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And the list continues...

<guilty pleasure alert> "Scare Tactics" on the Sci Fi channel - It's a horrible, terrible, manipulative, sinful show, where friends set up friends to be utterly terrified by fake serial killers, fake deaths, fake monsters, etc. In one episode, during a bachelor party, a hired stripper is "murdered" in the bathroom, and her killer pimp shows up to get revenge. Party-goers were crying with fear. After I watch the show, I have to take a shower, because I feel so dirty. And now that it's hosted by Stephen Baldwin, who has become a born-again Christian, which makes his participation in this tawdry business all the more hypocritical and hilarious, I feel even more dirty. -posted 1.19.05

iTunes - This is one of the greatest inventions in the history of the world. Through iTunes I've discovered Thea Gilmore – a British, folksy, punk superstar. And I also found an acoustic version of one of my favorite songs – Butch Walker's "Mixtape." Walker is amazing. He reminds me of Peter Himmelman, who is one of my all-time favorites. Himmelman writes the music for the TV show Judging Amy and has an underground folk rock career, but he should be one of the biggest stars in the world.

As for iTunes , I'm going to be posting mixes on my Web site soon, and then you can go to iTunes, find my iMixes, and buy them if you like. I just made one for my wife called "Hydrochepalics In Love," which features songs with brain or water in the title. And just so you folks don’t think I’m making fun of hydrocephalics, please be aware that I am a hydrocephalic, so I am mocking my large-craniumed self as I express my love for my spouse. Yes, I know, I’m so romantic. -posted 1.19.05

The Pacers vs. Pistons basketball game brawl - How much it revealed that this country still has a problem with racism. I've yet to see an article that mentions that 25 out of the 30 NBA players did not participate in this violence. And let's celebrate Fred Jones of the Pacers, who ran into the crowd to make peace, was grabbed and sucker punched and did not retaliate. I find it so ironic that our pundits can whine about the decline of American culture and the celebration of debauchery and violence without ever mentioning the fact that we are at war, and that maybe being at war might influence our behavior. But my bleeding-heart pacifism was mocked when I ran across this column by ESPN.com’s Ric Bucher, in which Jones expresses his regrets at not participating in the fight. To fight or not to fight? Does Fred Jones contradict himself? Of course, he does. Fred Jones contains multitudes. -posted 1.19.05

The Graham Norton Effect on Comedy Central - He's a gay British comedian who is frankly sexual, hilarious, and somehow very polite. I laugh about twenty times each episode. He makes great use of sex toys, crazy internet sites, hidden camera gags, and audience participation. -posted 8.4.04

Percival Everett's & James Kincaid's A History of the African-American People (proposed) by Strom Thurmond - My wife thinks this is the funniest book she's read in years. I agree. Nothing like a posthumous slam on that wonderful, wonderful Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond. -posted 8.4.04

Mystic River - the movie by Clint Eastwood, which despite its studio pedigree and famous cast, is actually a low tech film noir. It's a tragic tale, and only somebody like Eastwood could make a tragedy in Hollywood. The main reason the film is so great is that it's based on an incredible book of the same title by Dennis Lehane. All of Lehane's
books are great. Read Dennis Lehane now! -posted 8.4.04

Julie Miller's CDs Blue Pony and Broken Things - In a Texas steel-cage death-match with Shania Twain and Faith Hill, Julie Miller would channel the spirits of Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells and smash a barroom chair over those two pseudo-country pop princesses.
-posted 8.4.04

On the other hand, I do recommend Shania Twain's duet with Dolly Parton, which I heard on the Oprah Winfrey Show. They sang Dolly's "Coat of Many Colors," and it made me realize that Shania could have a completely different and more authentic country music career. Her life story is so powerful and redemptive that I'll celebrate her success without ever buying her CDs. And yes, I love Dolly Parton. Dolly forever!
-posted 8.4.04

Fables comic books published by Vertigo - they're fairy tales on acid. Imagine the wolf of Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs is now a private detective/security specialist working the mean streets of Manhattan. One of the many, many retelling of fairy tales in
the series. -posted 8.4.04

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