Today's Reading - 02/17/08

● In Detroit, Not Exactly LOL LOL!

Nothing like seeing Detroit get national headlines for all the wrong reasons. You're doing a hell of a job, Kwame.

● The Last Man Exits

10 to 12 years ago, I - and many other fans - yearned for comic books to get this sort of attention. Those days are clearly over. But maybe it took a title like Brian K. Vaughan's Y the Last Man for the medium to be taken seriously. With the last issue of the series having now been published, I have some catching up to do.

● Is PBS Still Necessary?

When I saw the headline of this article, my instinct was "Hell, yes." Unfortunately, my argument mostly consists of, "We're just better with PBS on the air."

But if you were to ask me what I actually watch on PBS... well, it's pretty much The NewsHour. No other news program delves into an issue of the day more thoroughly. But even then, I usually tune in only on Fridays, for the commentary of Mark Shields and David Brooks. Sometimes, I watch Soundstage or Austin City Limits, if a band I like is performing.

These days, however, I listen to Public Radio much more.

● Making a Name for Themselves

The story of "Guy" and "Girl" didn't end once the credits rolled on Once. This thing has become bigger than either of its stars ever could've expected.

● It Is What It Is, a Sports Cliche For Our Times

Five words strung together that allow professional athletes to answer a question without actually answering a question. (Though sometimes it provides enough of an answer, depending on what your definition of "is" is.)