Declarative PBS host and multimedia phenomenon Tavis Smiley is ending his "State of the Black Union" conference after ten years, because he needs time for other projects like—seriously—publishing R. Kelly's memoirs. Post-racial world, you're a wondrous place! [AP]

If you weren't invited to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's $5 million New Year's party in St. Barts—or you were invited but you elected to spend the evening in Times Square with a blue foam hat strapped to your head instead—here's some of what you missed. [Gawker]

Making the rounds today is the promotional clip for the new season of Man Vs. Wild. Host Bear Grylls always seems to out-do himself and this clip is not for the faint of heart. Warning: hope you already ate lunch!

Theoretical Physicist Dr. Michio Kaku was discussing the possible energy alternatives to rocket fuel on The Science Channel's new show Sci-Fi Science. Where did they go for reasonable suggestions? A sci-fi convention of course!

Most troubling line from the New York Times' article about child-prodigy gameshow Our Little Genius: "...it is the parents of the contestant who decide whether to advance to the next question or to stick with the money they have already won."

The attached picture, of a Facebook playboy's sweethearted proposal to his Googler girlfriend, did not come cheap: It was shot in a private air taxi above the Maldives, a remote haven for wealthy tourists. Dave Morin has struck again.

What do you think retail chains like H&M do with all the perfectly good clothing that they don't manage to sell? If you guessed "slash it to shreds and dump it in the garbage," give yourself a prize.

Now you can copy-edit Dan Gillmor's book drafts. Where will the internet take us next?!

The BBC's Charlie Brooker provides a very clear explanation of the deceptiveness and tomfoolery inherent in the process of reality TV editing.

According to TMZ, Gary Coleman was rushed to the hospital at 8:03 this morning. From Different Strokes to his own animated show to high school security guard to Divorce Court, Gary Coleman's has always lived his life on TV.

Sometimes it takes a wacky comedy show montage to remind you how completely ok casual racism still is on the TV. Last night's Daily Show featured this Glenn Beck classic, on how dirty and stupid Indians are.

And our question is, 'Will it work?' Neil Patrick Harris, fresh from his June hosting duties on The 63rd Annual Tony Awards will be featured singing about the only thing his character, Barney Stinson, loves more than women: suits.

Good news, cigarette fans: A judge (in Kentucky, of course) ruled that tobacco companies can use a wide array of colors in their cigarette ads. Bad news: Also full-color will be the graphic, mandatory "You will die" warnings, complete with nasty photos. Good news: Phillip Morris is willing to work with the FDA to gently guide you, the cigarette fan, towards a healthier lifestyle replete with a variety of smokeless tobacco options. For your health.
Bad news: "A cigarette manufacturer is not a physician."
[Pic: Copyranter]

In Commentary, Jennifer Rubin attempted to explain why The Jews hate Sarah Palin. (Because they hate Real Americans, is basically her answer.) David Frum rebuts: she is just scary to everyone! Both leave out one hugely important detail.

Crime procedurals always consist of three plot points, a wrongful arrest and a twist. So we've done the work for you. Here's last nights NCIS: Los Angeles in 60 seconds. Now do something with that extra hour of your life.

Seriously, folks— We're not sure if people falling onto the subway tracks is happening more often or if the morning news shows just happen to have easy access to the footage. Today's brush with death comes out of Oregon.

If you're stupid or improvident enough to covet a "career" in journalism-type-stuff, why not start with a Gawker internship? In exchange for stressful labor under constant deadlines, you'll get nothing valuable experience at whatever it is we do.

Newark Airport turned into a mess on Sunday when an unidentified man strolled into an area reserved for screened passengers. The episode led to an evacuation of Terminal C and delayed thousands of travelers for hours. So how did the guy get past security personnel? The TSA guard at the exit was "chatting on his cell phone at the moment of the trespass." Naturally. [NYDN, NYDN]

Here's a brilliant flip book of Super Mario, re-imagined as Jesus, kicking ass and taking names. Even the princess isn't safe from a brutal kick to the face.

Flying can be scary enough as it is. We're not sure how we'd handle sitting by this nutjob on a plane. Oh wait, we'd probably film it and upload it to YouTube, just like this group of friends did.