Just FYI, in case you were thinking of taking out a second mortgage: whatever you do, do not take out a second mortgage. A new report says that nearly 40% of people who took out second mortgages are now "underwater," a fancy real estate term for "broker than broke.":

There was a time when Wal-Mart thought it could compete with Target. Ha. What a mistake that was. It's not the faux-yuppie Target shoppers Wal-Mart wants now; it's the dollar store shoppers. Welcome to America the Poor.

Chris Brown has words for Oprah, Susan Boyle's songs are beating Whitney and Russell Crowe wants to beat a gossip columnist. Oh, yes, it's your Friday morning Gossip Roundup.

Bidding on Dan Lacey's one-of-a-kind Pancake Head Nick Denton painting has reached $300, thanks to interest from current and former employees. Remember: the Keith Gessen remix book went for $890. Six days left, people. [Previously]