Before we start with the pop cult vivisection, your Uncle Grambo would like to provide the FOW Nation with the handiest piece of info you’ll hear this week. Okay, say you’re a bit lost and you want a quick way to find an address or phone number. Rather than dial 411 or pop open your phone’s redonkulously slow web browser, try this hottness instead. Send a text to GOOGLE (466-453) with the name, city and state of the establishment that you are looking for. Within 10 seconds (give or take), Google will text you back w/the establishment’s address and phone number. Not only is it forFREE, it is also forREALZ. Technology! [credit: that random in the west village who taught The Senator and I this trick last night]

Now that you’re in possession of the handiest piece of information since Yahweh knows when, we can get on with the show. Bullet stizz. Natch.

• First things first. Take a look over in the first of the two right-hand sidebars. See that little section called “Catching My Eye”? Even when your Uncle Grambo gets to be the busiest busybody in the Eastern Time Zone (coming REAL soon), I will be sure to update that section at least a few times a day with prime time besteverness. Just so ya know.

• Second things second. While stranded in NYC this weekend (don’t ask), your Uncle Grambo managed to shake off the blahs long enough to catch a late Saturday afternoon screening of “Dead Silence.” While the film didn’t really deliver the kinds of scares that I was hoping for, I must say that it hit all the right notes when it came to setting the mood. From the use of the old-timey Universal Pictures production logo in the opening credits to the creepy funhouse score, the filmmakers hit the same kind of atmospheric notes in the film that you used to see during the Saturday afternoon Creature Features of the 1970s (yo Count Scary, holla atcha boi!). If yr into that sort of thing, “Dead Silence” is def worth Netflixing. Even if the twist makes no sense whatsoevs.
  RELATED: So! Jealous! of the “Dead Silence” swag that showed up on Lisanti’s doorstep.

• The Onion’s AV Club got Win Butler of Arcade Fire to break down why he broke his guitar on SNL a few weeks back, which you’ll recall set off massive reverberations in The Blogosphere™. [via Gawker]
  RELATED: Amy Poehler … Revealed! NY Times steez.

• The evidence continues to pile up pointing towards “Knocked Up” as the runaway comedy sensation of Oh Seven.
  RELATED: Your Uncle’s has already boldly predicted that “Knocked Up” will turn Katherine Heigl into America’s Next Top Sweetheart. But since it was posted during while this site was still in development, I thought I would resurface that buzz now. Obvs.

• Best interview evs? The Grizz interviews The Miz … now on video! Howevs, The Grizz loses points for not asking The Miz if he TF’d Coral’s bombs.

• Not watching Brotherhood 2.0 everyday? For SHAME. That means you missed your Uncle Grambo’s cameo AND John Green’s trip through the abandoned buildings of Dee-Troit. Easily the best vlog since Congdon’s tees got co-opted by Disney.

And finally, last Thursday night saw the much anticipated return of “The Showbiz Show With David Spade.” Everyone who’s ever read this here site knows how gay I am for “The Showbiz Show”; trust you me, last week’s episode did NOT disappoint. Although my fave bit¹ is not yet online, this segment entitled “While We Were Away” sums up the last six months in pop culture in fanfreakingtastic fashion. Sit back and laugh, yo.

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From L to R: Jessi Klein, Jonathan Ames, Catie Lazarus, David Rakoff, Annabelle Gurwitch, Elizabeth Spiers [pic by Brian Van]

The other night, when The Senator and I were talking about why we’ve been to more comedy shows in the two months since we moved to New York (8) than I have been to in my entire life (maybe 4), she made a very prescient observation. Namely, that comedy is the new indie rock. And you know what? She’s right. Let me explain.

Now, your Uncle Grambo isn’t exactly breaking any new journalistic ground when I tell you that shit is EXPENSIVE here in NYC. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s impossible to leave the apartment without dropping a Hamilton. Considering that I’m just an Average Joe making an Average Salary, let’s just say that I’ve been forced to become WAY more fiscally responsible over the last few months. At the same time, this city presents you with a bazillion amazing things to do every single night of the week, most of which cost money. Irresistable force, meet immovable object. This is where comedy comes into play.

Much like indie rock in the late 90s, where you could hit The Shelter or St. Andrews or The Blind Pig and catch a killer three-band bill for like $12, the same thing exists in NYC today with comedy. Not only is the talent top-notch, but the bang-for-yer-buck ratio is off the charts. For instance, last night I caught all of the talented comedians/humourists pictured above for the low, low price of $10! When The Grizz was in town back in November, we saw Amy Poehler, Jack McBrayer, Rob Huebel and a handful of others improv at the UCB for eight American dollars! Even with a couple of drinks (PBRs are like $2 at UCB) thrown into the mix, there’s no competition when it comes to getting the most out of your disposable income.

RELATED: Gawker has a good review of the show. And, for the record, Spiers KILLED!

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