Pet Rock: The Pop Culture Blog

While scanning the Web for free music to download at work (I know, don't judge me!), I discovered this cool Wu-Tang mixtape, "14 Deadly Secrets" by Germany's DJ Derezon. It's free to download! Hear some of your favorite Wu-Tang Clan songs along with commentary from RZA about how the group got put on the map, why they use acronyms like C.R.E.A.M., his thoughts on Biggie and more. It's pretty hilarious and interesting if you're into the Wu. Stop what you're doing and click here to download this now!

And while you're waiting, check out "Ice Cream," one of my favorite Wu-Tang songs and the first time the Wu ever put girls in their video. Enjoy!

It's official: VH1 loves hip hop. VH1 is offering up two shows bound to keep hip hop fans happily entertained and noddin' their heads, too. (See past debate on top 5 MCs of all time.)

First up, VH1 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs tonight at 10 p.m. This is genius! We all love those TV shows that count down everything, such as worst celebrity mug shots, hottest celebrity moms, etc. And now, a countdown show paying tribute to hip hop's finest and the songs that illustrated their urban, sometimes gritty lifestyle. I can't wait to tune in!

Here's my beef: "Rapper's Delight" by Sugar Hill gang is No. 2 on the list. What gives? I understand the song popularized the genre, but they didn't write all their own rhymes and are not true hip hop pioneers in my opinion. However, I'm very pleased that female rap duo Salt 'N Pepa cracked the top 10 with their hit "Push It." I guess there is some justice in the world.

My TiVo will be kickin' into overdrive when VH1 Hip Hop Honors airs on Monday, October 6 at 10 p.m. This year's awards ceremony honors rap artists Slick Rick, Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, and Too Short. I'm hoping to see the honorees perform some hip hop classics like "Children's Story" by Slick Rick or the hook of "O.P.P." by Naughty By Nature.

In the meantime, let's enjoy these old school videos ...

Back in the day when it was considered cool to go to Sears to buy clothes, that excitement was enhanced by the knowledge that they had a candy shop and my grandparents were more than likely to purchase a bag of Swedish Fish for us.

I got hooked quick, like Chris Rock and crack in "New Jack City."

For the next 25+ years, I've been a huge fan of these tasty, chewy fishies. They go so well with every meal. Mix in a little Mountain Dew and they make Jolt, Vivarin and No-Doz look like tap water.

So when Pet Rock scored the invite recently to a Swedish Fish event at Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan, you can imagine our excitement. Unlimited supply of fish? Music? Drinks? Um, hello!

Dylan's Candy Bar is already a taste of paradise for us sweet tooths (or is it sweet teeth?). But when the Swedish Fish folks took over the place, it was enchantment under the sea.

Schools of fish sitting in fish bowls waiting for us to eat them. Air-brush tattoos of Swedish Fish. Fish-tinis. Fish-mopolitans. Swedish Fish sushi! Yes indeed, Swedish Fish sushi! It was a little red Swedish Fish wrapped in sticky rice and a sour candy strip. A unique taste. A major sugar rush.

The DJ playing "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent was an especially nice touch.

Oh yeah, forgot the main reason we were all there. It was their new ad campaign launch. The slogan goes like this: "Swedish Fish: A Friend You Can Eat."

Yeah, yeah, we know, we know, but don't you wish all your friends could taste that good?!?

And I thought CBS would forever hold the "Most Lame and Excessive Use of On-screen Graphics" championship belt when they started using StatTrax on the first play of NFL games.

Oh yes, that's correct. Brett Favre completes a pass on the first play of the game and it would flash on the top of the screen: Favre 1-1, 9 yds.

But on Friday night, at the first presidential debate, CNN reached back across the aisle and snatched the title from CBS with its "Audience Reaction" meter.

The meter tracked Democrats' reaction with a blue line, Republicans in red and Independents in green.

Guess what?

Every time Barack Obama spoke, the blue line was on top as the most positive reaction.

Every time John McCain spoke, the red line was on top as the most positive reaction.

And there, in the middle nearly the entire night, was the green line of Independents.

OMG! OMG! OMG! That's sooooooooo shocking.

Seriously, CNN. Let's rethink that one for the Thursday's vice-presidential debate, please.

If you're not already watching "30 Rock," then you're just not smart.

Watch the clip below as "30 Rock" star Tina Fey does a second turn on "Saturday Night Live" as Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin. She nailed it . . . again!

I'm very much a proponent of bringing money into a casino and hoping to walk out of that casino with more money and less ATM receipts.

But every time this "My Mohegan" commercial airs on TV, it makes me think that playing the stock market right now is a better investment. Watch the commercial below and tell me if you agree that it's the lamest commercial on television right now.

I do! I do! I do!

OK, I've calmed down a bit. OK, not really.

But I've gathered myself enough to report this little ditty for all you "Gossip Girl" and "Entourage" fans. (Yes, fellas, she's on Entourage, too; plays Justine Chapin)

On Thursday, Oct. 2, smokin' hot Leighton Meester will team up with Marshalls in the "Take a Stand" against domestic violence runway event at noon in Manhattan's Union Square. The event goes til 2 p.m., giving eager folks a full 120 minutes to embrace the gorgeousness of Ms. Meester.

Oh yeah, the first 100 people to donate a pair of gently worn shoes will net themselves a free pair of new shoes. And for every shoe purchase at Marshalls from Oct. 2 to 16, the store is donating $1 to Safe Horizon.

See, you can pseudo-stalk celebs and still find the time to do charitable work.

(AP Photo)

Dude, Michelle Obama just e-mailed me!

OK, so it was part of a blanket e-mail to anyone who signed up for such alerts on democrats.org. (NOTE: Pet Rock remains politically neutral in its bloggage. The only reason my e-mail was submitted to that site was because Pet Rock covered the DNC and needed to stay in the loop. Pet Rock wholeheartedly believes in not using its voice to push any political agenda, ever.)

She wanted to inform me (and the masses) about Debate Watch Party. Hmmm, I've heard of the "Party of Five" drinking game, am preparing for tonight's "Grey's Anatomy Guessing Game," and once watched Lawyer friend Steve drink a beer an inning during a playoff baseball game, but what exactly is a Debate Watch Party? Seems to me we'd want to stress coherency for this type of event, no?

In the latest use of the Internet to reach the masses, the Barack Obama people have created a Debate Watch Party. As have the John McCain people at McCain Nation.

They encourage people to gather as one (preferably within your own party, I'm guessing) to watch the debate, the discuss the issues and all that jazz. There's even a ZIP code finder to search for parties in your area. Impressive use of technology to reach the masses.

Again, Pet Rock doesn't care who you vote for. Pet Rock cares that you cast an educated vote.

Of course, whether or not this debate actually happens on Friday, that's a whole other story.

Rock the vote!

Debate schedule

Sept. 26: Presidential debate with foreign policy focus, University of Mississippi (Oxford)
Oct. 2: Vice Presidential debate, Washington University (St. Louis)
Oct. 7: Presidential debate in a town hall format, Belmont University (Nashville)
Oct. 15: Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, Hofstra University (Hempstead)

My ears perked up when intern Matthew, sitting near me, said "Holy crap, Natalie Portman is single again. I'm in."

I hate to break it to Matt, but he will not date Natalie Portman.

Why?

Because I would handcuff him to a bike rack and leave him there while I courted the "Garden State" beauty.

In all seriousness, it's being reported that Portman, 27, and Devendra Banhart have broken up.

Click photo for source.

I know Portman used to live in this Sea Cliff home, but she's since moved. If she's living in New York, someone holler at her for me.

(Fox Photos)

My DVR yelled at me for not having enough free space on Monday night to record a late-night movie (and no, I don't get Cinemax), so it was time to finally get caught up on the new version of "90210."

I wholeheartedly admit to being a huge fan of the original "Beverly Hills 90210," just like the rest of the world, so I was quite open-minded to the new show.

Lucky for us fellas, Kelly Taylor returned to the new series. And she's a mom now, with 4-year-old Sammy occupying her free time.

The overwhelming presumption is that Dylan is the baby daddy. For the first few episodes, the father was only referred to as "He" or "Him." Then in the third episode, Brenda Walsh finally yells out Dylan's name and that Kelly has always had a thing for him.

But did you see Kelly's facial reaction? And do you understand TV drama? And did you hear that "90210" just got picked up for another nine episodes this season, giving them a full 22-show season?

Add it all up and you get my new crazy "90210" baby daddy theory: Brandon Walsh is the father of Sammy Taylor!

Yes, indeed, it's an extreme thought that the Minnesota-raised do-gooder Brandon would be an absentee father. But that's the beauty of this plot twist.

To be clear, I have no knowledge of the accuracy of this plotline and I'm not playing spoiler. Rather, it's just a theory, and isn't that what Internet TV speculation is all about?