● Hugh Hefner just laid around "like a dead fish" during sex, according to the memoir of a former Playmate, who also alleges that Hef's old number one, Holly Madison, had the dirtiest job of all. [Daily Mail]
● David Beckham swears under oath that he did not have sex with Irma Nici, a prostitute, who claims it happened five times in total. If he's lying, Becks is in big trouble. [TMZ]
● Marc Anthony owes $3.4 million in back taxes, meaning he needs his career back or to be really nice to Jennifer Lopez. [Radar]

Finding inspiration in everything from '50s sci-fi movies to his charming wife, Italian illustrator and graphic designer Nazario Graziano has created an aesthetic that is uniquely his own. Graziano takes elements from all forms of art, absorbs them, and plays with them, crafting images that exist somewhere between dreams and reality. Over the past few years, he has created designs for everyone from GQ to MTV to Toyota, exercising his ability to appeal to an international audience on a massive scale. His work reflects a chaotic world that is ironic and relevant while staying true to his sense of romanticism and beauty in an ever-evolving culture. We caught up with Graziano to see where he draws his design inspiration, which artistic hat he prefers, and his hopes of designing album art for his favorite bands.

There were two types of books in 2010: books that were Jonathan Franzen's Freedom, and books that weren't. Not that Freedom was a better book than all the others—I'd put up anything on this list against Freedom in a battle of the books—but it was the book everyone talked about, and, more impressively, it was the book everyone seems to have actually read. And that is serious feat, no matter what you think of the novel itself. But enough (and really too much) has already been said about Freedom. Instead, I'd like to point out some books that not enough has been said about. Below are my favorite books of the year, categorized by the various, made-up awards I've chosen to give them. There are some glaring omissions, mostly because I haven't read every single book that came out this year (still looking forward to Skippy Dies, A Visit from the Goon Squad, Radioactive, Melting Season, Eileen Myles's Inferno, and Keith Richards's Life, among others). But the list is meant more as a guide to some pretty awesome books, than a definitive appraisal. Add your own favorites in the comments section.

There's still plenty of time before the December 31 deadline to enter "The City Is Your Canvas," an art/design contest presented by BlackBook and Case-Mate. Remember, the winner gets $1,000 cash and a share of proceeds from the sale of their work on IMakeMyCase.com. This afternoon's featured entry: Chizuco Sophia Yw. But why should she hog all the fun (and potentially the prize)? Enter now!

● "The Snooki ball drop isn't going to happen in Times Square," says someone who knows. Hopefully all the children of the world will stop crying over this by midnight. [Popeater]
● Kelly Osbourne found out on Christmas that her ex-fiance Luke Worrall was cheating on her, so she called him a "piece of shit" and much more in a Twitter rant. [Us Weekly]
● Kim Kardashian filmed a secret music video with Kanye West and director Hype Williams for her upcoming single, which -- for some reason -- is legitimately exciting. [TMZ]

Every good actor has his or her own distinctive persona or “type.” It’s why we line up at theaters to watch them do their thing, whether it’s Jackie Chan using a household object to kick a bad guy’s ass, or Meryl Streep getting emotional - first angry, then sad, then strong-willed and able to overcome. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can go wrong. It’s why we don’t leave children or my wife alone with candy, they can’t help themselves. It’s the same with actors, they want so badly to be loved and adored, they’ll just keep on doing that thing we love over and over, harder and more often until their “type” takes on a persona of it’s own. And that’s when actors turn into caricatures, taking their career into a weird, sad place. For example:

There's still plenty of time before the December 31 deadline to enter "The City Is Your Canvas," an art/design contest presented by BlackBook and Case-Mate. Remember, the winner gets $1,000 cash and a share of proceeds from the sale of their work on IMakeMyCase.com. This afternoon's featured entry: Alexandria Bevilacqua. But why should he hog all the fun (and potentially the prize)? Enter now!

Clear from your mind every thought of morality, legality, guilt, good manners, and common sense. Taking only your id into account, conjure an image of the ultimate party. There's food, of course. Rich, decadent fare like steak, lobster, oysters, caviar, and all manner of sweets. Plenty of booze, too, no doubt: fine vodkas and whiskies, wine for the food, champagne for both drinking and spraying. All manner of other intoxicants too, if you like. No dealer's going to sweat you, no cop will arrest you. Some smoke to let your thoughts soar, some sniffy to get you going? All good. There's lively music, there's dancing, and lord are there girls - and guys. They're hot, they're naked, and they can't keep their hands off you, so feel free to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh. What else do you need? Hot tubs, saunas, bubbles? Done, done, and done. Here's heaven on earth: you want it, you take it. Sound enticing? Well, you could keep on imagining it, or you could head on over to Moscow right now, hook up with the right crowd, and do this every night.

How’s this one for quick turnaround? Yesterday, the Internet was buzzing with rumors that a “new” Dre-produced track titled “Syllables,” featuring Eminem, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent was on the way. The song, which also features verses from Ca$his and Stat Quo hit the web a few hours later, along with another version of Dre's previously leaked “Topless." Although the new leak might signal that “Syllables” was at some point intended for Dre’s Detox album, the song was actually recorded circa 2007 (note Eminem’s TRL reference). “Syllables” takes aim at watered down hip-hop, as Em preempts his verse with the disclaimer: “It is not about lyrics anymore, it’s about a hot beat and a catchy hook,” before rhyming, "If we gotta dumb down our style and ABC it / Then so be it / 'Cause nowadays these kids, jeez / Don't give a s--t bout lyrics. All they wanna hear is a beat and that’s it / Long as they can go to the club and get blitz / Pick up some chicks and get some digits."

There's still plenty of time before the December 31 deadline to enter "The City Is Your Canvas," an art/design contest presented by BlackBook and Case-Mate. Remember, the winner gets $1,000 cash and a share of proceeds from the sale of their work on IMakeMyCase.com. Today's featured entry: Ray Romero. But why should he hog all the fun (and potentially the prize)? Enter now!