The recent staffing changes over at MTV Networks made us curious: What exactly is going on at everyone's favorite former home of music videos? A former Viacom staffer is on hand to answer our questions. After the jump, analysis and what's probably a little axe-grinding. Either way, it's not a pretty picture. Much like that shot of MTV Global Digital Media Whatever Mika Salmi. more »

We have no idea what any of this means, and we could probably care less, but it does include ousted Viacom CEO Tom Freston, former AOL head Bob Pittman, and, uh, Kate Spade, so, you know, we'll slap it up here. Also, it says "embargoed news," which is a pretty good way to get your press release up on Gawker. So it's something about Plum, "a new type of media company." Get the whole story after the jump. more »

We once again do that thing where we throw out something totally unconfirmed and let knowledgeable sources deny it. Anyway, a correspondent corresponds:

Viacom Holding Money Back to look good for Wall Street
Producers and talent are calling and complaining to MTV Networks about past due invoices. Ever since Tom Freston was ousted a few months back MTVN has tried to look healthy for Wall Street. With this in mind MTVN hasn't issued payments for 2 weeks and rumors are circulating that no payments will go out for the rest of the year. This might help MTVN look more successful at the end of a very difficult year (companies split and Freston fired). Employees have been told that if they tell those seeking payment that money is being held back that they will be fired.

Disgruntled contractors or Viacom flacks can reach us here. more »

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• Could Tom Freston replace NBC Chief Executive Bob Wright? We're hoping yes, because a) we still blame Jeff Zucker for Hidden Hills, and b) Freston-Moonves II will make Ali-Frazier II look like Tyson-McNeely. [NYP]
• There's nothing more painful than admitting that Mark Cuban is right, but, you know, Mark Cuban is right. [Reuters]
• The Post has a brand new website with spiffy features including blogs, gossip news, and a celebrity-sighting map that is a complete and total rip-off of Gawker Stalker. [NYP]
• Rachael Ray's friends as annoying, talentless as Rachael Ray. [Radar] more »

• Metro, the other free paper you avoid being handed as you walk into the subway, has fired EIC Mark Moore. [E&P;]
• Let's all take a moment to reflect on poor Sumner Redstone, whose $1.75 million Viacom salary has been cut to $1M. Of course, he also got a $3M stock option grant, which eases the sting a little. [NYP]
• What unnamed douchebag told Tom Freston "Oh my gosh - you are so brave to be doing this party! So many people must be asking you about being fired! Don't worry, you'll be fine! Good luck!"? Our money's on Stableford. [NYP] more »

• Hey, got a second? Good, take a seat. We've got some distressing news for you, so brace yourself: Kevin Federline's unforgettable first single, "PopoZ o," will not be included on his debut album. We don't understand it either. It's just too soon to see something so great die; sob... [Idolator]
• At a book party he hosted for Arianna Huffington, former Viacom CEO Tom Freston threw FishbowlNY blogger Dylan Stableford out of his apartment. Aw. Jim Kelly would NEVER do that! [FishbowlNY]
• GQ editor leaves in favor of being in charge of big boobs at Penthouse. [Radar]
• Speaking of Huffington: if there were only 24 hours before the End of the World, she would blog. Someone get this lady outside, please. [92Y]
• Meet Dethroner, the smart boy blog from Gawker Media alum Joel Johnson, formerly of Gizmodo and performer of other ass-saving duties around HQ. [Dethroner]
• If the boys at Maxim, who'd fuck a rotten cantaloupe if given the chance, find Nancy Grace "unboinkable," you know it's time to put the old gal down. [Maxim]
• The Upper East Side property blown to pieces by Dr. Nicholas Bartha Bartha will be selling for $8 million million. [NY Sun]
• Should Glamour dating blogger have text-sex with a stranger in Iceland? Or should she fuck one of the seventeen other dudes she's publicly playing? [See Alyssa Date]
• Hey, did you hear about blogs? They're good for business. Seriously, if we have to read one more article like this, we're going to smash in every newspaper editor's face with our laptops. [WSJ]
• Jessica Joffe's reign of terror for Banana Republic comes to an end, letting media freaks return to buying overpriced merino without having to see her flaming red hair at every turn. [WWD (2nd item)]

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• After an extended period of darkness, 4-year-old Suri Cruise finally reveals herself to the world as a beautiful Asian-American.
• Katie Couric sashays onto the CBS Evening News, and the world is amazed that vaginas can read.
• And in other kind-of-vagina news, Rosie O'Donnell assumed the position on The View.
• Paris Hilton gets cuffed and it's got nothing to do with a sex tape.
• Cuddly rapper 50 Cent trades in his shiny Lamborghini for a trip to central booking.
• Glamour asserts itself as the most absurdly omnipresent magazine out there with four Today show appearances and a sponsored helicopter service.
• Sumner Redstone cans former prez and CEO Tom Freston, but not without the employees giving a cuddly send-off first.

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Former president and CEO of Viacom Tom Freston has just left the office and, according the reader reports, it was the most emotional experience ever mandated by any evil corporation ever: more »

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Vacation's over, suckers, and Viacom grandaddy Sumner Redstone is up early and ready to roll. On the first day of school, he's rearranging the desks in his multimedia conglomerate schoolhouse and, just to make sure everyone knows he means business, class President and CEO Tom Freston has "resigned." On the bright side, employees will no longer have to fear Freston's blood-drawing, porcupine mane. more »