Proof that we still haven’t exhausted the humor potential of the Unisphere:

(More from SNL… Of course you’ve already seen Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, right?)

I enjoy the show “Mad Men” (though I’ve missed the last few episodes, so no spoilers please). One thing that’s intriguing about the show is its attention to detail, with sets meticulously reconstructed to resemble offices and homes in 1960s New York. Every hair is in place.

But Andrew Hearst on the Panopticist blog has noticed that the wheels fall off during the ending credits – which are set in Arial! He does a better job than I can explaining why this is a crime against art:

“This is obviously a small detail. But Mad Men is a show that matches small details as well as any series that’s ever been on the air. Why does such a pitch-perfect show end with such a jarring anachronism?”

Come to think of it, the ending credits of most good shows are usually boring and slap-dash. I wonder why?

I dig this 1990s-inspired music video for Ben Lee’s “American Television”:

Tim Russert could ask uncomfortable questions without losing his subjects’ respect or making his viewers squeamish. That’s because he knew what he was talking about. It’s a good lesson for any journalist. Get well informed before you open your mouth to challenge and criticize.

From an MTV press release:

“Riding high on the successful launch of an accelerated, action packed 13-week episode cycle with more favorite Real World drama packed into 1-hour episodes, MTV has greenlit the hit reality series for a 21st season. Production will move from the west coast to the east coast as Bunim-Murray Productions begins shooting in Brooklyn, NY this summer. Continuing with the new format of expanding the episodes to one-hour, the network has ordered 12 episodes of ‘The Real World: Brooklyn‘ which is scheduled to premiere in Q1 2009.”

Unclear at this time where in Brooklyn the show will take place; some blogs are guessing Carroll Gardens or Williamsburg. If I were in charge, I’d put it in Dumbo.

Also: The 21st season! The Real World first aired in 1992. Wow, I feel old.