I have no idea how I could have missed this! My girlfriend (Rachel Maddow), in response to Sarah Palin's accusation that pajama-wearing bloggers are making things up about her, wears pajamas during her broadcast to show her solidarity with bloggers. She said she's basically a blogger on TV. [Via Think Progress]

Even more Rachel to love.

Sam Cooke sings "A Change Is Gonna Come." I thought this was triply appropriate. It's simultaneously from Rolling Stone's Top 5 Greatest Singers (see below), a former "Daily Song" here at AKA William, and the song itself is telling us that a change is gonna come. 1, 2, 3. Triple.

Rolling Stone announces The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. The top 5?

1) Aretha Franklin
2) Ray Charles
3) Elvis Presley
4) Sam Cooke
5) John Lennon

Stan Lee to create gay superhero for Showtime. And since it's Showtime, you know we're gonna be seeing some nekkid superhero (like Vampire Bill!). He's going to have the power to heal people. Wait, is Stan Lee gay?

Patrick, one of three members of the self-titled "Team Rainbow" on the new season of Top Chef, packs his knives. Knives, I said.

Enter Gizmodo's Mars Photoshop contest: "Use Photoshop to show us what the Mars Phoenix really discovered that the government doesn't want us to know about."

Michael Moore to make new documentary focusing on the economy

Two new women added to the Saturday Night Live cast

My girlfriend, Rachel Maddow, is not entirely a saint. Not yet, anyway. Last night she had to make some correction to some misinformation she presented earlier in the week in her "Ms. Information" segment. Apparently, she mispronounced the location of the Greenland military base, Thule. She pronounced it "Thool." But it's actually pronounced "Too-lay." Says Ms. Maddow, "Humiliating."

Were we headed for an Ice Age before our oil addiction got us drunk and warmed things up?

Study finds working at work increases productivity

Seann William Scott finally bares his ass in his new movie "Role Models." (Do I have to say NSFW if I already said he bares his ass? Okay, the link is NSFW.)

Conservative NYT Op-Ed columnist David Brooks believes in change, too

Republicans are still saying it wasn't that bad of a loss? Congressman John Boehner is.

Two gay Obama supporters assaulted near White House on election night

Amid Rising Unemployment, A Few Bright Spots for Job Seekers

Because you can never have too much Rachel, here is Rachel Maddow on The Colbert Report talking about Keith Olbermann via The Daily Beast. How's that for an impressive feat of information wrangling?

How can you not be deeply in love with Rachel Maddow? I mean, the whole world is! She's everywhere, and she deserves to be. From her interview in the new issue of The Advocate:

Rachel Maddow’s not only bringing thinking back to TV news, she’s assuring herself a spot on the Mount Rushmore of broadcasting, right next to Murrow, Cronkite, and Brokaw.

. . . Maddow clearly knows what she’s talking about, but she speaks plainly, with the familiar pop-culture dialect used in real-people discussions at the bar; she described the presidential debates as “non sequitur-y” and used the jack-o’-lantern to illustrate the economy’s collapse by comparing Lehman Bros. bigwigs to kids who gorge themselves sick on Halloween candy. When exposing the rhetoric and outright lies of politicians, she ditches courtroom-style accusations for barely contained mirth. She’s sarcastic, but not bitingly so, and everyone is in on the joke—even those from whom she’s gleefully demanding honesty. Whether by nature or keen observation, she’s broken from both the holier-than-thou and gloom-and-doom approaches to punditry and offers something different: truth, with a twist. She’s now the go-to gal for people too embarrassed to admit they were getting much of their news from Jon Stewart.

More after the jump.

Even more exciting than having achieved this level of success as an out lesbian is the fact that her intelligence, wit, and fresh take on politics have overshadowed the fact that she’s an out lesbian.

. . . There, over a perfectly made old-fashioned, Maddow -- out, proud, and unafraid to go head-to-talking-head with far-right Republican Pat Buchanan -- shows the first sign of not being completely at home in the spotlight. “I feel lucky to have all this attention and all of these people wanting to talk to me about what I’m doing,” she says. “The only hesitation I have is that I’m not interested in media about media. I feel like I sometimes struggle to be interesting in talking about how I got here.”

. . . That’s probably not going to happen anytime soon. Not only is Maddow in demand for being a sign of positive change, but she’s dedicated to being an agitator for truth. “I’m trying to make an uproar,” she says. “I’m at least trying to make jokes. If you talk about something in a funny way, people think about it.

Read the full Advocate interview here. I swear, I am moments away from converting to lesbianism. Moments. (And I gotta say that I called her success explosion weeks and weeks ago!)

MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island - An impromptu ass contest. It's like Urge Ass Wednesdays, except the guy are all hot. (To be honest, I had no idea they were still doing these RW/RR challenges. Oh, and there are some un-blurred bare asses, so it's probably NSFW.) Yeah, even on days like today, we can't forget the importance of a great ass. Or three.

This week's CNNSI Tennis Ad-in/Ad-Out

Lafayette of "True Blood" a gay icon in the making

Blackberry Storm finally being released Nov. 14

What's a day at AKAWilliam without a mention of my soon-to-be girlfriend Rachel Maddow? Well, it looks like Ms. Maddow has been chosen one of Out Magazines "Out 100." The picture was inspired by photos of Katharine Hepburn.

What do Ayn Rand, Ronald Reagan, and The Green Movement all have in common? You guessed -- they all love sci-fi!

LaBelle gives an interview to Clay Cane. Patti says: "Labelle with no gay following? That wouldn't be cute! Patti LaBelle with no gay following? That would not be nice! The gay following has been there forever."

New York Magazine has an amazing interview with my girlfriend, Rachel Maddow.

[Rachel and her girlfriend are] both nonchalant about the fact that Maddow is the first openly gay woman to host a prime-time news show.

“We kind of forget we’re gay,” says Mikula. “We live in western Mass and New York and it’s very accommodating. Every once and a while I’ll say, ‘Oh my God, we’re gay.’ ”

“I’ve been out most of my life,” says Maddow. “I don’t feel like I have a choice about it. I look gay.”

Mikula has shared in some of the decision-making about The Rachel Maddow Show, encouraging her partner to wear makeup—without it, “she looked like a dead person”—and providing wardrobe advice. Maddow has long prided herself on her androgynous appearance; early in her radio career, the hosts at her morning show once took her out on the street to have passersby try to guess her gender as a stunt.

I think so much of Maddow's appeal is the sense that she is absolutely comfortable in her own skin. She is brilliant, yes, and her ease frees up her brain to work even more effectively.

Last night, Rachel Maddow, my girlfriend, interviewed Barack Obama. Yes, Rachel, who just a few short months ago was an Air America radio show host that no one really listened to. Now, she is interviewing presidential candidates. And when that interview is over, she cuts to Dan Rather to hear his analysis of her interview of the presidential candidate! I'm thinking Rachel Maddow's ascendant career was cemented by last night's smart interview. Something in Obama's demeanor was appreciative of Maddow. That kind of respect was nice to see.

What was also fantastic to see was Chris Matthews, who is forever consigned to the "B Team" of political commentary, being forced to promote Maddow's interview during his own show! Rachel leap-frogged over his sexist back and landed herself smack in the middle of the "A Team." (I pity the fool Matthews!) Matthews actually said, through clenched teeth, "That's a real get for Rachel. Getting Obama. A real get. That's what we call it in this business, when you get a real scoop. Yeah, a real get." It was the best thing on TV yesterday -- too bad I can't find a clip . . . I'll keep looking.

Those MSNBC players really slow down this site, so I put it after the jump to see if that helps. Definitely check it out. Oh, and can someone please tell me if Obama really does call Rachel "Abbey" by mistake? In response to a question about Afghanistan, I am almost certain he says, "Look, Abbey . . . ."




Watch the second half over at MSNBC.

Wake Up With These:

NPR
Fresh Air
Stories: 1) Cynthia Gorney: Parsing The Politics Of Abortion 2) Mystery Novels, With A Southwestern Flair 3) 'Tell-Tale Signs' Exposes Bob Dylan Bootlegs

Tell Me More
Stories: 1) As Election Day Nears, Poll Data Questioned 2) In Somalia And Congo: Ceasefire, Public Execution 3) Zimbabweans 'Tired' Of Political Bigotry 4) 'AIDS Sutra' Challenges Widespread Denial In India

The New York Times:
NYT The Ethicist 10/31
NYT The Front Page 10/31

The Rachel Maddow Show:
Rachel interviews Barack Obama

Audio player after the jump. Or click here to launch the player in a new window so you can browse while you listen. Or, head over to The Media Bar and listen there.

Keith Olbermann's attack of "Joe the Plumber" last night in his "Special Comment" was indefensible. What is he doing going so vehemently after an incidental celebrity like "Joe?" Telling Joe to keep his opinions to himself? Since when is that ever a good idea to tell someone? Don't speak your mind during a critical election?

I've mentioned before that I dislike Keith Olbermann as much as I love Rachel Maddow. Olbermann is so much a counterweight to Bill O'Reilly that he has become Bill O'Reilly. Olbermann is loud and obnxious, and he has become a bully. Joe has a publicist. Big deal. He is trying to capitalize on the fame that was created by people just like Olbermann. But Olbermann (who said, "I don't even have a publicist!") doesn't like a redneck acting above his station. And then Olbermann's list of other people on the the publicist's roster was reprehensible. It was demeaning to the working-class people, and it was demeaning to Democrats who are stuck with Keith Olbermann as a voice.

I never understood the characterization of Democrats as elitist. It always seemed silly to me when the Democratic party is populated by the working-class, people of color, gay people . . . the radical, intellectual elitist left has always seemed to be a boogeyman used to scare people. But when I heard Keith Olbermann last night, I thought, "Ooooh, this is the boogeyman I keep hearing about."

And I'm not the only one who is thinking this:

In a room full of television industry executives, no one seemed inclined to defend MSNBC on Monday for what some were calling its lopsidedly liberal coverage of the presidential election. The cable news channel is "completely out of control," said writer-producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, a self-proclaimed liberal Democrat. She added that she would prefer a lunch date with right-leaning Fox News star Sean Hannity over left-leaning MSNBC star Keith Olbermann.

All I can say is Rachel Maddow hasn't come a moment too soon.

THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW:
That's right -- The MSNBC Rachel Maddow Show in its ENTIRETY. Every single day. My girlfriend Rachel's nightly show is "a smart look at politics, pop culture, and all the day's top stories. It's mind over chatter!" Updated every single day.

NPR:
Fresh Air:
Stories: 1) Seth Meyers' Prime-Time Political Parody 2) '30 Rock': Tina Fey Sitcom Back For a Third Season 3) 'Socialist' Charge Draw On Old Fears

Tell Me More:
Stories: 1) Former Skinhead On Alleged Plot To Kill Obama 2) Count Me Out: Men Tell Of Decision Not To Vote

The New York Times:
The Front Page, 10/30
NYT Tech Talk 10/30

Audio player after the jump. Or click here to launch the player in a new window so you can browse while you listen. Or, head over to The Media Bar and listen there.

Here we go.

Rachel Maddow gets grossed out by a Republican congressional candidate's use of a sexy breathy-voiced robocall to moan and groan and call incumbent Mike Thompson a "bad boy."

And to give you even more Rachel Maddow-ness, she has Obama booked for tonight! This is amazing! Did I tell you or did I tell you? Rachel Maddow is the new first go-to source for every proud Democrat. (And I think Obama going on Maddow's show is a great opportunity for him to step up and tell voters in California to vote against Prop 8 - something I've been hoping for for a while now.)

Wake Up With These:

The New York Times:
The Front Page
Summary of the NYT front page, Friday October 24, 2008.

NPR
Tell Me More:
Stories: 1) UNCH Pillay Set To Observe U.N. Day 2) Businessman Bob Johnson Invests In Liberia 3) Darfur Women Scarred By Fighting 4) Cultural Workouts, A New Fitness Trend

Fresh Air:
Stories: 1) Charlie Kaufman On Being — And Directing 2) The Many Facets Of 'Changeling' Eastwood

Slate:
Culture Gabfest
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics discuss the unexpected catharsis they felt watching Oliver Stone's W. Then, in a special lightning round, they revisit past Gabfest topics, including the ongoing Fey/Palin tragicomedy, Rachel Maddow, and the future of the current environmental movement.

Audio player after the jump. Or click here to launch the player in a new window so you can browse while you listen. Or, head over to The Media Bar and listen there.

Maybe William Shatner will be invited to George Takei's first anniversary?
Chicago is on the ball. Homeless shelters to get gay training. Between this and the gay high school, Obama's home state shows us how it's done.

The illusion of movement in these colored circles is just an illusion. No, really. They aren't moving.

You missed you some Maddow today? Don't worry because we have your Rachel Maddow in GQ!

Patti Labelle at Splash last night

Obama on SNL?

The Road, starring Viggo Mortenson and based on the brilliant book by Cormac McCarthy, has been moved to 2009.

People growing up watching black and white television dream in black and white. I don't know if I buy this or not, but if it's true, I'm looking forward to 3D TV even more.

Pink interview: "I wanted being a performer to change my life, but I didn’t want to let it change who I was."



I'm not an expert, but I don't think this is how this game is played.

Janice Dickinson's models get a Parke and Ronen gig.
More Maddow. Rachel Maddow doubles the audience for her cables new show

Gruesome new show from Survivor's Jeff Probst. The show, Live Like You’re Dying, will feature a person who has been given a terminal diagnosis with a finite amount of time to live and “take them on the last adventure of their life,” according to Probst.

Top 10 most underappreciated horror movie deaths

Hollywood adjusts to new economy

Palin failed on SNL? According to these women she did.

AskMen.com's Top 49 Most Influential Men for 2008. . . Makes me wonder if there's going to be a Bottom 49. Nothing wrong with flipping.

The Torchwood boys make out off set . . . too.

It's not the radiation. Nope. It's the nickel that'll get you!

And, yeah, Madonna and Guy are fighting. Madonna likes to watch, apparently.

Click below to jump the the full size players, or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull up a chair, hang out, and watch them in The Media Bar.

Today's Buffet:

Daily Song:
Heaven 17 - Let Me Go
(Original 12" Extended Version)



Television:Joe Biden on Ellen
with Julia Louis Dreyfuss (7:35)



Politics:
Rachel Maddow
and the spies who watch us



Movies:
9 to 5 clip (4:35)
Because it's the best movie ever made.



Music Video:
adele "Chasing Pavements" in the WTMD studio.




The players after the jump. Or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull up a chair and hang out in The Media Bar right next door.

Heaven 17 - Let Me Go (Original 12" Extended Version)

Television

Joe Biden on Ellen with Julia Louis Dreyfuss (7:35)

Movies:

9 to 5 clip (4:35) The best movie ever made. "I tore right through it, Ros."

Politics:

Rachel Maddow and the spies who watch us

Music Video:

adele "Chasing Pavements" in the WTMD studio.

In a brief but wonderful Q&A in the "Domains" section of the NYT Magazine, Rachel Maddow comes across as a charming combination of Huck Finn and one of the ad executives from Mad Men.

Favorite recent gift: A very old friend of mine gave me a fishing pole. I’d done a little fishing as a kid. Now, I have started fishing in the rivers around my house. I have my Massachusetts fishing license in my wallet and my pole in the shed.

Hobby: I am a hobbyist bartender. I have a liquor cabinet. I research classic drinks from the golden age of American cocktails and I make them for me and Susan.

This makes the longer NYT Magazine profile on Chris Matthews a few months ago look all the more humiliating for Chris Matthews.

The Rachel Maddow Show is starting to hit its stride. I really like Maddow. I want to love her, but there are times when she seems to be standing on Keith Olbermann's soap box (although anything that keeps him from using it is probably a good thing). I wish she would leave that thing behind completely and just do what she does best -- talk TO her guests and not AT her audience.

Last night was one of her best shows yet. She sat down and chatted with both John Kerry and Oliver Stone (not simultaneously). In her conversation with Oliver Stone, Maddow melded the roles of politics and the arts into a united goal with this beautiful sentence: "It's a fuzzy line between changing people's minds and changing the world." I don't know if it's entirely hers (I kind of hope it is), but even if it's not, she used it almost the way Obama would have. And that's saying something. (Incidentally, I am not the only one who was struck by this line.)

I think the level of these two Democratic guests appearing on her show is a testament to the promise she possesses as a credible source of news. Is there any doubt that in an overwhelmingly Democratic Washington she is going to become the go-to source? I have a feeling that as much as Olbermann sees himself as Bill O'Reilly's good twin brother, it might be Maddow who steps in and shows him how a sister does it better.

Colin Farrell discusses his sex tape
Daily Show couple to write CBS sitcom

Liz Smith reviews Brolin as W

Via popnography, some stills from Milk

Gus Van Sant to be honored that the LA Gay and Lesbian Center

Audre Lorde, the black lesbian poet, is celebrated for Black History Month

Scissor Sisters perform at Mercury Lounge last night

More Heroes defections

omgblog has an NSFW pic of what is probably a naked Ashton Kutcher sitting on the toilet. (NSFW) I mean, take it where you can get it, right?

Madonna wears dumb shoes to the New York premiere of her new movie Filth and Wisdom

The Media Bar is open! Click below to jump to the full-size video. Better yet, just hang out next door at The Media Bar.



Daily Song

Television
Rachel Maddow on Leno (8:18 skip the first pixellated 10 seconds)


Movies
Blindness (2:29)

Based on the brilliant book by Jose Saramago

Politics
Sean Hannity goes off on guest (5:14, fast forward to 2:30)
From last month -- Hannity defends Bush's healthy economy.


Music Video
Britney Spears "Womanizer" (3:50)