Critic and editor Matt Zoller Seitz has written a very thoughtful piece over at Salon about the end of Kodachrome development for print photographs. Bottom line: if you want to get that last roll developed in the rich, deep, and sometimes mysterious colors of the fabled Kodachrome recipe, you’ve got to act now. Right now. Otherwise, we’re kissing goodbye to one of the more long-standing and beloved aspects of the “analog” world. Remember the 1984 portrait of Sharbat Gula, the “Afghan Girl” of National Geographic fame? That was Kodachrome. But you’ll never see that texture again. Oh well. Digital is just as good. right?

While shoppers at Bergdorfs and Saks might still be spiriting their purchases out the door in Medium Brown Bags, new reports on the status of the luxury-goods industry show that they’re buying as much—if not more—than ever. According to profits from two of the leading conglomerate corporations in the business. While the economy may still be finding its footing with regard to financial stability, luxury's profits so far this year are staggering. "LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world’s largest maker of luxury goods, reported first-half profits that beat analysts’ estimates as sales of fashion and leather goods accelerated in the second quarter," says Business Week. The monolith, which includes Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy among other luxury brands, is reporting a whopping 53% (or $1.36 billion) increase in returns thus far in 2010. And, while shoppers in fashion capitals across the globe helped thwart the increase in profits, China is the leading catalyst for such a drastic post-recession success story. "On a local currency basis, sales gained 18 percent in the U.S., 21 percent in Asia, and 11 percent in Europe," the company said at a press conference.

● Ellen will no longer be a judge on Idol, with Jennifer Lopez likely stepping in to replace her. American Idol: now with way more Marc Anthony. [HuffPo]
● Also, out at Idol is Kara DioGuardi, who was fired because after a full year no one is any closer to having any idea who she is. [TMZ]
● George Clooney's model girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis allegedly did cocaine in a Milan nightclub, now under investigation. The real story would be if she didn't. [Radar]

In Dinner for Schmucks, the fairly lighthearted comedy starring Paul Rudd and Steve Carell, there are a few scenes of utter terror. They involve a jilted lover named Darla, a bundle of twisted romantic rage embodied with psychotic glee by newcomer Lucy Punch. In a film that features supporting turns from the likes of Zach Galifiankis and Jemaine Clement, the 32-year-old British actress stands out above the rest, joining Glenn Close and Sandra Bernhard as one of the all-time great cinematic stalkers. For Punch, this is just the beginning. Her next role as an escort in Woody Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, is a part that was originally filled by Nicole Kidman. After that, she'll star opposite Cameron Diaz in the raunchy comedy Bad Teacher. So yeah, things are going pretty well for Ms. Punch. We caught up with the bubbly actress on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel to discuss her surging career, replacing Nicole Kidman, and playing the quirky best friend.

So, maybe Batali and Babbo partner Joseph Bastianich didn't pay their employees. We'll have to see what happens with the lawsuit. Nonetheless, in an interview with SlashFood, Batali told Allen Salkin all his deepest, darkest secrets. Well, not really, but at least he announced another delay in opening the Flatiron food complex, Eataly.

For such a youngster, Sasha Grey has already had a long, storied career in the porn industry. We've chronicled it here, here, here, and here. But she's never been shy about her dreams of crossover success (while still maintaining her love for the adult industry). We're not talking about the kind of crossover success achieved by someone like Jenna Jameson (autobiography, owning your own adult entertainment company, etc.). Grey wanted to be a movie star, like her idol, French New Wave starlet Anna Karina. Getting cast in the lead of the 2009 Steven Soderbergh call girl movie The Girlfriend Experience was certainly a good start. Guesting on this season of Entourage as Vincent Chase's love interest is not a bad follow-up. But both those roles exploit Grey's sexual aura. How could she ever be considered a "serious actress" if we keep getting reminded she used to fuck for a living?

There's something about staying on the Bund that strips away the allure of a true Shanghai experience. Sure, the Bund is one of the major attractions in the city (if not the most popular), so it's almost ideal to book rooms here, but that's exactly what all the other Westerners are doing. Deciding I didn't want to be grouped into a tourist hot zone, I opted to be amongst the locals at the Langham Yangtze hotel.

Two new denim lines will be soon be premiering at Brooks Brothers and Target thanks to collaborations with Levi's and Justin Timberlake's William Rast label. Levi's is bringing classic jean styles to both Brooks Brothers standalone-stores as well as its e-commerce site. "Co-branded as Levi Strauss for Brooks Brothers, the $148 designs come in three fits and six washes for men, with all product made in the U.S.," says Women's Wear Daily. Each of the styles fit into a classic aesthetic category (read: don't expect any heavy washing or distressing here). The denim line sells for about $50 more than Brooks Brothers other in house jeans collection, but (at least in terms of sales angles), it has the advantage of being U.S.-made.

In a twist that no one could have predicted, William Shatner thinks that swearing is no big deal. The Shats is currently set to star in CBS's adaptation of the twitter feed Shit My Dad Says, but the show has been plagued by network hand-wringing about what exactly its title should be. Stuff My Dad Says? $#*! My Dad Says? Bleep My Dad Says? Americans have values, after all! After much spirited debate, the network has settled on a title, and Shatner is none too pleased.

Mario Tolentino swept into Juliet supperclub after the departure of mega chef Todd English, and took care of some housekeeping around the joint. Now known as Juliet Kitchen and Grill, Tolentino's serving a finger-food heavy menu inspired by international street food, and based on clever things he learned while traveling the globe over the years. The San Francisco native was a season winner on The Food Network's show, Chopped, and spent time in the kitchen at Aqua in San Francisco. More on the apple of Juliet's eye after the jump.