Monday Medley

What we read while they protested Mark Zuckerberg’s wedding in Chicago…

• Though Community was picked up for a fourth season, Dan Harmon will no longer be the showrunner. Despite the prayers of cast members and fans, Sony did not renew his contract. It also does not sound like Harmon is open to returning in a lesser capacity. Can the show survive without its primary creative force (not to mention those leaving out of loyalty to Harmon)?

• What new shows look the most promising?

• A New York judge blocked part of the controversial National Defense Authorization Act for chilling speech. Also, a judge from the Ninth Circuit questioned the government on the existence of the “No Fly” List. In other judicial news, the origin story of the Citizens United case.

• Noam Chomsky compares Obama and Bush.

Monday Medley

What we read while praying for Mariano’s ACL…

• Adam Yauch, or MCA of the Beastie Boys, died last week at the age of 47. He was a founding member of one of the most influential and pioneering acts in hip-hop. Yauch was often cited as the conscience of the group, which was often noted for its conscience–whether they were calling out the widespread misogyny in hip-hop, or opposing American foreign policy.

• In other news from the music world, some thoughts on the recent anniversary of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

• The Occupy movement mobilized for May Day last week, organizing a series of protests that were (shockingly) met with police resistance. The scenes were oddly familiar. In other Occupy news, the scenes from UC Davis last fall were actually not as bad as they looked; they were worse.

• Jeff MacGregor on the aged gracefulness of Rivera and Martin Brodeur.

• Junior Seau’s death just added to the unbelievable curse of the ’94 Chargers, chronicled back in 2008 by Les Carpenter.

• One of Mitt Romney’s former employees claims the rich aren’t rich enough. Meanwhile, what would a President Romney’s foreign policy look like?

• On the death of Community‘s beloved ancillary character, Starburns.

• The hypocrisy of Paul Ryan.

• Descriptions of Breaking Bad episodes that also describe the series.

• President Obama, as told by his ex-girlfriends.

• Who is Sarah Phillips? Or who was she, before she got fired?

• We want this Pontiac.