“TV only softens the brain, like a ripe banana.”
Alec Baldwin, “TV star,” for Hulu.
The Who2 Blog
2009: Phil Sees His Shadow
Six more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.Phil also slipped in a slightly clumsy promo for the local football team:”Hear Ye Hear YeOn Gobbler’s Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 2009 Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers…Proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time
How Fit is Rafael Nadal?
Fit enough to play a 5-hour, 14-minute match on Friday night, then a 4-hour, 23-minute match on Sunday night. Fit enough to do it in Australian summer heat. Fit enough to beat Roger Federer (again) and win the Australian Open for the first time.
Confusable Names
TV star Vanessa Minnillo and TV star Alyssa Milano.
Serena Williams Conquers Australia Again
Serena Williams has won her fourth Austalian Open title. She walloped Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3.
Which Is the Best Best Picture Ever?
Newsday is holding a vote. First they’re weeding it down decade by decade — then those winners, plus a few wildcards, go head to head for the title of Best Best Picture of All Time.Here were my votes:
What’s the First Thing You Do When You Fire a Governor?
Take down the tollway signs.
Oren Lavie’s Marvelous Video
“Her Morning Elegance,” by new-music hipster Oren Lavie. Nice!
Some (Presidents) Like It Hot
“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.? He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”Obama advisor David Axelrod on his boss’s Oval Office habits.
The Chronicles of John Updike
Author John Updike has died at age 76. (Of lung cancer, in a hospice in Massachusetts.)Obituary lede writers agree: Updike was all about the chronicles.
Who Should Play Rod Blagojevich?
In a TV movie, that is. The NY Daily News has suggestions.(Javier Bardem seems like a stretch.)Read our profile onRod Blagojevich for more details.
How Many People Does It Take to Deliver Octuplets?
46. (Plus the mother.) And she’s planning to breastfeed them all.[Update: Fertility experts are “rattled.”]
Sherlock Holmes Was Not Really a Cocaine Addict
When did the detective’s use of cocaine become more talked about than his violin playing?
250 Choruses of ‘Auld Lang Syne’
Robert Burns, beloved Scots poet, was born 250 years ago today.
Doll Trouble at the White House
First Lady Michelle Obama is not fond of the weird new dolls loosely based on first daughters Sasha and M
How Tall is Tom Cruise Really?
“At this premier Katie is wearing 2/2.5 heels. So if she is 5’9 as listed puts her over 5’11. Tom standing at 5’9.5 or a tad under. I think these shoes are giving him at most 2 inches, more likely 1.5, consistent with 5’8 and the barefoot pic with Katie.”That’s courtesy of CelebHeights.com, where footwear and photo angles are dissected with Zapruder-style intensity.
An Inside Peek at Air Force One
National Geographic does the honors.No photos, but still a cool look at the plane. Who knew the president’s suite was in the nose?
Broadcasting Benedict
“He may not be in with the local Emo cult, and you’re unlikely to see him hanging out at a skateboard park. But the Holy Father moved one step closer to cool today when he launched the Vatican’s own YouTube site on Google.” The Pope is on YouTube.
Playmobil Security Checkpoint for Kids
Yup, it’s a real product. The user comments really are priceless.Thank you Playmobil for allowing me to teach my 5-year-old the importance of recognizing what a failing bureaucracy in a ever growing fascist state looks like.This toy would be a lot more realistic with about 350 people standing in line for an average of an hour. I heard this also comes with tiny sets of latex gloves for the security guards!
Oscar Ennui for ABC?
Dark Knight wasn’t nominated. But…”Yes! The highbrow Holocaust film with lukewarm reviews is in the game!”Mark Caro says the Oscar nominees are bad news for the broadcaster.