Gideon Yago
Gideon is Carson with cred. With a Clarke Kent meets Rivers Cuomo bookish façade, writing credits in Paper and SPIN, and closet full of D.G. ties, MTV2’s sole kewl cat reassures those skeptical of “1515’s” dorky little brother (you know, the brother who tries way too hard to impress, emulating the elder’s every move, but with an overlying whackness). Born right here in Madison but raised in Forest Hills, Yago was discovered on Columbia’s campus by a visiting MTV crew. Now the foundation of 2’s youth-led, Bible-belt-bred walking stereotypes (Ian, you no Pinfield brah), Natalie Portman’s beau is a hot commodity. Even Entertainment Weekly put him on its watch list. Hard-hitting journalist? No. My weekend costume? Absolutely.
The Monday Buzz
During a recent early morning broadcast, Linda Jameson compared her Monday morning show on WORT to a “wacky aunt.” True, the weekly show has its moments of over-the-top hilarity (poking fun at hunting stands made me chuckle while still under the covers). But the most impressive facet of this strictly volunteer-based program is Jameson’s ability to keep her guests at ease, whether it’s a drunk poet promoting a reading, a neighborhood leader promoting a meeting or a student activist promoting a — you get the picture . Linda maintains this level of unwavering respect for her subjects (truly refreshing in the cynic-laden AM dial). Monday mornings have never been so playful. [Editor’s note: Support WORT’s yearly pledge drive this week by donating your time or money. Call 256-2001]
Wayne Brady
With dashing good looks, killer comic instinct and a singing voice to boot, this Florida native is ABC’s triple threat. After paying his dues on game shows (“I’ll take Wayne Brady to block”), Brady became a “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” staple. From impressions to improv, he has Drew Carey doing spit-takes and the rest of America holding their guts and wiping their eyes, even cracking himself up along the way. This earned him the honor of his own variety show of sorts, appropriately titled “The Wayne Brady Show.” Although not as ingenious as “Whose Line?” and somewhat restricting and scripted for the quick-witted comic dynamo, the show has potential and beats the pants off of any show containing the phrase “sexy singles.” — AR
Simpson Toys at Burger King
Not since the late ’90s have fast-food consumers been graced by America’s favorite animated family — and even then, Subway’s versions lacked the Halloween theme. But now the Home of the Whopper is Home to Simple Joy. Maggie as a ghost, Apu as a pumpkin, Barney as a Mummy, just about everyone from Springfield got in on the act. The 15 trinkets put the treat in trick-or-treat and the light-up aspect will have your friends screaming “Boo!” (Or is it “Boo-urns?”). Blame buying the kids’ meal on your little brother, the hours of playtime fun are worth it. –AR
Blog of the Week
“I really hate meeting new people. It’s not that I think I’m better than anyone, but these days people don’t have the social skills they should. Or maybe it’s me with the lack of social skills. I find that when I meet men, I am hit on almost instantaneously, even when I am so obviously not interested. And when I meet women, they instantly hate me, because I am a bitch. So I hate making friends because I dislike being in either of those situations. And I absolutely despise people who blame everything on everyone else but themselves.” [http://www.theblitch.com/blitch/]
