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This article presents the author's views on gossip columnists. The syndicated gossip columnists of the current American press have the problem of finding interesting people for their column according to the author. Their solutions are the matter of this survey. It is only fair to point out that Molière and Proust were not bound by some of the limitations imposed on the gossip columnist. A daily column of gossip is impossible for one human being to produce; but it is easy to compose it from the mail. Thus the columnist, by and large, must accept a cast of characters given him by companies and restaurants who hire press agents.

Relates the author's experiences as a gossip columnist with the Washington D.C. newspaper "Washington Times" which is financed by the Moonies. Start of the paper in 1982 as a conservative paper; Work of Arnaud de Borchgrave as editor in chief; Hiring of writer John Podhoretz; Replacement of de Borchgrave by Wes Pruden; Statements by Moonie leader Sun Myung Moon during one dinner.

The article discusses the evolution of gossip columns in newspapers, particularly its decline or outright elimination. Other topics include the experiences of journalists like Susan Yerkes and Ed Tijerina in writing gossip news, the introduction of food columns as gossip replacement, as well as some examples of early gossip columns like that of Walter Winchell in the early 1900s.

An interview with Liz Smith, the grande dame in the golden age of gossip, is presented. Asked if she has stories she considers triumphs, Smith says the stories of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were real triumphs. She explains that because of Taylor and Burton she was able to accompany them to Paris, Rome, New York and Hollywood. Smith revealed that she was with Richard Burton for the last interview he gave. She says there was always something to write about Taylor and Burton.

The article profiles Perez Hilton, a television personality and blogger who posts gossip items about celebrities. He was born as Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. and grew up in Miami, Florida. His PerezHilton.com is considered as Hollywood's most-hated celebrity-gossip website. He has a son from a surrogate mother. He is banned from the Chataeau Marmont because the management claimed that his presence is not welcomed by the hotel's celebrity clientele.

The article focuses on Canadian television personality, reporter, and blogger Elaine Lui. Lui launched her Lainey Gossip blog in 2005, which devour analytical posts about the Hollywood industry. It is inferred that Lui's blog draws more than 1 million monthly subscribers and has an audience in Hollywood, which helped her establish a stable of sources that help her scoop gossips. It highlights Lui's daily talk show, "The Social," to be launched in fall 2013.

The article discusses the increase in stature and importance of gossip columnists in Australia. The well-known gossip columnists in the country include Ros Reines of "The Sunday Telegraph," Andrew Hornery of "The Sydney Morning Herald" and Jo Casamento of "The Sun-Herald." According to the author, these columnists are often feared by celebrities but they are also being sought after for the sake of publicity. Each columnists' gossip rule and major secrets revealed are detailed.

The article profiles Perez Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, a gay blogger who discusses celebrity gossip on his web site PerezHilton.com. The article discusses his blogging style, what offends him the most, and his past jobs, such as an employee for the gay periodical "Instinct." Additional topics include the occupational mobility of Hilton, his views on achieving success, whether he regrets anything he wrote, his views on gay screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and the controversy he creates through his words.

The article offers information about New York City gossip columnist Liz Smith. Stories Smith has covered include the divorce of Donald and Ivana Trump and repeated interviews with Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Smith's views on what constitutes glamorous society are described. Celebrities she places at the apex of 21st century fashion include "American Vogue" editor Anna Wintour, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, and popular musician Madonna.

This article looks back at the work of Marcus Valerius Martialis as a gossip columnist during the Roman Empire. According to the author, Martialis made a living off the absurdities and vices of his own society by mocking them. He recounts that Martialis was a complicitous critic, half enjoying what he sneered at, mixing entertainment with revulsion. He also claims that Martialis was a reforming voyeur, a compromised Savonarola. In addition, the author explores the connection that Martialis might have with modern America.

This article reports on columnist Chris Rose of the "Times-Picayune" newspaper in New Orleans, Louisiana. A gossip columnist when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Rose's columns turned personal in the aftermath, reflecting the emotional distress of the city's traumatized residents. Rose's experiences documenting the disaster, his own descent into depression and substance abuse, and his path to recovery are all recounted. The reactions of readers and his editors to his angry writings are also discussed.

This article profiles Mark Lisanti, editor and sole writer of Defamer.com and considered as the most influential and intimidating gossip in Los Angeles, California, as of December 2005. The techniques of Lisanti in gathering gossip is different from other gossip writers. He just stays in his home office equipped with a Sony computer and an Ikea furniture. The Defamer has a large following, attracting nearly 1 million visitors in the first quarter of 2005.

Profiles gossip columnist Jeannette Walls. Family and career background; Description of her life in New York; Relationship with her parents.

Details the scandal surrounding author Abigail Vona and public relations executive W. Douglas Dechert. Reason why the romantic relationship between Vona and Dechert failed; Method used by Dechert to take revenge on Vona; Gossip columnists involved in the scandal.

Features Victoria Gotti, novelist, gossip columnist and mother of three teenaged boys. Death of her gangster father from cancer in jail; Lifestyle and work with celebrities; Personal and educational history; Published works.

Focuses on the opening of the Broadway musical 'Sweet Smell of Success,' starring John Lithgow, and on gossip and publicity in the United States. Discussion of the power of Walter Winchell in the media during his career; Topic of gossip columnists, celebrity, and fame.

Interviews four gossip columnists from New York City. Changes in the gossip business; Limitations in the subjects to write about; Views on several celebrities; Professional ethics.

Profiles gossip columnist Liz Smith. Attitude towards questions about her bisexuality; Details on her autobiography `Natural Blonde'; Career background.

Reports on the life and death of Howard Rushmore, editor and chief writer of the United States 1950s scandal magazine `Confidential.' Early career in writing; Rushmore's work as an anti-Communist spy; Marriage; Lawsuits against `Confidential'; Writing of scandals involving movie stars; Career after the `Confidential' period; Rushmore's suicide in 1958.

Looks at the work of celebrity scandal publications in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Calling of scandal writers as rag writers; Comparison of the scandal-rag family in the 1950s to the dysfunctional family in the 1990s; Rag writers' focus on minor actors and marginal Hollywood characters; Reasons for the continued popularity and growth of tabloid sheets.

Presents information on an interview on gossip columnists Maxine Mesinger of the `Houston Chronicle,' Alan Peppard of the `Dallas Morning News,' Susan Yerkes of the `San Antonio Express-News,' and Michael Corcoran of the `Austin American-Statesman.' What they call themselves; Their opinion on revealing the names of the subjects of the columns; Where they get their items.

Focuses on gossip columnists of several magazines. Includes Richard Johnson of the `New York Post's page six column; Liz Smith of the `New York Newsday'; George Rush of the `Daily News'; Michael Fleming of the `Variety's Buzz column; Jeannie Williams of the `USA Today; Michael Musto of the `The Village Voice' magazine's La Dolce Musto. INSET: Kiss, kiss--Noel coward, by J.S..

The author recounts the conflict which transpired between New York-based press agent Sy Presten and New York-based gossip columnist Cindy Adams regarding a gossip column about syndicated columnist Barbara Corcoran. Topics discussed include the reputation of Presten and Adams in the gossip business, the reason for Adam's disappointment with Presten concerning gossip tips, and the gossip item which appeared in the "New York Post" about Corcoran.

The article offers information on the success of journalist Leonard Lyons in the U.S. It states that Lyons has been known to be the most cheerful and most benign columnist for 40 years, who can easily chat with a cast of public people, royalty and burlesque comics. In addition, the refusal of Lyons to deal with scandal has earned him the trust of the famous people. It notes that Lyons has been granted to conduct an exclusive interview with George Bernard Shaw during Shaw's 90th birthday and has been phoned by Ernest Hemingway's wife about her husband's death.