Jersey Shore: Ron and Sam Break-Up Theater

Kate Shapiro · 02/11/11 11:30AM

This week on Jersey Shore, our thespians once again find themselves in the midst of the heart-breaking tragedy that is Ron and Sam. Last night's break-up featured rage-fueled furniture breaking, revenge hook-ups and lots of running mascara.

Groupon Pulls Super Bowl Ads: What Else Will Go Wrong?

Hamilton Nolan · 02/11/11 11:28AM

Incessant coupon-offering behemoth Groupon made a jokey Super Bowl ad about Tibet that didn't go over well with... well, anyone. (Yes, even though it was for charity, okay.) After a week of vague public anger about this relatively unimportant topic, the company is finally pulling the ads, reasoning—correctly—that the drama is not accomplishing the ostensible purpose of the ads, which is to help Groupon become a mighty, unavoidable middleman in the buying and selling of goods in America.

Which Singer Gets Happy Endings from His Private Masseuse?

Brian Moylan · 02/11/11 11:01AM

The rock star has a woman on staff to deal with his needs. This actor gets lap dances in his trailer during his lunch break. This magazine editor used to get her hair blow dried daily. We all have our indulgences.

Capybara Relaxes in the Shower

Madeleine Davies · 02/11/11 10:00AM

Living in the zoo can be stressful, but as this adorable capybara discovers, it's nothing that can't be washed away by a nice hot shower.

Venezuelan Politicians Brawl in the National Assembly

Hamilton Nolan · 02/11/11 09:15AM

Venezuelan politicians: when they're not holding boob job fundraisers, they're brawling in the national assembly, as they did yesterday, when this spat between a pro and an anti-Chavez legislator turned into one of those big "everybody rush the stage and watch other people pushing each other" nightclub-style fights. Sure, you could say "Incidents like this and the cheap jokes they inspire just prove that Americans don't pay attention to other countries unless they do something bad and sensational," but that's kind of the point.

Freeze Frame

Whitney Jefferson · 02/11/11 09:00AM

Can you guess what movie this image comes from? Check back for the answer at 4pm today.

'Aging Pipelines' Will Kill Us All

Max Read · 02/11/11 07:02AM

We will all die eventually, yes, but now we know what will kill us: Aging pipelines! Well, not the pipelines specifically, so much as the explosions that will occur when natural gas leaks from those aging pipelines and then sparks and blows up, as happened in Allentown, Pa. on Thursday, killing six. There is, according to The Wall Street Journal, a "growing consensus that the U.S. has a problem with aging infrastructure," also, "federal investigators... are concerned about the accuracy of utility records on pipelines they operate"; a bill has been proposed to improve pipeline safety but it's unclear whether Republicans will support it. Of course. Look: Just don't light any matches for a while, okay? [WSJ via TDB]

We Produce Six Newspapers' Worth of Information a Day

Max Read · 02/11/11 05:56AM

Did you know that you—if you are an average-type person—produce six newspapers' worth of information a day? And, get this, you receive 174 newspapers' worth of information. This is according to scientists, of course, who

Egyptian Military Backs Mubarak

Max Read · 02/11/11 05:02AM

Who thinks Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's hilarious fake-out announcement that he's staying in office was good idea? Well, Mubarak, probably, and his vice president, Omar Suleiman. And, apparently, Egyptian military leaders, who, in a statement read aloud on national television, backed Mubarak's "plan" for a peaceful transfer of power, encouraging protestors to go home.

Man Brings Flowers to Ex, Shoots Her in Face

Max Read · 02/11/11 04:01AM

Alexander Figueroa, a 38-year-old ex-con, reportedly brought flowers to his ex-wife Guimmia Villa at the pharmacy where she worked on Thursday. He then shot her, returned to his apartment, and committed suicide. Villa had orders of protection against Figueroa in both Queens and Nassau County; one had expired in January. Figueroa had done time for murder in the 1990s. [NYP]

The Best Scientology Video You'll See Today

Max Read · 02/11/11 03:15AM

Sure, Scientology may just be a front for slave-built motorcycles for celebrities, but it's got a positive side! For example, did you know that Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard was also a songwriter? Don't take our word for it! Watch actor/bon vivant Frank Stallone, clad in leather slacks, sing two of Hubbard's fantastic songs, live in concert. "Hey," you may find yourself asking, "is that onetime teen idol Leif Garrett?" You bet it is! Sample lyric: "You are not minds/Or chemicals/You don't even have a phone/You're in a trap/Of senseless minds/And baby it's time to be reborn." [via minge]

Arizona Sues Feds Over Stupid Law

Max Read · 02/11/11 02:24AM

In the wake of a federal judge's ruling that parts of Arizona's crazy immigration law are unconstitutional, the state has decided to sue the federal government for "failing to secure the border." The nation collectively rolls its eyes. [KTAR]

Should a KKK Grand Wizard Get a Special License Plate?

Max Read · 02/11/11 01:36AM

Should Mississippi honor Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest by giving him a special license plate? Probably not, no. But the Mississippi Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans seems to think it would be a good idea, having proposed a commemorative Forrest License plate for 2014 as part of a series of license plates that "mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which it calls the 'War Between the States.'"