New York City. The NYC of 'Gossip Girl' provides an interesting backdrop. They go to a posh school on the Upper East Side, Serena lives in The Palace, they summer in the Hamptons, they eat at Nick & Toni's and Butter, they go to downtown clubs, Dan and Jenny Humphrey live in Brooklyn... most of the places in the show actually exist. And if they don't exist, the places in the show are an over-the-top version of places that do. In '90210' they're still chilling at the Peach Pit (hey Nat -- thank you anonymous poster for correction). And that's about it.

There's a difference between fabulous and ridiculous. Yea right that girl from Kansas (Annie) would have boarded a private jet to San Francisco for a date with the artsy Italian guy she hasn't spoken more than a few words to. Brenda Walsh would never have done that! Blair, on the other hand, getting in a helicopter to summer with Chuck Bass... that was totally in character. Ok, so she's ridiculous too... just a more fabulous ridiculous.

The female characters. Blair, Serena, Jenny Humphrey... they all have their separate personas and are dressed in colorful, fashionable, looks that fit with their character. See examples of Blair in the covet-worthy outfits from the first episode.

In '90210,' well, the female characters are lacking. Both Annie (Brenda Walsh stand-in) and Silver (Kelly's sister) are not just skinny, they look emaciated. They're so thin that I couldn't focus on anything else when they were on screen (see pic of Silver and check out the bony thigh). Then you have the "hot girl," Naomi, who looks about 45. She's Andrea Zuckerman old, but Andrea Zuckerman didn't play the sexy chick. And finally, there's the pill popping drama girl trying to get into movies because her mom can't pay the bills. So over the top in her drug use -- she's stealing purses to pay for her habit, belting out songs in class with red-rimmed eyes -- it's just not right.

While I could go on, there are two characters and one plotline on '90210' that still have me intrigued. What's up with Michael from 'The Wire' showing up as the black Brandon Walsh, Dixon? Seems totally miscast, or maybe that's just because last time I saw him on TV he was with Snoop (watch 'The Wire' immediately if you haven't already). Second intriguing character is the drunken mom from 'Arrested Development' as the drunken mom (grandma) on '90210.' Playing pretty much the same character, but that might not be a bad thing. And the plotline? Brenda Walsh back as bffs with Kelly Taylor, of course.

So, 'Gossip Girl' rules, in my mind at least, but feel free to disagree. That said, I'll still continue watching them both. Even though it's bad, '90210' is still that good kind of bad... for now.

Remember back when that meant you were excited to slap on those new kicks and carry your new "Star Wars" lunch box to school?

Remember now when it means the summer is over and you can't get away with wearing shorts to the office or goofing around because everyone returns their focus to working?

Yeah, that kinda sucks, but alas, such is life. Hark back to the carefree days gone by and celebrate the portrayal of school -- be it high school or college - with this little "Back to School Movies" photo gallery, compliments of Old School Tuesday.

But alas, this T-shirt spotted on Market Street after opening night at the DNC will have to settle for No. 2. Still, it's quite rich.

Armed with the camera and the press pass - which is necessary to cross half the streets around here this week - I stumbled upon this joker.

Turns out his cause -- Trick or Vote -- sounds interesting and (thankfully) non-partisan. Peep the quick vid below.

I couldn't find a TV edit version of this video to embed it here, so you'll have to click here to watch the "None of the Above" scene from Richard Pryor's classic movie "Brewster's Millions."

We know you'll enjoy it, even if you have to have a new window pop up on your screen to watch the clip.

Watch another of Lutton's DNC animations here.

But after security checkpoints on nearly every corner just to get near the major Secret Service security checkpoint, I found myself singing the lyrics to Lil Boosie's song "Wipe Me Down."

Maybe it was the 6 a.m. wakeup call. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it's just the way my mind works. But maybe, just maybe, it was the three bag checks followed up with another bag check, an X-ray scan, a metal detector walkthrough AND a patdown.

Seriously, it makes taking your shoes off at the airport the most reasonable thing anyone has ever asked us to do.

Oh wait, here's the best part. The final security guard doing the pat down took a pot shot at me. I guess he didn't like my Jets T-shirt (dude, it was hot and a long walk and I didn't want to sweat up my real shirt).

"The Jets?!?" he said emphatically.

"Why, what team do you like?" I asked.

"I'm a college football fan, but you're wearing a Jets shirt so I figured I'd make fun of you."

"Well, sir" I responded, quickly gauging how much I should try to get away with. "Your gun is bigger than my gun, so I have no choice but to take that from you. Have a grand day."

The 20 or so folks who told me "Dude, it's one crazy party" (give or take a curse word) were right. Of course, they left out the part about Monday-Thursday being one crazy work day. But on Saturday night, they threw a big media party at Elitch Gardens, a sort-of Six Flags-y kinda place.

Some pretty fun stuff. Have a look at the video me and Photographer friend Tommy whipped up. The next-to-last scene is our favorite. We'll have more fun all week, interspersed with our regular Pet Rock goodies from the rest of our of Pet Rockers that you all know and love.

- La Monica

It was a classic '80s kung fu movie, although more '80s than kung fu. Sho'Nuff was the antagonist to Bruce Leroy, the good guy who only uses his kung fu skills for good.

There's not a human who grew up in the '80s that didn't shed a tear when they heard Sho'Nuff died Aug. 19 in Los Angeles. Heck, I'm in Denver right now for the DNC and I should be sleeping, but I can't stop watching clips of Sho'Nuff on YouTube.

He definitely was the master (even if he did lose the epic battle for the glow at the end of the movie). Here's a little clip from the movie to help pay our respects to Carry.

It seems Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale have one love, one heart for the island of Jamaica. 'Nuff respect!

Gwen gave birth to the couple's second child, a boy, on Thursday. Zuma Nesta Rock weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces, according to the singer's publicist Dave Tomberlin.

Nesta happens to be reggae legend Bob Marley's original name, according to the Web site babynames.com, although other sites say it's Bob's middle name.

And big brother Kingston is named for Jamaica's capital.

As for Zuma: There are several theories where that came from. Some are speculating it came from Zuma Beach in Malibu, Calif. where the Stefani-Rossdale clan likes to hang out. Zuma is also the name of a video game.

We're guessing they didn't check the the baby names Web site mentioned above. If they had, they may have reconsidered their selection. According to the site, Zuma is an Aztec name which means: Lord Frowns In Anger. Oh baby!

Before Gwen was popping out kids, the former No Doubt frontwoman sported rock hard abs and a very punk look. Check out this video of her singing "Don't Speak" on MTV and reminisce.

-- Miss G

Photo credit: AP