Ill Doctrine offers up a video clip explaining “No Homo,” a phrase found in hip hop culture.

(via comment on DCist by Hillrat)

In November, MTV will finally put its cash cow out to pasture. “TRL” — short for “Total Request Live” — will end its ten-year run with a two-hour special.

After over 12 years and 5,140 performances, the critically-acclaimed musical Rent closes up shop on Broadway tonight. In a little while I imagine.

If I had my way, I’d be up in New York right now to take in the final performance. In lieu of that, I’ll have to wait for a screening of the final performance at the end of the month. Looking at next year’s tour schedule, it doesn’t look like they’ll be visiting D.C. or Baltimore; Philly appears to be the closest stop.

I consider myself something of a minor Renthead. Though I can’t count how many times I’ve listened to the cast and movie albums (Is “lots and lots and lots” a number?), I’ve only seen it staged three times. Only once, my first time, was on Broadway; the others were at the Warner Theatre here in D.C. I hoped to see it on Broadway one last time before closing. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

At left is what I’ve always referred to as my first exposure to Rent: a Newsweek cover from 1996. I was a subscriber at the time.

I’m saddened that it’s leaving the New York theatre world, but if current trends are any indication, it’ll be revived eventually.

In a world where a movie trailer voiceover artist became a pop culture icon, Don LaFontaine passed away yesterday, just days after his 68th birthday.

Below is his appearance in a recent GEICO commercial.

Fantasmagorie, the first animated film produced and released to the public, turns 100 this year.

To commemorate the anniversary, a remake of Fantasmagorie was produced, and in 3D based on the stills.

Sen. John McCain is a “Dancing Queen”; he apparently ♥s ABBA. Check out some other pop culture favorites of both presidential candidates.

PLUS: Sen. Barack Obama will announce his choice for Vice President by text message. Srsly. IDK who else is being considered, but Virgina Gov. Tim Kaine’s been getting lots of buzz. Like 4 realz.

If you want to be the “first to know,” text VP to 62262.

There was a time when I could name most of the nations of the world. This was mostly thanks to the song “Yakko’s World” from the animated series “Animaniacs.” The list in that song was by no means complete, and in some cases totally inaccurate. There is no such country as San Juan, for example; it’s a locality in many nations around the world (that is, city or county), though it’s probably best known as the capital of Puerto Rico. (I say that based on a Google search for san juan.)