1. "The Apprentice," by Scooter Libby
In 1996, "The Apprentice" hit bookstands. An inspiring tale of conservative family values? Not so much. It's actually an extremely dirty erotic novel, many direct excerpts from which were recently published in an article in The New Yorker. Former Cheney chief of staff Libby's visionary work tells the story of Setsuo, a "virgin innkeeper who finds herself on the brink of love and war." Details from the story are far too scandalous, revolting and wholly un-Republican to reprint here (the Scene staff would prefer you keep your lunch), but should curiosity get the best of you, read the article at http://www.newyorker.com/-talk/content/articles/051107ta_talk_collins, or consider picking a coveted copy up on Amazon.com - where Libby's newfound fame has sellers hawking used paperback versions for $119.98 and up.
2. Zambonis
Frank Zamboni had a dream. And in the 1940s, he made that dream a reality, pioneering easy ice resurfacing for the entire world. Although it's inconceivable that he didn't get a Nobel Peace Prize for inventing what's basically a gigantic machine whose sole purpose is to resurface ice, he's still a hero in the hearts of the Scene staff. To celebrate winter, show your respect for this American hero by purchasing some sweet Zamboni merchandise at www.zamboni.com. Yeah. Zambonis totally rule.
3. "The Squid and the Whale"
Divorce is so fun! This autobiographical film by Noah Baumbach is one of the first highlights from the latest wave of killer fall movies. It's an honest, poignant and occasionally hilarious account of the Berkmans' divorce and its effects on the family. Jeff Daniels delivers an all-star performance as the jerky, intellectual father, Bernard, as does Owen Kline (Kevin Kline's son), who plays the youngest Berkman kid, Frank - at once cute and creepy (but a cute creepy). Baumbach, whose latest claim to fame was a lackluster co-writing credit on "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," hit this one out of the park.
4. "The Colbert Report"
This Daily Show spinoff features former Jon Stewart regular Stephen Colbert pontificating about every subject, from the politics of James Brady to the lethality of bears. Colbert's fake news report parodies other programs such as "The O'Reilly Factor" and "The Countdown" with Keith Olbermann, but he has also proved he is willing to go toe-to-toe with eminent guests such as Leslie Stahl, Fareed Zakaria and Stone Phillips. While the show is still new and trying to find its footing (Colbert's early interactions with staff members have been spectacularly unfunny), his signature segment, "The Word," is biting and hilarious. For example, after Rosa Parks' death, he began one segment of "The Word" by referring to the Civil Rights activist as overrated. Controversial, yes. Hysterical, absolutely!
5. Lots of Papers
This may be a common thread weaving together some students' college lives, but this week it seemed particularly apropos to mention the fact that the excrement has hit the air conditioning (to borrow a Vonnegut-ism) for most of the population. It's one of the last great humps before the great free fall of Thanksgiving break and the mini-month to follow. Scene advice: keep your nose to the grindstone, keep your head on straight and keep your free library mug filled with joe. Hang in there, AU.
-Compiled by the Scene staff.
