Except for bagels, public transportation, and watchable "Law & Order", we here in Los Angeles can do anything that our gigantic rival city on the East Coast can do. Including, it seems, gigantic Ponzi schemes. Meet Ezri Namvar, the "Bernie Madoff of Beverly Hills," whose conviction on fraud charges, house arrest, and subsequent overall fall from grace have all pretty much guaranteed that his kids aren't going to be selected for Ryan Seacrest's Persian "Jersey Shore". Way to go, dad. More»

Never thought I'd say this but I think I owe Ryan Seacrest a big thank you and maybe a fruit basket. It's been over a year since we first reported a reality show in the works that would focus on L.A.'s young, affluent Persians and we'd nearly forgotten all about this precious gem until news broke yesterday that Seacrest pulled through in a huge way for us as he's teamed up with Bravo to develop the tentatively titled "Shahs of Sunset". The name alone (cross your fingers it sticks!) makes us smile. More»

[Photo via] Get ready for your weekly dose of the booze-infused, grammatically challenged, bedazzeled gang that left America hungry for more because "Jersey Shore" is finally back tomorrow night with a new season! It's about time MTV hit us with it, we were starting to experience Ed Hardy and pouf withdrawal. But while we spent the last six months salivating for the new season, the guidos and guidettes were busy playing entrepreneurs and expanding their GTL empire. More»

No, we are not kidding this is actually happening. It was hard for us to believe as well, it just seemed way too good to be true. In the wake of "Jersey Shore" mania that swept the nation, MTV producers are not wasting a single second on that money train and are in the process of developing several spin-offs. More»

Just when we were getting ready to book a bus ticket to Seaside Heights and check out Karma for ourselves, the new club Provocateur came to the Meatpacking District last night. Can Snooki, JWoww and The Situation be far behind? More»

• Foreign Travel Tips! [Gawker]

• Just because you've attempted suicide, it doesn't mean you need a psychiatric evaluation. [ONTD]

• "Jersey Shore" wasn't the only thing ruining Jersey's reputation this week... [NYP]

• Is "Fela" the most dangerous show on Broadway? You judge... [NY Mag]

• Want to know what it's like being married to Shaq? [Feed]