Gibberish-Speaking CBS Reporter Had Migraine

Max Read · 02/18/11 01:55AM

The key question following CBS L.A. reporter Serene Branson's on-air linguistic breakdown after the Grammys was "Did she have a stroke?" (This was the nice-seeming way of asking "Is it okay for me to laugh at this video?") Well: The blood test and brain scan results have apparently ruled out the possibility of a stroke, and Branson's doctors now believe she suffered from a migraine; her neurologist, Dr. Andrew Charles, says "she's completely back to herself." Which is great news, for Branson and for your heavy conscience. Laugh away! [AP]

The President of Uganda's Hot Rap Single

Max Read · 02/18/11 01:10AM

Who is the Chet Haze of Uganda? Possibly Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is considering releasing "quite a big album of the classics." A big rap album, he means! This may seem ambitious for a man who once said, "today these young people taught me about this 'rap'. I was not following what they were saying," but his single "You want another rap?" (listen above) has, according to Reuters, become a "smash hit," after a somewhat unorthodox recording process:

The Absurdly Racist Fax a Congresswoman Got for Bashing NASCAR

Adrian Chen · 02/17/11 11:34PM

If you get a fax these days, you know nothing good will come from it. Oh, a fax came for me? Please send it right through the shredder then light it on fire and throw the ashes into a volcano. Because who sends faxes anymore? Racist NASCAR fans, that's who!

Jon Stewart Weighs In on Silvio Berlusconi's Giant Balls

Gawker.TV · 02/17/11 11:20PM

"Now I know why Venice is sinking—it's under the weight of Silvio Berlusconi's giant balls." So said Jon Stewart at the beginning of tonight's Daily Show, wherein he detailed the shocking, unrepentant behavior of Italy's Prime Minister. [Gawker.TV]

30 Rock: Liz Lemon's Breakup Is Everyone's Breakup

Gawker.TV · 02/17/11 10:52PM

On tonight's 30 Rock, Liz Lemon came into the TGS writer's room with an announcement: she was absolutely *fine* following her breakup with Carol. So fine, in fact, that she'd adopted a cat—Emily Dickinson—and a fanny pack! [Gawker.TV]

30 Rock: Liz Lemon's Breakup Is Everyone's Breakup

Matt Cherette · 02/17/11 10:47PM

On tonight's 30 Rock, Liz Lemon came into the TGS writer's room with an announcement: she was absolutely *fine* following her breakup with Carol. So fine, in fact, that she'd adopted a cat—Emily Dickinson—and a fanny pack!

John Mulaney on Drag Queens

Leah Beckmann · 02/17/11 09:00PM

John Mulaney wonders so many things about drag queens. Like, why is your notion of femininity a housewife in a Farside cartoon? And also, why are you mean?

High School Wrestler Refuses to Wrestle a Girl

Adrian Chen · 02/17/11 08:33PM

16-year-old Iowa wrestling star Joel Northrup forfeited a match at the state tournament today because he was paired with a girl, Cassy Herkelman. He said in a statement, "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." According to the AP, Northrup attends a Pentecostal church that forbids men and women from touching in a "familiar way." So, uh, congratulations, Cassy Herkelman?

Singer Faces 20 Years In Prison for YouTube Prank on Kids

Adrian Chen · 02/17/11 08:00PM

21-year-old Michigan resident Evan Emory currently faces 20 years in prison for "manufacturing child sexual abusive material". His crime: He posted a YouTube video that made it appear he was singing an explicit song to a classroom of elementary students.

LIVE: American Idol, Season 10, Episode 10

Gawker.TV · 02/17/11 07:03PM

Hello again! Tonight, American Idol is back—at 8:00 PM ET on FOX—with another Hollywood Week episode. So, stop what you're doing, get in front of the television (and your computer, duh), and join us for our live-blog! [Gawker.TV]

LIVE: American Idol, Season 10, Episode 10

Matt Cherette · 02/17/11 07:00PM

Hello again! Tonight, American Idol is back—at 8:00 PM ET on FOX—with another Hollywood Week episode. So, stop what you're doing, get in front of the television (and your computer, duh), and join us for our live-blog!

This Is Steve Jobs' Demolished House

Remy Stern · 02/17/11 06:45PM

This used to be the home of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. This week it was totally demolished. Destroyed. Blown to smithereens. Gizmodo hired a plane to see the destruction from the air. Here are the photos and video. [Gizmodo]

Fashion Week Saunters Into the Home Stretch

Brian Moylan · 02/17/11 06:29PM

It's time for all the designers, models, and assorted hangers on to finally head home and get over the constant champagne buzz of New York Fashion Week. Yes, today is the final day of the festivities, and we're still bringing you the best images of the day, like this model at Elie Tahari, who does not want to be messed with. [Image via Getty]

Death Penalty in Botched Florida Ninja Murders

Hamilton Nolan · 02/17/11 06:15PM

Today's most sickening news story: onetime karate instructor Patrick Gonzalez was sentenced to death today, after being found guilty of "leading a group of men dressed like ninjas" into a Florida couple's home and killing them as their nine adopted children—all with special needs, like autism—slept or looked on in horror. The killers reportedly thought that the couple was hiding millions of dollars in their house. "The men took an unopened safe from the home that contained nothing of value, but a second safe that wasn't stolen had $164,000 in cash, court records show." [AP, photo via AP]