[Via John Sealy] 

CNN reports that "the numbing effect of TV" may finally pay off:  "Researchers
confirmed the distracting power of television--something parents have long
known--when they found that children watching cartoons suffered less pain from a
hypodermic needle than kids not watching TV."  Apparently children prefer the
mind-mush of Spongebob even to the comforts of their own mothers.  If this
research is accurate, that the distraction of television helps humans ignore
real-world pain and suffering, who knows what implications could be.

Deadwood writer and creator David Milch talks to NPR about the increased visibility of black characters in its wonderful third season.  The soundbites from the show itself have to be bleeped out, but if you aren't watching Deadwood yet, this interview should give you some sense of why it's is the best show on television.

Interviewer Farai Chideya also talks to Milch about the sublime, obscene language in Deadwood, and some of his inspiration for and insight into the show's creation.