Tony Ortega

The 2012 Obie Award Winners

Bill O'Reilly Even Seems To Think O.J. Crackpot Bill Dear Is Full Of It *VIDEO*

Private investigator Bill Dear, who's just released a new book claiming that O.J. Simpson's son is the "real killer" in the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, is making the media rounds pimping his BS book, O.J. Is Innocent And I Can Prove It.(Voice editor-in-chief Tony ... More >>

O.J.'s Son's Not "The Real Killer" -- Regardless Of How Much Of His Trash Private Dick Bill Dear Sifts Through

The story about a Texas private investigator's new book claiming that he has proof O.J. Simpson isn't guilty of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman is getting the kind of media buzz you would expect when someone makes a claim as absurd as "O.J. didn't ... More >>

Battlefield Earth: Still Making the World Safe From Scientology Nearly 12 Years Later

Last night, I noticed this excerpt from a Canadian interview show, and boy, did it bring back memories. It's a priceless reaction by actor Kim Coates when he's asked about Battlefield Earth by CBC show host George Stroumboulopoulos (who mercifully goes by "Strombo"). I mean, imagine having that mov ... More >>

The 39th Pazz And Jop Poll Is Live

Hooray and huzzah, the Pazz & Jop poll, calculated from the ballots of 700 critics around the globe, is up and running and ready for your perusal. Congratulations to Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, whose w h o k i l l walked away with the albums poll; and Adele, whose inescapable yet compelling even o ... More >>

Scientology Effervescence: Commenters of the Week!

​Here in the underground bunker, this was something of a strange week. While enduring a middling but annoying cold, we tried to get back in the swing of things after a week out of town. And while things started a bit slow, by Friday this had turned into one slammin' sevenday. Things kicked of ... More >>

This Week in the Voice: Tracking Down the City's Moonshiners

​This week in the Voice, Lauren Shockey tracks down the moonshiners of New York City so she can sample their wares. After she sips moonshine with Lance, a young college professor in Brooklyn who makes shine in his spare time, Shockey explores the trend that moonshining has become in recent yea ... More >>

This Week In The Voice: Mata and Moreno's Other Incident

​This week in the Voice, Graham Rayman brings light to another case involving Kenneth Moreno, Franklin Mata, and a young, intoxicated woman. Just a few months before the alleged rape for which they were acquitted, the two were accused of being verbally abusive to a woman, refusing to take her ... More >>

Open Letter to Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr.: We Hope You Live a Long, Happy Life

​ Dear Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr.: I have read your open letter addressed to "The Editors of the Village Voice." As you noticed, in a recent update to this blog by Steven Thrasher on how irrelevant you are becoming in New York's inexorable move to making marriage equality a reality in this ... More >>

"Ooh La La"

​I know, I know. I should be out of here already. But since I'm already on this terrible, indulged roll, one more very, very important piece of business:

Did Michael Wolff Set This Media Panel on Fire?

​We recently reported on I WANT MEDIA's Media Person of the Year discussion at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Institute of Journalism that took place earlier today, which ended with the building being evacuated by New York's Bravest, the good people of FDNY. But what's wrong with the picture we saw wh ... More >>

NY Primaries 2010: The Runnin' Scared Liveblog

​Ah, New York City! It's the day to vote in the election you know about and think you're going to vote in but might not, one in which the most suspenseful race of the day involves whether or not you actually care enough to get out there and pull the lever. We're going to be liveblogging and up ... More >>

MEMO TO FREELANCERS: SORRY, THEM'S THE BREAKS.

Incidentally, this guy is owed money by BlackBook, too. Probably.​It's been an interesting week or two for freelance writers! Our editor-in-chief, Tony Ortega, dished some excellent advice on how not to pitch him! Meanwhile, writer Richard Morgan wrote for The Awl about what it's been like to ... More >>

This Blog Is The Shit: Runnin' Scared Takes Home 2010 Alt Weekly Award

Pictured: Village Voice editor Tony Ortega hoists Runnin' Scared's Atl-Weekly Award, flanked by staff.​Not that you didn't already know, dear reader, but as the young people would say, "game recognize game," because we have just been officially told we are what the young people would call ... More >>

Poll Results: Do You Care About the New York Times/Wall Street Journal Newspaper War?

​It's been a week since the Wall Street Journal launched their much-ballyhooed and long-awaited Greater New York metropolitan section. How is it? Who cares! You always knew it was going to start out as The New York Post for People Too Rich To Be Caught With A Copy Of The New York Post, and wow ... More >>

Journalists of Color: Want to Work for the Voice?

​The Voice is now taking applications for the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, fall edition.This is a three-month, paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full time position. Mary Wright fellows work like staff writers, reporting and writing on a daily basis for our news blog while looking for possi ... More >>

Cheek, in Review: 7 Days of Runnin' Scared

​ Twitpic by iamawizard. The week started with an underwear run and went downhill from there. President Obama's Supreme Court pick, Sonia Sotomayor, rocked the Judiciary Committee. He felt so good about that he released unexpected stimulus money for New York cops, and announced Medal of ... More >>

Tuesday's Headlines: Obama tries to block AIG bonuses

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Tuesday New York headlines...Obama urges Geithner to block AIG bonuses any way he can.Sagging economy means fewer boob jobs!East River bridge tolls die in the state senate. MTA rescue compromise still being worked out."I looked down and there was an a ... More >>

Monday's Headlines: Times plays catch-up on our Rikers Fight Club story

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Monday New York headlines...Times catching up on the Rikers Fight Club story that the Voice's Graham Rayman has been reporting for nearly two years.More AIG drama: Bailout money went to foreign firms and other big banks that AIG owed in derivative gam ... More >>

Sunday's Headlines: AIG plans $165 million in bonuses after $170 billion bailout!

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Sunday New York headlines...Greed 101: After $170 billion bailout, AIG planning to hand out $165 million in bonuses to its senior employees!Greed 201: NYC landlords prepare to fight the city's contention that they've been double-dipping, claiming a ta ... More >>

Saturday's Headlines: Bernie doesn't like jail, attorneys ask for release until sentencing

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Saturday New York headlines...After one night in the slammer, Madoff's attorneys ask that he be released from jail while awaiting sentencing.Don't feel too sorry for Bernie's victims: many were financial dumbasses.The Jellyfish Solution: Some out-of-w ... More >>

Friday's Headlines: With Bernie in jail, focus moves to his wife, family

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Friday New York headlines...Madoff expresses regret as he pleads guilty and goes to jail; his aim is to shield rest of family....but his wife Ruth may have to pack her bags as the feds go after Madoff properties."Don't be evil," is Google's motto; Dai ... More >>

Thursday's Headlines: Catholic Church fights Albany to protect Pedo-Priests

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Thursday New York headlines...Legislature wants to life statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits: Catholic Church objects, saying bill intended to bankrupt it.Daily News shows odd bit of sympathy for monster Madoff: may have spent "his last ... More >>

Wednesday's Headlines: Madoff swindle as much as $65 billion; faces 150 years in prison

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Wednesday New York headlines...Madoff theft total up to $65 billion; faces up to 150 years in prison when he pleads guilty tomorrow....and his wife is now target of probe for her role.Paterson may compromise on Rockefeller drug law revision; throwing ... More >>

Tuesday's Headlines: Supreme Court blows away Bloomie's gun lawsuit

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Tuesday New York headlines...Supreme Court sides with gunmakers by not hearing NY suit that claimed makers were liable for flood of illicit firearms.Daily News: Carrión's house renovation done by architect who needed the borough president's approval ... More >>

Monday's Headlines: Corrupt ex-cop suspected of killing girlfriend, wounding another

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Monday New York headlines...Ex-police officer fired for corruption is suspected of killing his Brooklyn girlfriend, wounding another yesterday.Brooklyn teenager, 17, chases troublemakers from a party, drops dead of a heart attack.Father picks up Pace ... More >>

Sunday's Headlines: Obama tells the Times he wants outreach with Taliban

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Sunday New York headlines...Times interview with Obama: He considers reaching out to the Taliban.That little 14-year old mini-Limbaugh from Atlanta is even more annoying than you thought."Mob cops" finally put away for good, but they leave the city $1 ... More >>

Saturday's Headlines: Madoff to plead guilty on Thursday

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Saturday New York headlines... Madoff to plead guilty on Thursday. Court struggling with how to keep so many victims informed of proceedings.Dwyer: Two "mafia cops" continue to draw pensions even after life sentences upheld.Bloomberg doesn't like the ... More >>

Friday's Headlines: Paterson enrages enviros with state backtrack on power plant emissions

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Friday New York headlines...Paterson enrages enviros by going back on NY promise to crack down on power plant emissions.After hubbub, Gandhi items sell for $1.8 million in auction.Landmark law giving mayor control of schools coming up for renewal; cha ... More >>

Thursday's Headlines: Assembly knocks down Rockefeller drug laws, Senate next

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Thursday New York headlines...State Assembly finally sweeps away Rockefeller drug laws; now it's the Senate's turn.With Manhattan rents falling, could Wal-Mart be far behind? The retailer looks at Union Square, Chelsea.Prosecutor begins taking apart t ... More >>

Wednesday's Headlines: Paterson's Approval Numbers Dismal

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Wednesday New York headlines...Paterson's approval rating falls to 26 percent -- even lower than Spitzer at the end.Post claims that cop now says his partner did rape intoxicated woman in East Village, no longer agrees it was 'consensual.'Murdered den ... More >>

Tuesday's Headlines: Ruth Madoff fighting Bernie's victims for 'her' $62 million

[HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart Asset]Your Tuesday New York headlines...Ruth Madoff fights her husband's victims to keep their hands off $62 million she stashed away.Ex-Islanders owners accused of mini-Madoff scheme, stealing $554 million, whine to judge they'll starve if assets are frozen.Rap ... More >>

Monday's Headlines: Mob rat fingers two cops in gang slaying

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Monday New York headlines...Gotti mob rat Alite fingers a Suffolk County cop, NYPD detective in gang murder.Carrión goes to Washington after a mixed record in the Bronx.Weiner directs fed funds to a Brooklyn nonprofit that's given him $160,000 in campa ... More >>

Sunday's Headlines: Hate-Crime Suspect Claims Self-Defense

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Sunday New York headlines...Hate-crime suspect Keith Phoenix claims self-defense in murder of Ecuadoran immigrant, his lawyer says victim kicked the door of Phoenix's van, reached for (nonexistent) weapon.Long-reviled Rockefeller drug laws swiftly being ... More >>

Friday's Headlines: Piven Won't Be Punished for Fishy Story

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Friday New York headlines...Fishy outcome: Actors' union buys Jeremy Piven's sob story, won't penalize him for ditching play over 'mercury poisoning.'U.S. to buy up to 40 percent stake in Citigroup, just keeping it private, in desperate move to keep it ... More >>

Thursday's Headlines: City Relying on Crane Safety from Instructor Who Admitted Mob Ties

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Thursday New York headlines...Revelation in wake of last year's crane deaths: Union official who is teaching crane safety to prevent future accidents admitted in 2003 that he helped mobsters and other unqualified people (including strippers) get into hi ... More >>

Wednesday's Headlines: Murdoch's Apology Not Enough, Says Sharpton (Also: Index to This Week's 'Voice')

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Wednesday New York headlines...Sharpton not satisfied with Murdoch's apology over chimp cartoon. Will continue to call for a boycott, and meeting with FCC officials about Murdoch's waiver allowing him to own multiple papers and TV stations in one market ... More >>

Tuesday's Headlines: Murdoch Apologizes for Chimp Cartoon

HARKAVY is now blogging at The Smart AssetYour Tuesday New York headlines...Murdoch apologizes for chimp cartoon: "We made a mistake." Says after talking to editors, "we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community."The Times continues its white panic over tough times: 1. New Y ... More >>

C'mon, Flight of the Conchords, There's Still Time to Salvage This

The highlight of the new Flight of the Conchords season thus far, provided above, is a song about their testicles, i.e. "Sugar Lumps," which is both the good and the bad news. (The Voice food brigade is enraptured with this clip as well.) I will admit to liking this a lot more than I feel that I ... More >>

Join Us: The Mary Wright Minority Fellowship

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Letters 7.16.08

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

The Weinstein Files: The Smoking Gun Notes that 'Nicole Kidman Got Trashed'

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Letters

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Letters

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Letters

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Hate Us or Love Us

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

A Double-Shot of 'Hate Us or Love Us'

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

Tony Ortega Named Village Voice Editor

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

More on the 'Voice' Editor Change

Calling all young journalists of color...The Voice is now accepting applications for the spring edition of the Mary Wright Minority Fellowship, which will run from approximately February 23 to May 22.This is a three-month paid fellowship ($500/week), and is a full-time position. Mary Wright fellows ... More >>

The Haze Over 43rd Street

Will the New York Times ever own up to the failures of its early ground zero health coverage?