Divorce Predictions and Pro Bono Rehab

The biggest news story in Australia right now (and sadly, that isn’t an exaggeration) is that Paris Hilton spent $5000 in less than an hour in Wayne Cooper’s Melbourne store. News announcers have repeatedly pointed out that is $140 a minute, before quoting someone from World Vision as saying that amount of money could provide fresh water for an entire African village. I struggle with this news item on a few levels – firstly, there’s no point doing the per minute equation when she’s shopping for designer garments. It’s not like she’s whipped through Target in under an hour and dropped $5000 (now that would be a challenge, I think you’d run out of things to buy at $500) – she’s buying things that have triple digit price tags to begin with. A few dresses, some jeans, a handful of tops and a couple of bags and you’ve pretty much reached your quota. And secondly, what is the point of quoting a disgruntled World Vision employee – is he called in to make comments on what everybody’s money could buy, if they weren’t spending it on designer threads? Should we turn to him every time a Double Bay Mum spends up big in a day spa or indulges in an LV bag? Or every time an Eastern Suburbs socialite gets her boobs done? Or when annoying eighteen year olds drop $300 on a festival ticket and then some on horse barbiturates, I mean, ‘party drugs.’ Does Mr World Vision truly believe commenting on Paris Hilton’s recent splurge (minor when compared to her customised pink Bentley purchase) or is he cashing in on a touch of publicity? That or whoever was researching the item thought they’d get all social conscience-y and prove FM radio can tell the tough stories.

In other highlights …

So apparently Tara Reid is attending rehab pro bono, with infamous centre Promises allegedly waiving her fee, in return for the exposure rehabbing Tara Reid will give. Considering Tara has willingly exposed herself all over the world, and no benefits have been sighted thus far, within her own career or for the establishment she was exposing herself in, this may be wishful thinking on Promises’ part.

Prince Harry has been snapped on his knees, getting cosy with a beer bong. No one is surprised.

Timbaland has run out on a $10,000 florist’s bill. Yes, a florist’s bill. Apparently he lavishly decorated his home for Christmas and baulked when the bill of $25,000 came through. I would baulk too. That’s a lot of foliage. $25,000 on flowers – now’s the time to give World Vision a call.

According to the weekly missives of trash, Katie has walked out on Tom. Also according to the weekly missives of trash, Tom has ‘hit back’, claiming Katie would never leave him. Moral of the story? No one really knows.

Daniel Craig is on holiday in St. Barth. I’ve sold my soul and booked my ticket already, there’s no stopping me now.

J-Lo and Marc Anthony’s marriage is on the rocks, four years after they wed and less than a year after the birth of their twins. Those in the know are predicting a February divorce. Yes, you can predict Hollywood divorces. It’s something of a sport.

Matthew McConaughey has gone straight to DVD. With a poster like that, it’s little wonder.