorous first lady - Jackie Kennedy?"

Since it's obviously a competition between two women, one dead, living in completely different eras - Vanity Fair even lets you vote in a poll on who dresses better! - Norwood gamely weighs in.

"Jackie O, despite the fact that she genuinely was a style icon
and she broke many barriers in terms of being fashion forward, her clothing and her style was really very elite. There were very few people on a street level who could look at the outfit that Jackie Kennedy actually wore and rush out and by them. ... There are elements of [Michelle]'s style that make us feel close to her, that make her feel approachable and accessible."

This sort of silliness jazzes up interviews and pages, but it points to a larger fixation on comparing Mrs. Obama to Jackie ("the comparisons are inevitable," insists VF) that is somewhat bizarre (and not merely because Camelot owes a lot of its mystique to its tragedy.) Without wishing to be drawn into the "debate" I'm going to step in and say that this is simply unfair: it's impossible to compare an era rife with a range of ready-to-wear with one in which it was just taking hold. And to say Jackie's look was unattainable; well, what about the fact that she single-handedly created the defining look of her day? What about the raft of suits, pillboxes, Jackie hairdos she inspired? Maybe Mrs. Kennedy didn't shop off the rack - as wealthy women did not - and knockoffs weren't as instantaneous in the early 60s, but within a few months, her admirers most certainly could rush out and buy an approximation. And is an icon "accessible?" Maybe by definition, no - like runway fashion, Mrs. Kennedy's original couture was aspirational, at least a part of its appeal. And the irony of this whole idiocy is that Mrs. Obama would surely be the first to acknowledge the style debt she owes to Jackie!

And if it were a contest - which it's not, for all kinds of very obvious reasons - well, why not let Jackie Kennedy win? Because Jackie Kennedy did not have a problem being defined as a First Lady of Style. She lived in a time when her role was limited and she played that role beautifully, with charm and grace and inspiring elan. Jackie Kennedy was a style icon who created an original look forever associated with her, and changed how America dressed. Maybe ten women in modern sartorial history can claim this, and I'd be very surprised if this were one of Mrs. Obama's ambitions. As she recently said on NBC, "No, I would have never anticipated at any point in my life that my choice of sweaters or shoes would matter at all." Michelle Obama is an accomplished woman who dresses well and is taking full, good advantage of her influence and her access, as she should. She's helping fashion take its place in the life of an intelligent professional woman. She's also expanding the world - and the fashion world's - narrow view of who can, and does, embody modern style. Lots of very intelligent people have explored very ably the dangers of reducing Mrs. Obama to a walking clotheshorse, and while no one faults people's natural interest, her style, her influence with regard to small designers, the concern has always been that this serves to diminish her. Let Jackie have the glamour mantle. In time, Michelle can be the more influential First Lady.

Michelle Obama bests Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for one fashion critic [Politico]

Michelle O. talks "fashion" [Politico]
Michelle's Secret Weapon [Daily Beast]

Jackie and Michelle: The White House Wardrobes [Vanity Fair]

To put it simply, he comes off like an asshole — on this topic, at the very least — no matter which show he's on. Of his time on The View, he said, "I knew it was gonna be bad. It turned into seven minutes of the most ridiculous who said hello to whom first I've ever seen." Meanwhile, all he's talking about is what they already talked about. Then the host subbing in for him referred to The View panelists as "knuckleheads." While we love to poke fun at Barbara et al for various reasons, they're Lenny and Squiggy.

Earlier: Glenn "Lying Sack Of Dog Mess" Beck Gets Hell From View Panel

During the fall shows at the upcoming NY Fashion Week, two groups of designers are doing special shows: one, Hello Kitty-themed, to celebrate a collaboration with MAC cosmetics, and another in honor of Barbie's 50th birthday. While we don't know who all the designers are yet, we can't help but wonder what will win out: the Icon or the It Girl? Says the Times: "Barbie is to Cindy Crawford what Hello Kitty is to Naomi Campbell. One is the conscientious workhorse of her oeuvre, with a heart of gold (or plastic) and an improbably perfect body; the other is more difficult to read, with a sinister streak lurking behind that sweet, beautiful facade...'I love that there is an innocence about Hello Kitty, but she's also sexy,' said Esteban Cortazar, the Ungaro designer, who was taken by her cockeyed red bow."

Kitty may have Ungaro, but Babs has got the home-court advantage! Here are the stats:



Name: Barbara Millicent Roberts, aka Barbie
Age: 50
Height: 11"
Hometown: Willows, Wisconsin.
Education: Willows High School, Manhattan International High School
Profession: Teen, Ballerina, Flight Attendant, Astronaut, Doctor, Nascar Driver
Inspiration: Bild Lilli, the German "adult" doll.
Film and TV work: Superstar
Fans: Andy Warhol
Friends: Ken, Midge, Skipper, Teresa, Christie
Enemies: Saudi Arabia, Aqua, Bratz, Gloria Allred
Fashion Inspiration: Christian Dior, Bob Mackie, Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld



Name: Hello Kitty aka ハローキティ, Harō Kiti
Age: 34
Height: Varies
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Education: Primary School
Profession: Child-cat
Inspiration: Vinyl coin purse
Film and TV work: Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre, Hello Kitty and Friends , Hello Kitty's Stump Village
Fans: UNICEF, Hello Kitty Murderer
Friends: Mimmy, Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, Chococat
Fashion Inspiration: MAC, Esteban Cortazar of Ungaro
Tributes: Hello Kitty Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hello Kitty Restaurant, Taipei, Taiwan.

We're just going to go ahead and declare the winner Hello Kitty. Although Barbie has classic appeal, Kitty brings a freshness and innocence - as well as a less-conventional body type - that appeals to the current ethos, and her integration of Japanese influence and classic girlishness could have very interesting sartorial results. Like all classic fashion icons, she inspires, is a chameleon, yet is always herself. Also: Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre made 1986 a year to remember. She may be young, but the cat has a serial killer and a maternity hospital; hard to top that.

Hello Kitty And Barbie: Round 1 [New York Times]

In a PR email we got about E!'s Daily 10, Duff said, “I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don't even know who she is, so you know…. I think it was a little unnecessary but I might be mad if I looked like that now too." Snap! [E!, Defamer]

Apparently the photo shoot features Aniston posing in designer swimsuits on the beach in Malibu, and "her body has never looked tighter or more fit." As for this quote about Angelina, the Daily Mail insists:

In an outburst that will lift the lid on their four-year feud, Miss Aniston icily told the publication: "What Angelina did was very uncool." The brief yet explosive comment marks the first occasion that the former Friends star has spoken out publicly about her love rival. It comes just a fortnight after Miss Jolie, 33, revealed that she and Pitt had 'fell in love' during the making of Mr and Mrs Smith in 2004, despite previously claiming their romance only started after filming. A source said: "This interview shows that Jennifer is no longer afraid of Angelina," adding: "It's hugely significant."

The paper also claims the "uncool" quote appears on the cover. Since the December issue has not yet hit stands, whether any of this is true remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: The Aniston vs. Jolie feud will not die. Raise your hand if you're sick of it.

EXCLUSIVE: 'What Angelina Did Was Very Uncool,' Says Jennifer Aniston As She Slams Love Rival In New Interview [Daily Mail]