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Each week our culture scientists rank their 10 favorite things in the universe. The resulting list is infallible. The list is perfect. If you don't agree with the list, you are wrong.
Some items may stay atop the list for weeks, others may only make a
brief appearance. Some items are Portland-centric, but only because
Portland is at the center of the universe. Please do not write to us,
asking for the metrics behind the list. We will not provide source
material. We will not be swayed. Bow down to the list. Love the list, as
the list loves all things. Let the list move through you. (And, you
know, if you have suggestions for the list, stick them in the comments
section below.)
1. SNL's Linsanity skit
The life-imitates-art serendipity of SNL's perfect skewering of the American sports media's casual racism towards Jeremy Lin and the simultaneous Internet meltdown over ESPN's inexplicable, inexcusable "Chink in the Armor" headline.
It takes a very special brand of stupidity to be more offensive than a
room full of comedy writers. Also: was that not the best SNL episode of the season so far?
2. Girl Scout Cookie season!
Back in the list for a second week! Horde them! Stockpile them! You'll thank us come summertime, when you have all of the cookies!!!
3. Wimpy's burger now comes with a fried egg.
This is not the sign of a new trend, or a typification of Portland
cuisine, or something The New York Times will send an old man to write
about. But they should, because this is the best happy-hour burger in
town, and now it has a fried egg. For $3.
4. Ebbe Roe Smith
The Portland actor and playwright is presently starring in a comedy he wrote about
a washed-up Hollywood screenwriter who wrote one well-received revenge
flick and then squandered his talent on uncredited rewrites of bad
action movies. Why? Because Smith wrote the Michael Douglas revenge
thriller Falling Down and then squandered his talent on uncredited rewrites of Mad City, U.S. Marshals and Nick of Time (for which he was reportedly paid $1 million). We should all be so willing to mock ourselves.
5. Little Dog
Hair of the Dog Brewing's Alan Sprints poured his "Little Dog" at this weekend's
Zwickelmania, with curt tasting notes: "low in alcohol, high in hops." That
about says it—it's an unusual and very delicious beer.
6. Daniel Clowes' Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron
The Ghostworld creator's creepiest book ever—it rivals Charles Burns' Black Hole
for sheer ick factor—is coming back into print. This one is seriously
fucked-up, though Clowes' '50s advertising-influenced artwork helps
soften the blow. We hope someone is making a movie of it!
WWeek 2015