Celebrity collective takes to the blogosphere

On May 9, ex-governor candidate Arianna Huffington will launch the Huffington Post: a group blog wherein 250 of "the most creative minds" in the country will come together to write about politics, entertainment, sports and religion, amidst a wide spectrum of subject matter. It will be a "nonstop virtual talk show," reports The New York Times, adding that breaking news would be served around the clock alongside the spectacle.

CBS one-time household name Walter Cronkite has signed up to contribute, saying "I thought I'd have some fun." Others lined up to blog are David Mamet, Nora Ephron, Warren Beatty, James Fallows, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Maggie Gyllenhaal, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Diane Keaton, Norman Mailer and Mortimer B. Zuckerman.

The site is, in part, a direct challenge to the right-leaning Drudge Report, given that it will probably start out as a "watering hole for liberals." While proponent Matt Drudge said he was "excited" for Huffington, he suspects that "hollywood players will find it harder to maintain a compelling webspot" than to open big at the box office. Along this same train of thought runs pressthink.org blogkeeper Jay Rosen, who "doubted that celebrities would be driven by the same passion that drives many regular bloggers."