· Ben Affleck says America didn't want him to be with J. Lo because of issues of "race and class." When did Affleck start talking like he'd been molested by Yale professor Harold Bloom? [NYDN]
· Related: Affleck is on a serious Harvey Weinstein ass-kissing rampage after trashing Harv in the tell-all Biskind book. [NYP]
· Irony at work: Nicole Richie tells wicked stepmother Diane to get a job. [NYP]
· Apprentice women turn down quarter-mil from Playboy but happily tear off most of their clothes for free in the much-classier FHM. [NYP]
· Australians are desperate for now-boring Russell Crowe to start behaving badly again; also, Chris Noth is pro-butt (his own). [E!]
· "Jay-Z and Beyonce appear to have split. The rapper must be dreading the reappearance of the tired old "Gay-Z" rumours." [Popbitch]