The Perpetual Post

SNL: Ashton Kutcher/Them Crooked Vultures

Steve Murphy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:59 +0000

HOWARD MEGDAL: This one leaves me unimpressed. Pretty scattershot, and Gibbs wouldn't appear on that panel, plus that isn't remotely like Robert Gibbs. This one is overdone. Look, they show that Fox News is unbalanced. I already knew that. Even the Glenn Beck, by virtue of being material-free, wastes a good effort from Jason Sudeikis. STEVE MURPHY: Not their worst... but not funny, either. Although I did enjoy looking at Abby Elliot. ZOË RICE: The best thing about this open was Attractive Blonde Lady, which made me chuckle. Unfortunately the overall affect was slow, with a couple decent moments but not enough.

In Briefs: Facebook Celebrity Dopplegangers

Akie Bermiss — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:20 +0000

In Briefs: Facebook Celebrity Dopplegangers

AKIE BERMISS: Is anyone else hip to this Facebook celebrity-doppleganger meme that’s going around? I’ve been noticing it of late. And I don’t really care for it. But i was wondering if its something… important

JILLIAN LOVEJOY LOWERY: I…

Tim Tebow Ad

Jeff Morrow — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:00:59 +0000

MOLLY SCHOEMANN: The already-infamous ‘Tim Tebow Anti-Abortion’ Superbowl ad hasn’t even aired yet, but it’s already stirred up plenty of controversy. JEFF MORROW: The Tebow ad sounds like a rare piece of abortion-related advocacy that earnestly tries to persuade. For a pro-life ad, that's pretty pro-choice.

In Briefs: Super Bowl Predictions

Howard Megdal — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:01:04 +0000

JASON CLINKSCALES: I'm not big on posting scores, but since this is the proverbial gun-to-head scenario, I'll say Indy 31 - NO 24. HOWARD MEGDAL: Colts 38, Saints 10 CHRIS PUMMER: Saints 126, Colts -7

Future of the Jets

Chris Pummer — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:30 +0000

CHRIS PUMMER: It's too early to put Tannenbaum and Ryan in the same class as Parcells, Belichick, Shannahan or Cowher. But they're off to a good start. Now instead of being defined by the culture of past Jets failures, they need to establish their own culture of success. JASON CLINKSCALES: Optimism is very high on the future of the New York Jets and why the heck not? They possess the best defense in the NFL, a superb offensive line, bigger wide receivers, an overlooked running game and a young quarterback on the rise. So while it’s hard not to believe that Gang Green will be a contender for years to come… well, these are the Jets.

The Carlos Ruiz Contract

Howard Megdal — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:48 +0000

CHRIS PUMMER: If Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has prized nothing else this offseason, it has been cost certainty over the next two to four years. HOWARD MEGDAL: It isn't that I think the Carlos Ruiz signing will ruin the Phillies. I just think it is a move that, in the name of cost-certainty, keeps the position quite mediocre.

Bookstores: Independent, Used and Massive Chains

Akie Bermiss — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:26 +0000

AKIE BERMISS: I love me some books. No I really do. When I walk into a bookstore, I expect to come back out significantly poorer than when I walked in. If there's any one thing that I'm easily distracted by -- its probably books. And, unlike many people, I'll never enjoy buying them online. I don't feel satisfaction when a graphic of a book goes into my "shopping-cart" and then a week later a box shows up in my mail. No joy. I need to go to the store. I need to see them in their element. I need to pick them out. And I need to take them home with me. HOWARD MEGDAL: Like Akie, I do acknowledge a love for the Big Box Bookstores. But to cast aside the many other ways to acquire books- yes, I share his obsession with all things bibliorific- is an astonishing limitation I simply do not share. ZOË RICE: While I was away at college, Barnes & Noble opened its first Brooklyn store, four blocks from my parents' house. Park Slope, Brooklyn, was decidedly not a chain store neighborhood--the Starbucks wouldn't come until later, and no, I still haven't recovered--and here was a massive store, two levels, popping up right in my backyard. We had independent stores: Community Bookstore (still living), Booklink (no longer with us) and Booklink II (the first to go). Park Slope was known for being quite literary, with loads of editors and artistic types. B&N would not do. But then I visited it. And I realized Park Slope needed a Barnes & Noble.

Whole Foods

Jillian Lovejoy Lowery — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:22 +0000

MOLLY SCHOEMANN: No longer just a patronizing corporation with a moral-superiority complex, Whole Foods is showing that it cares enough about its employees to do what it can to lower its company healthcare costs. JILLIAN LOVEJOY LOWERY: Whole Foods CEO John Mackey seems to have forgotten that people come in all shapes and sizes, that things like blood pressure and cholesterol are sometimes hereditary, and that even smokers might like to purchase their avocados at a greater discount.

Lost: Week 1 Review

Zoë Rice — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:18 +0000

ZOË RICE: So begins the final chapter. Lost might be the finest--or at the very least most compelling--example of episodic storytelling in my lifetime. And so its sixth and final season began with more anticipation than I can remember feeling for any TV premiere ever. How could LA X Parts 1 and 2 possibly live up to the expectation? And yet, I am satisfied. At least for now. I was riveted. (Spoilers ahead!) TED BERG: Oh, Lost. They promised this season would be different. They said they were going to start wrapping things up, and answering questions right quick.

Corporations Are People?

Molly Schoemann — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:56 +0000

JEFF MORROW, INC.: Finally, I belong. MOLLY SCHOEMANN: I don’t understand why everyone is so concerned about the fact that corporations are now free to donate massive sums of money to promote the political candidates of their choosing.