Dan.slauson

Google's autocomplete, as visualized by @Amazing_maps, discloses the questions that everyone is asking. [via]

The Pew Internet and American Life project has released a new report on reading, called E-Reading Rises as Device Ownership Jumps. It surveys American book-reading habits, looking at both print books and electronic books, as well as audiobooks. They report that ebook readership is increasing, and also produced a "snapshot" (above) showing readership breakdown by gender, race, and age. They show strong reading affinity among visible minorities and women, and a strong correlation between high incomes and readership. The most interesting number for me is that 76 percent of Americans read at least one book last year, which is much higher than I'd have guessed.

E-Reading Rises as Device Ownership Jumps (via Jim Hines)

The notion of an epic comedy seems oxymoronic—comedies tend to be fleet and compact, opting to leave the viewer wanting more rather than risk overextending an initially hilarious concept until it loses its punch. (“If it bends, it’s funny. If it breaks, it’s not funny.” —Alan Alda, Crimes And Misdemeanors.) It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, however, doesn’t know from restraint, starting with the repetition in its title. The original cut of the film reportedly clocked in at five hours, and even the final release version runs close to three; it boasts a dozen major characters split at one point across five separate plot strands, and features dozens of blink-and-miss-’em cameos, including such legends as Jerry Lewis, Jack Benny, and The Three Stooges. The result is as bloated and misshapen as it sounds, with a panoply of clashing comedic styles and as many dead spots as laughs. The sheer ...

Since 2007, TV Club has dissected television episode by episode. Beginning this September, The A.V. Club will also step back to take a wider view in our new TV Reviews section. With pre-air reviews of new shows, returning favorites, and noteworthy finales, TV Reviews doesn’t replace TV Club—as usual, some shows will get the weekly treatment—but it adds a look at a bigger picture.

Doing sketch comedy really well is incredibly difficult, mostly because it’s just so easy to fail completely. And though the form has a long history on TV, its major successes are few and far between: For every Saturday Night Live or Chappelle’s Show, there’s a dozen Acceptable TVs or Frank TVs. Sketch is also a tough sell to both networks and audiences according to Bob Odenkirk, executive-producer and co-star of IFC’s new series The Birthday Boys ...

With Donald Glover set to appear in just five episodes of Community this season, it seems only right that the rest of the cast might be a little miffed at him for bailing. If the Vine Alison Brie posted yesterday is any indication, Glover could be taking the brunt of the cast’s punishment via his groin. In the clip, Glover and Gillian Jacobs play “Dick Hits,” which is basically comprised of semi-full water bottles being hurled at Glover’s crotch, all while he stands there and takes it. The clip’s only six seconds long, but includes at least one solid dick hit and one that Glover claims “hit the tip,” so it’s like the best parts of America’s Funniest Home Videos, but with all your Greendale pals. 

With a new album, Event II, out Oct. 1, Deltron 3030 has announced a relatively extensive North American tour. A full list of dates is below, but it’s worth noting here that a number of the stops will feature not only the stylings of Dan The Automator, Del The Funky Homosapien, Kid Koala, and a three-piece backing band, but also an accompanying 16-piece orchestra.

For those who don’t see their town listed below, don’t dismay. More dates are coming in the near future.

Deltron 3030 tour 2013
Sept. 8—Rock The Bells—Los Angeles, California #
Sept. 15—Rock The Bells—San Francisco, California #
Oct. 8—Paradise—Boston, Massachusetts
Oct. 9—Brooklyn Bowl—Brooklyn, New York #
Oct. 10—Howard Theater—Washington D.C.
Oct. 11—Jefferson Theater—Charlottesville, Virginia #
Oct. 13—Theatre Of The Living Arts—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #
Oct. 14—Highline Ballroom—New York, New York #
Oct. 16 ...

This Charming Charlie masterfully blends Peanuts comics with lyrics by The Smiths. (Thanks, Chris Arkenberg!)

Whether somebody putting a 45 of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" on 33 rpm was a careless accident or intentional experiment, the result is incredible. Parton's high-pitched voice goes down a few octaves, and the slower tempo makes the yearning in the lyrics all the more heartfelt. Bask in the beauty below, but please note: Multiple listens are encouraged.

[via Twenty Two Words]