Does Jessica Simpson even know how to drive?

On the last day of gluttonous freebie-grabbing before last night's MTV Video Music Awards, Jessica Simpson proved herself the Queen of Swag. While Jessica tried on clothes and hats under Joe's appraising eye, a young woman appeared with a fistful of VMA passes, which Paves shoved into his Louis Vuitton duffle bag. Jessica, wearing black Dior sunglasses indoors, could only croak out a few words because of laryngitis - but she wasn't too weak to stock up. Two flunkies groaned under the weight of dozens of bags to be loaded into Jessica's SUV. Her haul included almost $4,000 worth of G-Star denim, many thousands more in Rosalina diamond jewelry, dozens of Hanes and Penguin shirts and a Klipsch iGroove home sound system. Somehow Jessica skipped the Heatherette display, but a resourceful publicist foisted a bag of goodies on Joe as he waited for the elevator. Back in the lobby, Jessica primped before facing the paparazzi while her brain trust debated whether or not she should take her black coat off (off won), and she applied multiple coats of lip gloss while Paves dutifully leaned over to tuck stray hairs behind her ears. Then Jessica selected a key out of a grab bag, in hopes that it would start the Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 convertible parked outside on 40th St. And guess what? It did! The car was hers. The crowd cheered as Jessica added the $50,000 sports car to her day's winnings - all potentially taxable, though her flack claims she's donating the whole pile to charity. "These items are gifts only if the givers are making these presentations out of what the court has called 'disinterested generosity,'" IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis told Lowdown yesterday, adding that with swag, the question is: "Was it made from the goodness of their hearts, or was it in return for something, such as posing for a picture?" (Llyod Groves acct http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/448480p-377537c.html) But I don't know how to drive, jessica whined. (Actually Jessica is one of the great celebs that really appreciate her fans. After this photo op she went along the crowd signing, posing and hugging fans. I'm outta here and if you are read this before midnight ... tonights parties are: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE & NELLY FURTADO :: Roseland Ballroom :: August 31 :: Live performance by the pop-star. Limited tickets are available to the general public WARNER BROTHERS VMA AFTER PARTY :: Bowery Ballroom :: August 31 :: with John Legend performing. BEYONCE & JAY-Z'S VMA AFTER PARTY :: 40/40 :: August 31 VIRGIN's VMA AFTER PARTY :: Marquee :: August 31 :: Special Musical guest The Rapture Warner Bros dinner party: Budukan 9th Ave/14th Lil Kim party at Time Warner Center 50 Cents/LL Cool J Tao 58th Street

Nick Lachey and His Girlfriend Vanessa Milano at his CD Listening Party

I know why you are here; you want to see these photos taken almost a year after I took these shots: http://www.fleshbot.com/sex/we-have-bush/celebrity-full-frontal-watch-vanessa-minnillos-vacation-outtakes-290633.php

Another Day at the Style Luxe Lounge

After work I stopped by the VMA Style Gift Lounge where those damn celebrities stop by and pick up alot good shit for free.Is this really neccesary? Wouldn't it be nicer to donate this stuff to the Katrina victims or something? After a few hours it was time for for somebody's new CD listening party. Who would be big enough to attract the likes of Gilbert Godfrey... Ford Model Lydia Hearst Mario recorded his debut album at age 15, he turned 20 last Sunday. Avenged Sevenfold, guess I will Youtube.com them tomorrow to see what they are all about. and Nelly, who couldn't be nicer to pose for fans.

Tonights Pre-VMA Parties

If you're in the NYC area and you want to see some celebrities, I'm gonna share the wealth and let you in on a little secret. Here is tonight's list: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 • Common & Famke Janssen's VMA Cookout 2006 with music by Biz Markie, DJ Reach and DJ Neil Armstrong Location: Sky Studios, 704 Broadway NYC - Penthouse A & B Time: 7pm-12am • Nick Lachey’s Official Pre-VMA Party Location: The Cellar Bar at the Bryant Park Hotel Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guest list includes: Vanessa Milliano (I'm sure) • Absolut Ruby Red Hosted by Pharrell Location: Chinatown Brasserie Time: 9 p.m. • Panic at the Disco and Fall Out Boy Concert Location: TENJUNE (on Little West 12th) Time: Late evening • Oakley, BME Recording & Crunk Energy Drink Location: Snitch (59 West 21st Street) Time: 10 p.m. (Jessica & Ashley Simpson, Missy Elliott, DMX) • Warner Brothers Pre VMA Party and John Legend Concert Location: Bowery Ballrom Time: 8 pm Guest list includes: Danity Kane; Deftones; Diddy (no longer going by the "P"); Disturbed; Gnarls Barkley; James Blunt; Lil Jon; Mastodon; There's another one with Mariah Carrey, Pink and Janet Jackson, but I have to keep something secret.

Lance Bass & Reichen Lehmkuhl

On July 26, 2006, former 'N Sync band member Lance Bass told People Magazine that he is gay and in a stable relationship with Lehmkuhl. I spotted them on my way home from work tonight. They were hanging outside the In Style MTV Lounge after picking up some goodie bags at the gift lounge. (I know I have been celebrity slacking, but this week is the VMA's in NYC and I am resting up. Tomorrow I have about 6 parties to go to, and then on Thursday the VMA's and about 5 parties. SO I hope to shoot a lot of fun celebs)

INVINCIBLE - A True Story about Philadelphia Eagles Vince Papale

In 1976, Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a 30-year-old Philly bartender, shows up for an open call for the Philadelphia Eagles by their new coach Dick Vermeil(Greg Kinnear), and though he never even played football in college, Vince was able to get on the team and live the dream of every football fan. The movie is great. I did see Vince Papale go in, but didn't get a good shot of him. This is what the "Red Carpet" or really "The Press Line" is all about. Behind the press is a thin area going the length of the Press Line where the early bird fans can stand and take great photos of the stars as they are shot by the press and interviewed by Access Hollywood etc. I am often late arriving from work, but usually manage to sneak into the line. Today I wasn't so lucky and had to shoot from across the street. Later I waited until the movie was over and stood by the exit of the theater. The security detailed is halved by this time and it is easy to shoot the stars or even get an autograph. Howard Stern's girlfriend model Beth OstroskyMarky Mark himself Mark Wahlberg Too close for comfort to get a decent shot... Wahlberg is excellent in the movie and very believable. A football player, anyone know who it is? Another football player, anyone know who it is? Dick Vermil former coach of the Eagles who is portrayed by Greg Kinear in the movie. I think he was excited I knew who he was as I yelled out his name.

Cindy Adams: A Fashion Goddess in the Making

The other night when I attended the Idlewild premiere I saw everyone's favorite gossip columnist, the NY Post's Cindy Adams. She was truly making a fashion statement, not sure what she was going for, but it was loud. Check her out. I know exactly how the girl with the sunglasses feels; I too was like what's up with that thing on your head Cindy? I couldn't figure out if it was extensions gone bad, did she leave her head under the dryer too long, was she shocked by stepping on a wet Con-Ed street cover, did a birds nest drop from a tree and land squarely on her head, was it a half plucked bird ... what the heck was on her head?She sure is as proud as a peacock with herself, the cat's meow I would say.I believe someone just asked her if she was harboring a few baby chicks in the nest; check out her "What you talking about Willis?" look!Here's Cindy in all her fashion glory head to toe Diana Ross hand me down zebra dress topped off by - what the heck is on her head? Ought oh, it looks like one of the chicks from the nest had a small accident and she is wiping it away. Anyone have a tissue? Thankfully Liza came along and I had something else to obsess about :)

Idlewild - A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South

Idlewild - A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster (Big Boi) must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner Percival (André Benjamin) must choose between his love, Angel (Paula Patton) or his obligations to his father (Ben Vereen). Joe or Marvis Frazier was in the audienceAndre Benjamin and Patti Labelle starring in the moviePaula Patton Mr. Benjamin Smith's CD drops in September Antwan A. Patton of Outkast Terrence Howard - Did you know that when he signs his autograph, he signs completely backwards (check out ebay terrence howard signed to see an example) Ledgendary LIZA with a Z with Ledgendary Ben Vereen

Christina Aguilera in Concert GMA

I have to say that although I am a new Aguilera fan, she is definetly more talented than those other two blondes. About 5,000 people showed up for her Good Morning America concert in Bryant Park on Friday August 18, 2006 (Where the heck is the summer going?) It's hard to believe that this powerhouse has dropped only 3 albums in her career. She's got a serious team of handlers...

Martin Short - Fame Becomes Me

Last night after work I ran over to the Opening of Martin Short's new Broadway play - Fame Becomes Me. I have to say it was probably one the best opening I have ever witnessed. Every Iconic comedian was there - Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Jerry Seinfeld to name a few.

Chevy Chase and family

James Marsden stars in 10th and Wolf which opens today in theaters. The story is set in my hometown of Philadelphia. I love the tagline "The intersection where family, honor and betrayal collide." It's about Marine Sgt. Tommy Santoro (James Marsden) thinks he's left behind his family's ties to organized crime. Returning home to South Philly, he meets up with his brother, Vincent (Brad Renfro), and cousin Joey (Giovanni Ribisi), who both become mob thugs. Soon Tommy finds himself on the wrong side of the law. Bernadette Peters; Bette Midler in backgroundElizabeth Stanley soon to be seen in the Company at Ethel Barrymore Theatre starting in Nov. Chris Elliott Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Chevy Chase (again) This is a good view of the "Red Carpet" where you can see the celebs go down one side, and their guests and non-celebs (people who don't sell magazines) or people don't want to be bothered doing the press line (Lauren Bacall, Martin Scorsee, Katie Couric) go down the otherside and right into the theater's door. Andrea Martin from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, currently in How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) Brian Stokes Mitchell & Allyson Tucker; Christine EbersoleJerry Seinfeld wondering where his car is parked? His wife looking like she just finished sucking on a lemmon. Matthew Morrison is to the right with the hat on.I almost lost my life getting this photo. To get a shot like this you have to get right in front of the celeb and walk backwards. Well I did that with the other photogs, but what I didn't expect was there would be a mounted cop on the sidewalk - BOOM - I hit the horse with full force, shocking the horse, the cop and making Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn crack up. But it was worth my aching back to get this shot.Martin Short exits the show with a smile on his new face. Paul Schaeffer from Letterman is behind him. I got this great shot of my two favorite people at the After Party held at the Tavern on the Green. Celebs can be so nice when there's only a few people around. SJP thanked us for waiting for them and mentioned that she hope that we had eaten before we took on the task of waiting. Have you ever met nicer and sexier people than these two? After I shot this picture, Matthew walked SJP to a waiting car, kissed her goodnight and sent her off to home without him. He ran back into the TOG and about 15 minutes later came out with James Marsden, a group of guys and 2 tall blondes. With great merriment they all got into cabs and waiting cars and in a caravan made a left onto CPW. Billy Crystal walked outside with Chevy Chase as the latter had a smoke. Chevy posed for one photo with a guy who started quoting from "National Lampoon's Vacation"Eugene Levy has got the American Pie franchise sewn up; he's working on the 7th sequel, is that really necessary? Bernadette Peters tells me that she doesn't plan to go back to Broadway anytime soon, but will do a few more concerts next year. She was sweet, and after I took this shot she insisted I take a photo with her, which I did.Martin Short calls it a night and takes his souvenier glass with him...