Top Five Gossip Blogs

Thanks to the Internet, news now travels at the speed of light. Earthquake in Sri Lanka at 12:05? By 12:10, you'll be sure to find stories of the tragedy online, along with photographs that will make you feel as if you were right there when it happened.

This principle also holds true for celebrity gossip. Once upon a time , gossip junkies were limited to weekly updates on the rich and famous, delivered by the likes of magazines like Star and The National Enquirer. These days, the picture has changed. Those eager for celebrity news can slake their thirst by going online to a gossip blog, where they will find daily - sometimes hourly - updates, and candid, often uncensored paparazzi photos to add visual interest.

There are lots of gossip blogs out there, and their numbers keep growing. Which ones are the best? Here are my picks:

Gossip Blog:D-Listed
Background: Founded and written by Michael K, this gossip blog made its debut in early 2005. The blogoshere hasn't been the same since.
Strengths: Posts are funny as hell, lots of candid pics, frequent updates, and the "Would You Hit It?" section, which features unflattering photos of celebrities tagged with the caption "Would You Hit It?"
Weaknesses: Sometimes a bit thin on actual news and celebrity gossip.

Gossip Blog:Defamer
Background: Edited by Mark Lysanti, the sharp-as-a-razor L.A.-based gossip blog covers both celebrities and the entertainment industry.
Strengths: Frequent updates, eschews the lowbrow in favor of real wit, lots of coverage on those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, offers info on concerts and events in the Los Angeles area.
Weaknesses: Eschews the lowbrow in favor of real wit, lots of coverage on those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Gossip Blog:Concrete Loop
Background: Created by Angel La, this gossip blog offers coverage of urban stars and wanna-bes.
Strengths: Posts often take a nice, supportive stance instead of going for the low blow and the cheap shot, lots of candids and gossip on celebrities who don't get too much coverage in mainstream outlets, "New Music Review" section reviews upcoming music and offers links to shared files so you can download the tracks yourself.
Weaknesses: Sometimes humor is sacrificed for the sake of being nice and supportive.

Gossip Blog:Crunk and Disorderly
Background: Run by Fresh, this gossip blog also covers the urban entertainment scene, but offers a decidedly more savage take than its sister, Concrete Loop.
Strengths: Posts crackle with savage humor, frequent updates, lots of candids and gossip on stars who don't get too much coverage in mainstream outlets, comments in the 'Feedback" section are often as funny as the posts themselves.
Weaknesses: Sometimes the tone gets so mean, you feel the need to take a shower.

Gossip Blog: OMG Blog
Background: Shepherded by its creator, Frank, this gossip blog offers news and views from an amusingly gay perspective. Posts sometimes include pics of nude or near-nude male celebs, so this one is not for the prudish.
Strengths: Posts are hilarious, coverage includes not just celebrity gossip, but areas like politics as well.
Weaknesses: Light on actual celebrity gossip, posts are sometimes infrequent.