Jun 30, 2009
AMPAS shifts to ten Best Picture nominees, inviting discord over whether they've ever gotten five right. (A rant familiar to devoted readers.) Foote's conclusions are debatable (Shrek? Madison County?), but then that's the point, isn't it?—JS
A slightly hysterical overview of parallax in the TV depiction of baseball pitching: more accurate vs. easier to watch.—JS
Sometimes a person just needs a little reminder of what behavior is socially acceptable and what is not.—JS
Okay, admittedly this isn't nearly as funny on the page, but as you read it, just replay your memory of the sketch in your head. (Or, if you've never seen it, imagine something very funny.)—JS
Jun 29, 2009
"Politicians will, almost by definition, be deeply weird." It seems to me that I remember Jerry Seinfeld doing a routine along these lines once, too. And, if you think about it, if any of your buddies pulled you aside one day and said "I've decided that I'm honestly and seriously going to try to become the President of America," you'd think he'd gone completely nuts. And yet, every four (or eight) years, one guy does it.—JM
A bit of classic PoopReading from 2000: a profile of Simpsons writer George Meyer, one of the best profiles The New Yorker has ever done (and that's saying something).—BK
Infidelity may no longer be the political career-killer it once was.—BK
Jun 26, 2009
That is, besides just making it longer and more self-congratulatory.
This piece may go a bit easy on Michael, but it's a very thoughtful rumination on his life from someone who really, really tried to help him (and essentially predicted his fate).—JM
Without overstating the case, I can say that reading Bill Simmons' annual NBA Draft diary is one of the highlights of any true sports fan's year.—JM
A new album, a Tonight Show appearance, and a "world tour" – a quarter century later, the Tap lives on.—JS
An update on the quest to develop homegrown software code that can beat the Netflix movie recommendation system.—JS
A few election predictions make it a little dated, but overall a nice introduction to a fascinating topic.—JS
Jun 25, 2009
Sure, public figures should have private lives. But when those figures legislate from a stance of denying others' privacy, it's hard not to pile on.—JS
There's good old-fashioned schadenfreude, and then there's piling on just to do it.—JM
"Anything I give you would only be a placebo." "Where do we get these placebos!?"—JM
As a warning to the presumptive #1 selection in the upcoming NBA draft, Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers season ticket holder Bill Simmons breaks down the post-1976 history of the team that holds this year's top pick. It's as comprehensive as it is horrifying; that is to say: very.—JM
As with most successful people who didn't benefit from nepotism, John Grisham's rise to publishing super-stardom took talent, hard work and a decent amount of blind luck.—JM
Jun 24, 2009
A little something to pass the time as we wait for his new Comedy Central show Michael and Michael Have Issues (with PoopReading favorite Michael Ian Black) and the release of The State DVDs, two events that are apparently happening in the same glorious week in July.—BK
I've always tended to join the torch-wielding masses when it comes to Fehr, hating him for his part in the 1994 strike and the steroids problem in baseball. But you can always count on Joe Sheehan to play the contrarian to conventional wisdom, and that's why I love reading his stuff.—BK
Today's teens can't relate the alienated young protagonist of J.D. Salinger's classic novel, calling him "whiny," "immature," and "in need of Prozac." Couldn't the same things be said about the cast of The Hills?—BK
Jun 23, 2009
Well, duh. But Henry Fairlie said it all along, and his decades as a political essayist make for a revealing account of one conservative's deepening dissatisfaction with conservatism.—JS
One of the phone's latest tricks is already making for gritty suspense drama on the streets of Chicago.—JS
Or, essentially, "One Media Outlet's Extensive History of Whipping People into a Frenzy, Just to Do It."—JS
Jun 22, 2009
It's like they want us all to move to Arizona or Nevada.—JM
I've never been particularly interested in tennis, but I find Roger Federer's quest for all-time greatness compelling nonetheless. Maybe because your typical American sports fan seems to be ignoring it completely.—JM
He talks about a lot of things over the course of a long, rambling conversation, including putting an end date on 30 Rock.—BK
Seems to be an interview minus the questions, with all of Cera's answers provided with no context. So it's a bit of an odd duck, but still interesting.—BK
Jun 19, 2009
Up to, but not yet including, this list.
Most of what we know is how much we don't know, but it's still fascinating when we get a little new perspective (on both).—JS
"Movies used to be better!" Does saying that still make you sound like a codger if it's demonstrably true?—JS
This plods along with some intriguing observations about whether the true frontier is without or within... then the last paragraph of the footnote blew my mind!—JS
Jun 18, 2009
A book excerpt from Wertheim's tome about the epic 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Father's Day is coming up, you know...—JM
A 5,000-word piece taking bores to task... put that in your irony pipe and smoke it!—JM
A "comfort wipe" is basically a stick to help old and/or obese people wipe their butts.—JM
Jun 17, 2009
We here at PoopReading don't always agree on everything, but the title of this profile is definitely a sentiment we can all get behind.—BK
I've always had a soft spot for this little bit concocted by Dana Carvey and Robert Smigel, which apparently originated as a sketch in the unaired eighth episode of The Dana Carvey Show.—BK
That settles it; I'm going to start punching a lot more people.—BK
Pitch counts in baseball have evolved from a beneficial cautionary guideline to an overly simplified rule and a way for managers to avoid criticism in the press. Joe and Bill like how Nolan Ryan and the Rangers are trying to change that mindset, and I concur.—BK
Jun 16, 2009
Probably the funniest thing he's ever written – and I say that with full understanding of the force of that statement.—JS
Few can. But deliberately misinterpreting a joke in an attempt to get some publicity and generate a wedge issue isn't even trying.—JS
An in-depth history of cooking shows, fascinating whether you watch them or not. (I don't.)—JS
Jun 15, 2009
Bryce Harper, the 15-year-old phenom from Las Vegas who, among other things, once hit a 570-foot home run. (And no, this isn't another Sidd Finch fake out.)—BK
I've been re-watching Newhart courtesy of WGN, and it's been fun to be reminded what a hit Larry and the Darryls were, and how great Sanderson was in that role. And his modesty and graciousness in this interview just makes you want to root for him.—BK
Other than the odd talk show spot (like last Thursday's gangbusters appearance on Conan), Norm Macdonald fans really have to do some digging if they want to hear from him. But it's always worth it.—JM
Jun 12, 2009
Yet somehow "Potent Potables" still gets a free pass.
David Letterman isn't the only one who has some explaining to do.
An interview in The New Yorker with Bill Simmons on the NBA Finals and his upcoming book.—JM
The Palins know as well as you and I do that Dave was trying to make a joke about their adult daughter, not their adolescent one. They're just playing it up for the free publicity and fake indignation (and why not?). This piece is less about the Letterman/Palin "controversy" and more about the tolerance of misogyny by those on the left, who are supposed to "know better."—JM
I'm no Galifaniac, but his Comedians of Comedy performances were unique and daring (and funny) and I've never seen him in anything I didn't like him in. (Full disclosure: I have not seen Out Cold.)—JS
A whole lot of Twitter users try it once and decide it's not for them. (Or maybe they think it's a really short survey: "What are you doing?" "Answering this question." There, that's done!)—JS
Jun 11, 2009
On the eve of Brüno, a look at the comic style of his famously reserved creator, Sacha Baron Cohen.—JS
We all knew that Harry Truman was a feisty ex-haberdasher (right? Um... right?), but here are 12 others you probably weren't aware of...—JM
I just read this piece because I was curious to see if she'd mention Abdulhakim Muhammad (formerly Carlos Bledsoe), the American Muslim convert who shot and killed a US soldier outside an Army recruiting station in Little Rock last week. And guess what: she doesn't bring him up. Shocking, I know. Too bad, too, because ignoring him sort of undermines her argument, which isn't entirely without merit.—JM
If you're going to write a column based on a certain premise, I understand that you're going to cherry pick your evidence to support your theory (heck; that's my bread and butter). But don't just make stuff up! To wit: Liam Neeson was never "a solid B-list actor heading toward character roles and retirement;" he was going to play Abraham Lincoln for Steven Spielberg before Taken even opened. Pretty much everybody knew who Kevin James was before this January. And, the two most successful R-rated comedies in history can't possibly be Sex and the City and American Pie 2. I don't feel like looking it up, but, that can't be right.—JM
A book by Richard Wrangham, it is theorized that mankind really made the evolutionary leap once we started cooking our food. I don't know about you, but, I love stuff like this.—JM
Jun 10, 2009
A Jack Donaghy comp proves elusive, and that hurts the comic momentum a bit, but it's still a fun and interesting premise.—BK
Not the greatest interview, but us Steve-iacs will take our Steve wherever we can Steve it.—BK
Colbert steps in as Guest Editor this week, and while his stint is mostly serious, here he indulges himself in some fun.—BK
Jun 9, 2009
The "reality shows are destroying television" rant has been done to death. But when it makes me laugh as hard as this did, done-to-death is just fine.—JS
He's a character, and today his business is going gangbusters like you'd expect. (Normally I'd link to the printable, one-page version, but I find that picture of him so perfect. Yoink!)—JS
A site that makes lists for you! I can think of some guys who'd love that. This list balances the predictable with the insane, with details about ABC's Life on Mars that I'm amazed are not punishable by law.—JS
Part one in a series detailing the bankruptcy proceedings of a small business. These things never go the way you expect.—JS
Jun 8, 2009
Really, not to toot our own horn here, but if you like baseball, and you like movies, then I don't know why on earth you wouldn't want to read this.
(Blurb not written, as author has run out of his house to go purchase vast quantities of Sylvester Stallone's high-protein pudding.)—BK
Which is, of course, the best kind of Larry David encounter to have.—BK
Jun 5, 2009
Sometimes membership does not have its privileges.
If you're interested in reading on the subject, there are a thousand opinions out there, from insightful to loony. Kottke's collected the key phrases from several, for easy skimming or deeper reading as you desire.—JS
A pivotal clip from Downfall, with the subtitles adjusted, can say pretty much anything you want it to, with hilarious results.—JS
With solutions as easy as this, it's your own damn fault if you still have problems.—JS
Jun 4, 2009
I listened to Teresa Strasser almost daily for about three years on Adam Carolla's morning radio show, and grew quite fond of her. Alas, she married another. Now she's blogging about her pregnancy, which may be of interest to those of you who are pregnant, or have been pregnant. Or who once had a pregnant spouse, or relative, or friend. Or Mom.—JM
How do you make sure you have tons of great emails from prominent celebrities to answer in your preview of the NBA Finals, which start tonight? Simple; you make them up!—JM
To be sure, we here at PoopReading.com have a great deal of love for "Without a Trace," and were particularly sad to see it go. This article is less about "Without a Trace," though, than it is about every hour-long drama.—JM
Jun 3, 2009
My take on a column idea that originated more than a year ago. I am nothing if not timely.
Dipping back into the A.V. Club archives for a second opinion on one of my underappreciated favorites.—BK
Big surprise – some of the so-called "experts" that peddle advice on Oprah may not know what they're talking about.—BK
Dumb title. As Randy Johnson goes for the 300th win of his career, a look at how much pitching inside and hitting batters has helped him get there.—BK
Jun 2, 2009
Believe in Michael Moore or don't, but his passion on this issue is undeniable. (And he can sound loony and poetic at the same time, which is kind of cool.)—JS
Factoids and insider info on the popular anti-masturbation campaign.—JS
Halfway through your third decade on the planet? Sars has some advice for you, and it boils down to: grow up.—JS
Jun 1, 2009
Let's finish what we started, shall we?
Linda Holmes, one of my favorites, wants Pixar to make a movie about a girl. Who isn't a princess. As the father of daughters, I wouldn't mind if they did that myself.—JM
Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates once pitched twelve perfect innings... and then lost. Being a baseball geek, I've known that for years. This is an in-depth look at the game, suitable for those who know the story and those who don't.—JM
On top of this, Conan O'Brien gives the movie kudos in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. Everything's coming up marionette!—BK
The difficulties and rewards of attempting to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums in a single season.—BK
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