Bitchslaps Are Back...

...although, when did they ever go out of style? News that rabblerousing book critic Dale Peck was smacked by Stanley Crouch, who had been Peck'd earlier, outside of precious West Village eatery Tartine is just the latest in adults forgetting the playground adage, "Stick and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me." [Gawker reported the incident, as editor Choire Sicha shares a "shitty East Village rabbit warren with Dale Peck" with Peck.] New York magazine's Vanessa Grigoriadis revealed more of the wackiness behind the other big would-be smackdown of late - the Ian Spiegelman-Douglas Dechert dustup that cost Spiegelman his job. Gawker (everywhere, we tell you) had the full text of the email Spiegelman sent Dechert:

Mention my name anywhere, ever, again, and we're going to find out two things: First, whose word means anything anymore in this town. Second, how many times I can slam my fist into your face before someone pulls me off you.

Move over, Norman Mailer! Gothamist thinks that an underground literary-media-gossip underground Fight Club (for men and women) needs to be started to shake the tension out. And for that matter, why not start one for the blog world - it's all about the freaks (us) and the playa hating.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on July 13, 2004 4:59 PM

Comments [rss]

Tim N.

That's true, Max. Stabbed her with a penknife, 1962, I believe. Not one of his finer moments.

And Sterling... I believe that! :>)

norman

did dale slap back? oh for his dignity i hope he did. otherwise the picture i have of him gaping at his lunch date and then complaining is just too sad to take...

Uncle Grambo

hey Tigger, loved your work on "Winnie The Pooh", but you gotta help me out with the definition of "glove slap"? thanks, I'm just a naive Midwesterner.

and if we're talking Blogger Fight Club, I wanna see Jen Gothamist and Lizzie Spiers jello wrestle! HOLLA!

jake

the worst part is that after you read the NY article, you sort of feel like spiegelman was in the right- the other guy was a total douche.

max

mailer's ex wife was my former neighbor and she told me he stabbed her.

Turkishjade

I couldn't help it.... Hot 97 Radio contest to win tickets. Click on any of the exclusives...

http://www.hot97.com/music/exclusives.aspx

What goes on in Fight Club, stays in Fight Club...???!!!!???

Sterling

Spiegelman got fired for that? I've written nastier Christmas cards.

Ron Mwangaguhunga

First rule of Blogger Fight Club: we do not talk of Blogger Fight Club.

Tigger

Blogger "Fight Club"? I give Uncle Grambo a "glove slap" and demand satisfaction!

Tim N.

Norman could take any of them. There'd be blood on the floor by now!

jake

the best part of the email, of course, is this: "I just want you to know who you picked a problem with, pussy. You picked a fight with someone who doesn't sleep until he's paid it back, you limp little woman. Now you wait for it, Best, Ian"

that "Now you wait for it" is amazing! Choire said he was drunk when he wrote it, but it sounds like pure poetry to me.