History catches up with the GOP

What happens to the loser?

George Stephanopoulos reviews Obama's informercial: "A virtuoso performance"

American "socialism" explained

"Don't Let Up!"
and "Don't Speak for Me, Sarah Palin!" (to "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina!")

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 Tyrolean Iceman has offered up another mystery. (The first one being: who stole his genitals?) He is from a human lineage that is no longer in existence, and scientists don't know what to make of that.

The so-called Tyrolean Iceman, a 5,000-year-old mummy found in an Alpine glacier roughly two decades ago, lived in an era when people were smelting copper and living in cities. But a recent study of his mitochondrial DNA — circlets of genetic material passed on solely through mothers — revealed something astonishing about this recent human ancestor. He is from a distinct genetic group that mysteriously disappeared. Perhaps no one sharing his genetic lineage survived into the present day. Or perhaps humans are evolving so quickly that even our close ancestors are genetically distinct from us in significant ways.

This new information might be in line with recent evidence that human evolution is accelerating.

There was an "The Iceman No Longer Cometh" joke trying to be written here, but it seems kind of mean now that we know he doesn't have any family. Poor guy's been through enough.

Pork here with this week's Chart Attack. Here is a look at this week’s Billboard charts, week ending November 8th, 2008.

Don’t let anyone tell you that the music industry is dead. This week AC/DC decided to experiment with the ailing warhorses that are current-day record stores and allowed their newest release, Black Ice, (their first in 8 years) to only be sold at Wal-mart, Sam’s Club and their own website and they managed to move more than 3/4 of a million units. Their tally of 784,000 copies gives them the second largest opening of the year on the Billboard 200. (Chances are Lil Wayne will take the honor of biggest first-week sales right up until the end of the year since Tha Carter III exploded with 1.005 million units in June). I wonder if AC/DC could’ve possibly bested Lil Wayne if they had made their album available at all retail locations including iTunes, but another part of me thinks that the buzz created by their limited-access release is what helped draw a lot of the attention to the release. Either way, the people have shown that they still love music and they will still pay for it.

Beyoncé and/or Sasha Fierce couldn’t pull off quite the stunt that Britney did a couple weeks back with “Womanizer”, but the first single from I Am Sasha Fierce, “If I Were A Boy” does take an eye-opening leap from 68-3 on the Hot 100. As predicted, not even the mighty B could disturb T.I.’s reign over the top 2 spots as “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life” secure the top two spots on the big chart respectively.

“If I Were A Boy” does manage to knock “Womanizer” off of the top of Hot Digital Songs. Let’s see what Sasha Fierce can do.

Ne-Yo slinks into the No. 1 position on no less than 3 different charts with “Miss Independent.” It’s comforting to see this kind of success from an artist of such substance in this scary age of vocoding and circus tricks in music. I strongly urge you to get your hands (and ears) on a copy of his latest full-length, Year of the Gentleman.

A final congratulations to Danny Tenaglia who lands the No. 1 Hot Dance Club Play track this week with “The Space Dance.” Ten years after “Elements” topped the charts, D.T. proves that if you ‘be yourself,’ you can do whatever you want . . . even in space. :]

And make sure to go over and check out this week's Listen Up (New Music Tuesday). What's sitting atop all of this week's Billboard charts, plus Bing Crosby continues his reign, after the jump.

A View From The Top:
Here is a look at what’s sitting atop this week’s Billboard charts:
November 8th, 2008 (week ending)

Singles:
Hot 100: T.I. “Whatever You Like”
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Ne-Yo “Miss Independent”
Pop 100: P!nk “So What”
Mainstream Top 40: P!nk “So What”
Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop: Ne-Yo “Miss Independent”
Hot Modern Rock Tracks: The Offspring “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid”
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks: Metallica “The Day That Never Comes”
Triple A: O.A.R. “Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
Hot Rap Tracks: T.I. “Whatever You Like”
Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks: Jason Mraz “I’m Yours”
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks: David Cook “The Time Of My Life”
Hot Digital Songs: Beyoncé – If I Were A Boy
Rhythmic Top 40: T.I. “Whatever You Like”
Hot Dance Club Play: Danny Tenaglia “The Space Dance”
Hot Dance Airplay: Ercola & Daniella “Every Word”
Hot Dance Single Sales: M.I.A. “Paper Planes”
Pop 100 Airplay: P!nk “So What
Hot 100 Airplay: T.I. “Whatever You Like”
Hot Singles Sales: Artists Stand Up To Cancer “Just Stand Up!”
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales: Artists Stand Up To Cancer “Just Stand Up!”
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: Ne-Yo “Miss Independent”
Hot Adult R&B Airplay: Jennifer Hudson “Spotlight”
Hot Singles Recurrents: Natasha Bedingfield “Pocketful Of Sunshine”
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Recurrents: Noel Gourdin “The River”
Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay: Natasha Bedingfield “Pocketful Of Sunshine”
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Recurrent Airplay: Noel Gourdin “The River”
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles: Chairlift “Bruises”
Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: Deborah (Who?) Cox “Did You Ever Love Me”
Hot Ringtones: Grupo Montez De Durango “Adios Amore Te Vas”
Hot Country Songs: Carrie Underwood “Just A Dream”

Albums:
The Billboard 200 Albums: AC/DC – Black Ice
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: T.I. – Paper Trail
Top Digital Albums: Soundtrack – High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Top Rock Albums: AC/DC – Black Ice
Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums: Metallica – Death Magnetic
Top Hard Rock Albums: AC/DC – Black Ice
Top Independent Albums: Ray LaMontagne – Gossip In The Grain
Top Electronic Albums: M.I.A. – Kala
Top Rap Albums: T.I. – Paper Trail
Top Soundtracks: Mamma Mia!
Top Cast Albums: Original Broadway Cast Recording – Wicked
Top Country Albums: Kenny Chesney – Lucky Old Sun
Top Heatseekers: Five Finger Death Punch – The Way Of The Fist

. . . on the international front:
European Hot 100 Singles: P!nk “So What” (go P!nk!)
European Top 100 Albums: Metallica – Death Magnetic

. . . and . . . keeping his top spot like a true P.I.M.P.:
Hot Holdiay Songs: Bing Crosby “White Christmas”

Have Americans forgotten the true meaning of Halloween?
BBC show "Have I Got New for You" investigated for homophobic remarks about Iranian gays

Huffington Post writer in lesbian murder/suicide tragedy

Beyonce hires a tranny back-up dancer?

At&T announces that all iPhone users will get free Wi-Fi

The Financial Times calls Rachel Maddow a "chirpy gay liberal" while leaving Matt Drudge's gayness unmentioned.

Study find that the UK's version of "Little Britain" homophobic. Another study will no doubt soon find that the American version is incredibly unfunny.

This week's Tennis Mailbag.

Cloris Leachman before "Dancing With The Stars"

I've been looking for this video all morning. Listen as former Presidnt Clinton campaigns with Obama for the first time.

Here is Obama's informercial. Andrew Sullivan said, "I'm sorry but I cannot even begin to watch the Obama infomercial tonight. I can't take any more." Election fatigue has hit everyone, not just Whoopi. Did you see her on The View yesterday? Even Elisabeth looked politically spent. I managed to, but after it was over I wasn't quite sure why it had been produced. There was nothing new mentioned, but I suppose if you have the cash you might as well spend it . . . .

"Sidewalk Sale" has been re-named "Happy Hour" because as Pork said, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere." He also suggested that I call these posts "A Good Stiff One." Pork has the best ideas.

I promised something a little bit . . . dirtier today because, well, variety is always a good thing. A modely boy here, an East Village Boy there . . . this EVB is Matthew. Via East Village Boys.

Click thumbnails to enlarge. And check out the two R-rated NSFW pics after the jump.

After Elton, which has become my new favorite website (after this one, of course,) has an interview with the brilliant and beautiful Darryl Stephens, star of the "Noah's Arc" television series and now the movie "Noah's Arc - Jumping the Broom."

On why the show was canceled: I will say that I understand that Logo has a lot of people that they‘re trying to appeal to within the LGBTQ community. A show like Noah’s Arc is not the cheapest show to produce. Looking at a show like Shirts & Skins, it’s much more cost-effective for them to do a show like that as opposed to this big narrative with wardrobe budgets and sets and shooting in Vancouver. If they feel like they’re going to make more money on a show that doesn’t cost as much, that’s what the network is going to do.

On the treatment of gay marriage in the movie: The universe of Noah’s Arc really comes from a place where gay is not the issue. The point is that these are people who have friendships and relationships and jobs, and children and issues that everybody else has. The legal and civil rights aspect of gay marriage isn’t even our concern. We’re already established that we’ve gone out of our state to get married. That’s the one nod to how ridiculous that in the United States of America same-sex marriage is not legal in most states.

But beyond that, the movie is about . . . when you’re committing yourself to someone, you’re committing yourself to them in a lifelong loving relationship. You have to deal with all these issues about whether or not you’re ready, about whether or not this person is “the one,” whether or not your friends are going to support you. It’s not really about the fact that these are gay people. Yeah, these are gay characters, yeah, they’re black men, but they’re living the same lives that everyone else in the world is living.

Read the entire interview with Stephen's and his co-star Jensen Atwood.

California isn't the only state trying to amend its constitution in order to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Arizona is once again attempting to deprive its citizens of basic human rights. In 2006, that state failed to pass a proposal that would have severely limited civil unions of any kind, including heterosexual ones. Now, Arizona's Prop 102 is attempting a similar, and similarly repulsive, feat. The AP reports:

PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona has been a disappointment to anti-gay marriage activists since 2006, when the state became the first in the nation to reject a ballot measure banning same-sex marriage . . . Although Arizona voters turned down the 2006 measure, there is a big difference between that one and this year's measure, Proposition 102 . . . This year's measure, as its backers point out, is 20 words: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

"The simplicity of the amendment is what's going to help it pass," said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, one of the backers of the anti-gay marriage measure. Those 20 words would be added to the state's constitution if Proposition 102 passes. The state already has a law, enacted in 1996 and upheld in 2003 by a state appellate court, that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Backers say they want the constitutional change because they're trying to prevent judges from legislating from the bench and turning it over.

There was a lot of discussion last night online, on TV, everywhere, about the new McCain ad (you can check it out over in The Media Bar) aired in response to Obama's thirty-minute infomercial. McCain's ad ends by saying that Obama is "not ready . . . yet."

This seemed to stump a lot of the pundits. I'm not entirely sure why. I thought the "yet" was a direct appeal to independents and undecided voters -- the ones most likely to decide the outcome of the election. Most of the independents and undecideds like Obama and, push come to shove, might vote for him based on their like of him alone. The McCain ad is an acknowledgement of Obama's appeal and popularity, and McCain is attempting to reassure those who are swayable by telling them that during this scary time they don't have to feel bad or guilty for not voting for Obama this time around. Yes, he is a great guy, and he will get his turn. Just not yet. Vote for me because I'll make things safe, and then Obama can have his turn in eight years. Jason Zengerle, over at The New Republic blog "The Plank," voices a similar sentiment.

I think that little line tagged on the end of the ad (" . . . yet") is also an acknowledgement that the negative ads are often boomeranging right back to McCain. He has to attack Obama, but can't keep risking the votes he needs most. With one little word, McCain can simultaneously foment his base's fears (of the world, in general) and tap into the lingering doubts of those voters who like Obama but worry about his youth.

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.

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

Daily Song:
Smashing Pumpkins "Disarm" (Randy Moyer Mix)

Television:
The Blood Work Vlog says, "In this very special episode, my better half Andy and I carve True Blood Jack-O-Lanterns and discuss the latest episode, in which all kinds of crazy crap went down. (If you'd like to make your own Vampire Bill-o-Lantern or Fangtasia Gourd, the templates are available over here.) Tacky gay vampires, dirty cemetery sex, ice cream sundaes and more ... check it all out, after the break!"

Movies:
The Haunting of Molly Hartley - "In this tale of spell binding suspense, something evil lurks just beneath the lush surfaces of teenaged girl’s private school world - and it holds the rights to her very soul. Now, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Molly Hartley is about to discover the truth of just who, or rather what, it is she is destined to become." Uh, yeah. That sounds like a lot going on. This is part of the pre-Halloween theme, and it's also a reason to check out the movie's co-star, Chace Crawford.

Politics:
McCain's ad: "Obama not ready . . . yet." What the hell does that mean? Read my take.

Music Video:
Stevie Nicks performs "Sara" live

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



Daily Song:

Smashing Pumpkins "Disarm" (Randy Moyer Mix)

Television:

In this very special episode, my better half Andy and I carve True Blood Jack-O-Lanterns and discuss the latest episode, in which all kinds of crazy crap went down. (If you'd like to make your own Vampire Bill-o-Lantern or Fangtasia Gourd, the templates are available over here.)Tacky gay vampires, dirty cemetery sex, ice cream sundaes and more ... check it all out, after the break!
http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/blood-work-true-blood-video-blog-vlog-8-pumpkin-guts-muddy-buttocks

Movies:
The Haunting of Molly Hartley
"In this tale of spell binding suspense, something evil lurks just beneath the lush surfaces of teenaged girl’s private school world - and it holds the rights to her very soul. Now, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Molly Hartley is about to discover the truth of just who, or rather what, it is she is destined to become." Uh, yeah. That sounds like a lot going on. This is part of the pre-Halloween theme, and it's also a reason to check out the movie's co-star, Chace Crawford.

Politics:

McCain's ad: "Obama not ready . . . yet." What the hell does that mean? Read my take.

Music Video:

Stevie Nicks performs "Sara" live