A&E

By Zoe Shapiro
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
Back-to-school time, girlies! Does the September atmosphere have you in the mood to sympathize with a scholarly journey, or gleefully remind you that your own high school years are behind you? Check out Prep, the wonderful debut novel of Curtis Sittenfeld, who recently won rave reviews for her newer book American Wife. read more...

By Zoe Shapiro
Katy Perry's new CD for California gurls and all the rest of us clinging to chirpy summer tunes, the delectable purple- wigged one's new album hits stores this week.

Justin Beiber Whale Music for all of you who missed the recent pop culture crescendo; check out this Justin Beiber track slowed down to 1/8th speed. God bless technology for turning a Hilary Swank-coiffed, prepubescent icon into something that I can read more...

by Becca Lemire

I'm sure he's more then established in NYC, but for anyone who this is news to, kindly keep your YouTube locked on Cazwell's new video "Ice Cream Truck" for at least the remainder of the summer. Cazwell is like a non-violent Eminem mixed with Riff Raff (MTV's G's to Gent's season 2, look him up), Britney Spears, and the entire Party Monster cast. Actually, if Riff Raff were gay, I think Cazwell would be his soul mate. His best known online antics are the videos "I seen Beyonce at Burger King" and "All Over Your Face". And I'm sure he ain't talking about ice cream.  read more...

"When I first showed Joan the final cut, it was just the two of us in her apartment with American grilled cheeses set before us."

One of the most hilarious, lasting, and least understood figures in pop culture, Joan Rivers' media persona is so expertly crafted that few have thought to delve below the surface. But when you do-wow. Filmmakers Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg spent a year examining this fascinating, funny, and formidable comedienne, getting the story behind a true showbiz legend. The doc, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, is in theatres now.  read more...

SDTC’s guide to this week’s pop cultural moments, be they inspirational or debilitating.
By Zoe Shapiro
Weeds:After 2 seasons of cocaine and Mexico, Nancy and her crew are back to what they know best; dysfunction and Mary Jane. Check out the season 6 premiere of the fabulous series Monday night on Showcase.

Jimmy Fallon:Everyone has been talking about the flight attendant who quit over the plane's PA system, told the passengers to f-off, inflated the emergency slide and slid away to his car. Jimmy Fallon sang an ode to this fine professional and the ethics he has inspired in all of us. read more...

by Haley Cullingham
Ah, Lollapalooza. Another incredible weekend of music, sightseeing, playing hipster bingo in Wicker Park, smoking joints in hotel room bathtubs, getting sunburnt, drinking Sweet Tea with contraband rum, and marching en masse  with singing crowds who surged through the late-night streets of Chicago. Below, our top acts of Perry Farrell's annual fest, now in its sixth year of rocking Grant Park.  read more...

SDTC’s guide to this week’s pop cultural moments be they inspirational or debilitating.

by Zoe Shapiro

1. Bachelor Pad premiere – This is television crack. It’s really unhealthy, totally addictive and we’re ashamed to admit what we’re doing to our friends. Tune in for the series premiere on Monday night to see faces from old bachelor and bachelorette series behave badly in pursuit of sex and money. Or money and sex. Whatever; it’s gonna be super classy either way.

2. Burlesque trailer – Calling all girls and gays! The trailer for Cher and Christina’s upcoming film is now out. Expect the usual ‘small town girl comes to the big city and makes good’ except now with nipple tassels and vocal gymnastics!

3. Mad Man app for Iphone – Do you revere Jackie O? Neglect your children? Is Grace Kelly your style icon? Basically, are you trying to BE Betty Draper in any and all ways possible? Good news iphone users; download the brand new MadMen Cocktail Culture app for an extensive guide and game to the retro drinks from the show (hint: you don’t have to pay the $1.99 for the game in order to get the cocktail recipes). You’ll soon be loving and fearing the tall dark Don in your life while shaking the perfect Pink Squirrel or serving a fab Gimlet.

4. Love the Way You Lie video – The video for Eminem’s chart topping single has finally been released. What’s more awkward; watching Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan dive into each others’ tonsils? Beat the shit outta each other? Or see Em and Rihanna croon about domestic violence after being splashed across the tabloids for personal domestic violence scandals? Topical or just too meta for MTV?

5. SYTYCD Finale – Season 7 of the So You Think You Can Dance (aka the best dance show on TV) ends this week. The producers shook up the show with a top10 and a return of amazing All Stars this year with terrific results. Will it be small-town boy Kent, who has the tween backing? Grown-into-her-sex-appeal Lauren? Or Robert, who looks like Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid? Tune into see the finalists dance on Wednesday and the winner crowned on Thursday. read more...

by Zoe Shapiro

The filmic version of Eat, Pray, Love opens this week. If nothing else, the cinematic world tour and the return of Julia Roberts to starring roles might convince me to buy a ticket (she’s America’s Sweetheart for gosh sakes!). The compulsive that I am, this means first reading the book that I’ve been avoiding for the last eighteen months. Reviews have been decidedly mixed; friends, family and critics have been alternatively loving or loathing it. On principle I hate it when what’s popular is mistaken for quality. But read it I did. The book chronicles Elizabeth Gilbert’s decision to search for pleasure and devotion in Italy, India and Indonesia after a contentious divorce and the onset of depression. read more...

by Haley Cullingham

Prompted to describe Hugh Hefner, one’s mind may quickly wander to images of deep and devious cleavage, vacuous blondes with intolerably high pitched vocals, plumes of tobacco smoke and lascivious hot tub parties. Of course, one might also think of fucking – lots of dirty, scandalous, X-rated fucking. However, over quite an illuminating conversation with Brigitte Berman, Academy Award winner and director of the documentary Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, we were delightfully surprised to see another side of Hef’s complex character. Our phone call with the passionate Berman began by her telling a story that, frankly, blew our mind. read more...

If you are addicted to the Canadian Club swigging, chain smoking, slick sixties drama like I am - then all of Sunday was spent in anticipation for the season premiere of Mad Men.

Two hours prior to air time, I filled my time with laundry, a long distance phone call to a gal-pal in NYC, a brisk walking of the dog, FB tidying....FUCK - is it on yet? Similar to how a child might tinker before their birthday party, I was flustering over anything and everything to make the minutes tick faster. It was the longest two hours of the summer. read more...