At 2am officials got a call of stink in downtown LA but found nothing. But 12 hours later a "black tarry substance" was coming up through the ground, manhole covers and sidewalks along Olive Street. Oozing. Bubbling, even. 120 feet of Olive St has cracked and risen about 18 inches. An apartment building was evacuated; it may not be able to withstand the shifting ground. Exactly what the smell or substance is, where it's coming from, or how to stop it remains a mystery. Sounds like The Blob to us. more ›

John Stewart recently called John Hodgman "very funny." That would be enough to keep us home playing the Daily Show video over and over, but it's not enough for Hodgman. He was center stage at the McSweeney's thing at REDCAT on Saturday and will be at Book Soup tonight. Because it's all about his book, The Areas of My Expertise, which includes the heretofore unknown Hobo Rebellion. Stewart says the book should not be taken as "real history" — and if there's anyone who knows their fake news, it's John Stewart. Tonight, 7pm, Book Soup in West Hollywood with fellow funny New YorkerJonathan Coulton. more ›

WEDNESDAY more ›