Still mad about Mad Men

I've been raving about comedies lately, but the best drama on TV is AMC's Mad Men. Gorgeous photography, art direction and costuming, incredible writing, flawless casting and impeccable acting. Not to mention the time capsule appeal of a show set in 1960 corporate America.

Alas, the season finale has aired and the new shows won't come on until Summer 2008. In the meantime, catch up on iTunes or OnDemand or you'll be in the dark come next Emmy time when this show sweeps.

Listen to Sarah

Rewatching the first season of The Sarah Silverman Program on DVD has reminded me of how genius the show is. And not just because it showcases the singularly sick and twisted talents of my favorite comedian, Sarah Silverman. This series takes the stained and dusty Persian rug of sitcom formulas and shakes it over the balcony railing within an inch of its loomed life.

Adding to the joy, the casting and acting are simply aces and all the cleverly written A and B story lines are peppered with throwaway genius. Yes, the new golden age of comedy is shining oh so brightly. And hooray that chicks like Silverman and Fey are leading the way.

Round 'em up

Actor/writer Jeremy Rowley is a very funny guy, as you'll see if you watch this interview where he plays a Canadian border patrol officer.

Konsumer Korner

Today's featured item is found in the dairy aisle of most Whole Foods market locations: Wallaby's Organic Yogurt made in the "down under" style (a.k.a. on the Australia tip, yo). While designer yogurts promising optimized digestion or a more intangible kind of inner peace have quickly populated the refrigerated retail shelves, few are worthy of special distinction.

Since my personal trainer wants me eating a little protein every couple of hours, I have been on a yogurt binge—ravenously sampling new brands and flavors to acquire the ultimate yogurt experience.

Lately, it's been two main contenders: Wallaby's Organic Lowfat Banana Vanilla Yogurt (pictured above) and Liberte's Lowfat Six Grains Yogurt in Pear. Both are sublimely mild and silky smooth. But while Liberte has the texture perk of whole grains like barley mixed in, Wallaby's wins on sheer comfort food points.

If you frequent a Whole Foods, do yourself a flavor favor and pick up one or both of these beneficial bovine offerings.

Until next time on Konsumer Korner, save room for seconds!

The Neurotic Pickup Artist

This hilarious McSweeney's piece by Frank Ferri called "The Neurotic Pickup Artist" is a hoot. A sneak peak:

"Are your legs tired? Because you've been running through my mind all day. Just remember to stay plenty hydrated. We are in a bar, and drinking alcohol—though it may seem counterintuitive—can lead to dehydration. After all, it's a diuretic. So if you were running all day and now you're drinking martinis, you could be in danger without even realizing it. Are you having headaches? Is your urine dark? Where are you going?"

Gee. It's darling, but limited.

While some reviews have nit-picked The Darjeeling Limited as a weak effort on the Crowned Prince of Quirky's part, I'm a true blue Wes Anderson fan and will forgive him of almost any indulgence. The first few frames into the film, I was already savoring his signature art direction niceties. While the story is decidedly undercooked, the flavors it evokes are delectably piquant.

India is the setting for most of the film and it provides environments both succulent and stark to frame the fumbling story of a synthetic spiritual journey taken by three semi-estranged brothers—the bandaged Owen Wilson, mustachioed Jason Schwartzman and pec-baring Adrien Brody (not so at home in the comedy genre, but I give him credit for being game).

Anderson and cowriters Roman Coppola and Schwartzman fleshed out the script as they traveled India themselves and the loosey-goosey preparation process is evident in the scattershot plot. Still, the camaraderie of the trio, the disarming goofiness of the dialogue, the cultural visual masala of India and the terrific supporting cast (especially Amara Karan as the sly, but wide-eyed "stewardess") scheme to make The Darjeeling Limited an irresistible monogrammed hippie trip.

Thank heaven for little boys

You haven't really lived until you've had an innocent 14-month-old waddle up to give you a kiss on the cheek when all you did to earn that sweeter-than-sweet show of affection was to say "beep, beep" every time he pushed a button on his toy. Sometimes the world does make sense.

Paris in the (that's) hot seat

David Letterman deserves some kind of civic award for keeping America's drunk-driving corporate princess on pins and needles during this comedy-of-torture interview.