Tirdad Derakhshani was born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in London and rural North Jersey, where he closely studied a theoretical, radical post-Hegelian approach to cow-tipping. He moved to Philadelphia in the mid-'80s to seek enlightenment, and instead received a B.A. in literature at Penn. While pursuing doctoral studies in modern religious thought and philosophy, he worked at the Inquirer as a news clerk, researcher, editor, and entertainment writer.
He hopes SideShow will help citizens better understand the vicissitudes of the Consumerist-Military-Industrial-Infotainment Complex, or, in other words, why Britney Spears has a tendency to shave her head, Brangelina to adopt children, and Lindsay Lohan to crave imprisonment.
For live gossip and entertainment coverage visit the SideShow blog.
Email Tirdad at sideshow@phillynews.com
It's unanimous. Nearly so anyway. This weekend, Ben Affleck took home the top prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards for his work on Argo. His winning streak now includes the Producers Guild, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Golden Globes.
British authorities have decided not to prosecute Aussie DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who impersonated members of the royal family in a prank call to London's King Edward VII's Hospital on Dec. 4. Posing as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, they asked after the pregnant Kate Middleton.
-
John Mayer makes music with another
-
John Mayer, whose tempestuous relationship with Taylor Swift inspired some of her nicest songs, is offering the same services to another A-list singer, Katy Perry.
-
Are Baldwins expecting?
-
Quick work, friends! . . . if true. We speak of Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas. Fresh, not to say still soppin' wet, from their June wedding, the widely-spaced (he 54, she 28) couple are bombarded by frantic reports that they are fecundated.
-
New bio and film on J.D. Salinger
-
The late, great J.D. Salinger, the famously reclusive author of one of America's most famous novels, The Catcher in the Rye, will be revealed in all his private glory in a new biography and film.
-
Bieber blue over breakup
-
Justin Bieber, 18, has finally spoken out about his breakup with Selena Gomez, the biggest love upset since Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake broke the planet's heart 11 years ago.
-
Hansel and Gretel burn up the field
-
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters threw the weekend competition in the oven, debuting at No. 1, say studio guesses, with $19 million gross. The next nine: Mama, $12.86 mils; Philly-based Silver Linings Playbook, $10 mils; Zero Dark Thirty, $9.8 mils; Parker, weak with $7 mils; Django Unchained, $5 mils; Movie 43, rancid debut with $5 mils; Gangster Squad, $4.2 mils; Broken City, $4 mils; and Les Misérables, $2.9 mils.
-
More Kardashian accusations aired
-
The Kardashian konflict kontinues. Ellen Kardashian, relict of the late legal eagle Robert Kardashian Sr., defends herself to In Touch mag against nasty comments about her from Robert's daughters Kim and Khloé. Seems the gals were a little browned off that Ellen, 72, vouched for a diary in
-
Mom: Whitney sick of showbiz
-
She was inspired to the music life by child star Michael Jackson. Yet when she finally had it all - fame, glory, riches - all Whitney Houston wanted to do was quit.
-
Report: Kris abused Kim
-
In a stunner, In Touch says Kris Jenner abused her kids when they were little. The mag claims it has a diary belonging to Kris' late ex-husband, Robert Kardashian Sr., detailing instances of abuse. "Kris was kicking and beating" daughter Kim and
-
Oh, say, could she sing ... live?
-
Surely no public figure save Oprah is as beloved as Beyoncé. Artist, wife, lover, and mother, she can do no wrong.
-
An Obama bash bashing
-
Call it Fiascogate. Or the Lupe Fiasco fiasco. (Fiasco-squared for short?) The Chicago rapper born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco was escorted off the stage Sunday at the StartUp RockOn inauguration bash in Washington after engaging in a 30-minute version of the an
MORE STORIES
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners: