Reality Check
When a critic slams Bravo’s new take on “Battle of the Network Stars,” our writer remembers what made the first one worth a do-over. As it turns out, while the show could be remade, it could hardly be revived.
Archive
A collection of 14236 issues
6 September 2005
New York's currently: still horrified The U.S. failed colossally to protect its citizens from a disaster frequently foretold--a chain of preceding events. Pumps start emptying the big easy after the 17th Street Canal floodwall is plugged, but the city is a water world. Houston businesses jump
The Comeback
If it’s not careful, Ratatat the band (otherwise known as Evan Mast and Mike Stroud) may find suddenly find out it’s Ratatat, the star production team. With their dizzying “Big Slippa” remix of the Shout Out Louds’ “The Comeback,” the pair redefines this respectable, treble-y indie-rock
2 September 2005
New York's currently: ready to help Disorder grows in New Orleans, though people are being evacuated, and Baton Rouge is now the most populous city in Louisiana. National Guard arrives in New Orleans to help a police force overwhelmed by snipers and angry mobs; Bush to visit Gulf
Shadows Everywhere
We interrupt our weekly Non-Expert column to bring you this dispatch, beginning a new series of letters: Our author in Rome returns home, from Italy to Idaho, finding chaos everywhere he looks.
Grizzly Man
The amount of epic symbolism and ironic tragedy overflowing Grizzly Man, a documentary about a man who wants to live amongst grizzlies, makes it almost too perfect to be believed. Herzog made a similarly themed man-vs.nature mocumentary last year, the protagonist looks like Klaus Kinski’s lost brother,
Killoggs
I don’t even remember how they all know each other any more. But for more than five years now, I’ve voyeuristically watched a gang of pals who quietly sort-of blog at www.killoggs.com. Josh got punched by Ben recently, and now his eye is messed up.
The Game Is Afoot
Thirty-two hours in a van, scavenging for clues and solving puzzles—that’s “the Game,” a battle of smarts and endurance, and the competition is beyond fierce. Part two: Cracking codes and scaring the locals.
1 September 2005
New York's currently: thankful to have a roof Chaos in New Orleans as mayor guesses at thousands dead, orders police to quit rescues and prevent looting instead. Engineers say draining New Orleans may take three to six months. Hospital patients evacuated; National Guard doubling troops; Post-Katrina conditions
Maria Taylor
I have a problem with solo female pop singers with terrific voices—I cannot get enough, never, no way. Rebecca Gates, Feist, Brandy, Beth Orton, Alison Krauss, all have kept me company in the last couple years, and now I find Maria Taylor, who sounds a bit like Jenny Lewis