Things we're feeling this week

MUSIC

Dolly Parton. We got up the other day at literally the crack of dawn to schlep in here to talk with the one and only Dolly Parton, and it was worth every second. She had me rolling in laughter, and she even swore! Check for our chat with the Backwoods Barbie soon; we live for her.

TV

Yeah Tina Fey has the comedy swag on lock but can we talk for a minute about how brilliant Kristin Wiig from Saturday Night Live is? She has me crying laughing when she does Penelope, or any other character, but when she did her "Crazy McCain Rally lady" from last night's SNL on Thursday, she topped herself. (Watch the bottom video first.) "He's an Egyptan. He's going to change the White House to a pyramid." I can't. Love her.

READING

Loving my subscription to The New Yorker right now. (However, would someone be willing to swap me Esquire for New York Magazine? Not really feelin it, thanks.) Anyway, the NYer from the other week had a great article about Obama and Virginia, and a few page turns later, a pretty good article on Timbaland. (They call him the most important producer of the decade, and we're inclined to almost agree, since we're now and forevermore on team Neptunes.) This Oct. 13th issue could very well be the first I'll ever read in full (I know, right?): there's a great article about Obama and Ohio and some other great ones.

Also, check today's really interesting story by yours truly about how hip hop culture might be effected if Obama wins the presidency. See what LL Cool J, Pusha T, Nas, Estelle, Maseo of De La Soul and local DJ DJ Bee have to say.

MUSIC 

Beyonce is back. Don't fight it; even I can't. I'm not mad at this video either. How could you be? Homegirl is beyond tight. Even I can't hate.

MOVIES

If you're looking for a great movie to watch at home, check out Peresepolis, out on DVD. It's that amazing animated film from last year about a girl growing up in Iran in the 70s, living a totally normal life until a new regime takes over. Fantastic, thoughtful film; themes about freedom, gender equality, war, propaganda and a host of other things emerge in this smart and funny piece. It lost its Oscar nom to Ratatouille, about rats who cook. Riiight.

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