(2 of 2)
MUSIC
What Makes a Video Gaga?
Lady Gaga's music videos come with certain expectations: they'll be long, they'll have a film reference or two, and they'll feature Gaga dancing in her underwear. The clip for her latest single, "Born This Way," follows suit. Clocking in at seven-plus minutes, the video begins with a sequence set to the opening score from Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and has Gaga cavorting in a bra and panties. At this point, the weirdest thing she could do is wear some pants.
TOYS
Slimmed-Down Spuds
Carbs tend to get a bad rap, so it's no surprise that Hasbro has unveiled a thinner (though still pear-shaped) Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Also, the taters will don pants for the first time--which puts them a step ahead of Lady Gaga.
DRINK
Russia: O.K., Fine, Beer Is Alcohol
Russia is seeking to officially declare beer--currently classified as a food--an alcoholic drink, a designation that would allow it to be taxed and restricted. The move is an attempt to curb alcoholism; beer sales have tripled in the past 15 years.
5 THINGS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS WEEK
1. Not having an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at Bristol Palin's life.
Her forthcoming memoir claims to offer an "intimate, behind-the-scenes look at her life"
2. Tom Cruise's masculinity.
He'll be starring as a heavy-metal singer in the film adaptation of Broad-way's Rock of Ages
3. The state of Paul McCartney's art.
He is working with the New York City Ballet
4. The banning of violent video games.
Unless you live in Australia, which just restricted the latest version of Mortal Kombat
5. Loud junk-food packaging.
SunChips has designed a quieter, compostable bag