40 Years of Football Tears
On a night just like this in 1971, a legend was born. The legend that the movie Brian’s Song is the only movie that will make a grown man cry. I weep that there are men who can cry so easily.
Biographies
Puzzles and Ping Pong
Will Shortz edits the New York Times crossword puzzle, sells millions of books (millions!)… and is a ping pong mogul?
Does All Modern Music *Really* Come From the Blues?
Where do Keith Richards, Ayn Rand, and the blues come together? In exasperation, that’s where.
Does the World Really *Need* a Photoshop Detector?
Scientists at Dartmouth have developed a top-secret tool that can show how much celebrity photos have been digitally altered. The question is, how much do you want to know?
A Portrait of Billy Strayhorn
Jazz composer Billy Strayhorn wrote “Lush Life,” “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Satin Doll” — all while looking like a big kid.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Conan
Why is a really great new Sherlock Holmes novel still so elusive? And why do so many authors keep trying to write it?
The Handsome Man-Purse of Sir Ben Kingsley
I would just like to say that Sir Ben Kingsley’s leather satchel (or “man purse,” if you must) is pretty cool. That is all.
How Old is Lindsay Ellingson?
Congrats to model Lindsay Ellingson, who’s landed a big gig on the Victoria’s Secret show this week. But she may be a bit older than her agency claims.
Noel Gallagher Tells the Tale of His £110,000 Rock ‘n Roll Supercar
What’s it like being a rock and roll icon? Noel Gallagher has a classic tale from his days with Oasis. Plus, he calls George Michael “mad as custard.”
Yoda Sells Japanese Noodles
Yes, really! Yoda is the latest celebrity to go to Japan for the big advertising bucks, using The Force to boil up some noodle water.