Author: Connor Simpson

A Canadian Mayor Resigns...

Youtube: @themontrealgazette

Can you guess which one? If you think it's the one embroiled in a violent crack cocaine scandal, you are wrong.

By Connor Simpson

Mar 18, 2013

Tiger Woods and Lindsay Vonn Reveal Dating News in Facebook Ad for Nike

Here's the most absurd parts about the couple's official confirmation of what the tabloids have been reporting for weeks: The awkward staged photos on their Facebook pages prominently feature mega-sponsorship deals.

Comments | 4,235 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 18, 2013

The FBI Thinks It's Identified the Thieves in the $500 Million Gardner Museum Art Heist

On March 18, 1990, two people stole 13 works from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum valued at over $500 million and got away with it. Until now, it seems, because the Boston Globe reports the FBI thinks they've found the criminals.

Comments | 3,276 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 18, 2013

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Will Fire Herself, Ann Curry-Style

Elisabeth Hasselbeck was leaving The View, but then she wasn't, and now she's leaving again. We don't really know who to believe, but word is out — again — that the ice queen of daytime talk TV is getting the boot from Barbara Walters' daily gabfest. Just not yet.

Comments | 7,671 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 18, 2013

Why 'Spring Breakers' Is Already a Huge Small Hit

Harmony Korine's ode to debauchery and delinquent youth, Spring Breakers, opened in theaters this weekend. It did really well! It did well enough to warrant a separate report from our usual box office musings because, while it only opened in three theaters, it brought in an insane amount of money.

Comments | 1,551 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 18, 2013

The NFL's Response to Asking Recruits If They're Gay Is Underwhelming So Far

At this year's scouting combine — the annual gathering of football recruits to determine how well they could potentially play on an NFL field — teams reportedly asked players about their sexuality. The NFL launched an investigation into the matter, and we haven't heard from them since. Until now.

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

Try Not to Lose Your Shirt in Your NCAA Office Pool This Year

It is the holiest of days in some parts of the country: NCAA Selection Sunday. And here, for your viewing pleasure, is the official bracket for the 2013 NCAA Tournament, plus some amateur analysis that will help ruin your bracket by the end of the first round. 

Comments | 2,586 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

This Is What St. Patrick's Day Really Looks Like

While most of the world is either face down or bleary-eyed by now, the rest of us are still stone cold sober and sitting straight up. Which is to say that some are celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Sunday and some are not. For the rest of us, this is what the holiday really looks like. 

Comments | 6,461 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

Box Office Report

Magic from Carell and Carrey Can't Make 'Oz' Disappear

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where Steve Carell's career was the only thing Burt Wonderstone ever made disappear. Poof! Just like that, it was gone. 

Comments | 2,586 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

The Sunday Grind

Boehner 'Absolutely' Trusts the President; Ryan's Budget Is a 'Vision'

The Speaker of the House talks with Martha Raddatz about the state of his relationship with the President, while Paul Ryan defends his budget from the criticisms that it's old, boring and a recycled campaign documents. 

Comments | 2,931 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

SXSW Is Dead, but at Least Justin Timberlake and Prince Were the Ones to Kill It

The much-maligned South By Southwest festival closed last night with two blockbuster shows: Justin Timberlake in one venue, with Prince performing across town. Neither would ever be considered a bad choice, but let's break down which show was better -- just because we can. 

Comments | 6,000 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

The Steubenville Verdict Is in, and These Boys Are Guilty

On the fifth and final day of a long and emotional rape trial recounting a drunken and violent evening, Judge Thomas Lipps delivered a guilty verdict Sunday morning in the Steubenville rape trial, calling the situation "profane" and "ugly" as the boys cried aloud and were handed the maximum sentencing. Tears rang out inside the Ohio courtroom, with tears of joy outside, but the Ohio attorney general said "additional charges could be filed" soon.

Comments | 72,759 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 17, 2013

Don't Look Now but the Pope Is Tweeting Again

Your social media mess is blessed again. Amid a tour of firsts, the newly installed Pope Francis has finally fired up the Pontifex Twitter account since it was scrubbed and reset after Benedict stepped down. 

Comments | 3,276 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

The Steubenville Victim Tells Her Story

After two-and-a-half hours of testimony, a picture emerges of a 16-year-old girl who got drunker than she thought she should have, who forgot the night and woke up scared and surrounded, and whose family only brought charges after a barrage of questions from doctors and intimidation from the suspects. This is her version of the events.

Comments | 66,344 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

Dinesh D'Souza's '2016: Obama's America' Made Enough Money to Warrant a Sequel

Dinesh D'Souza made a movie last year. It was about President Obama, and what the world would look like if he were to win a second term. The outlook: not good. It was critically reviled, but it made truckloads of money so they're getting a sequel. 

Comments | 2,759 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

Newly Released Secret Tapes Reveal LBJ Knew but Never Spoke Out About Nixon's 'Treason'

Rumors and whispers of Richard Nixon's 'treason' — sabotaging Vietnam peace talks to help his presidential campaign — have floated around for years, but newly released tapes from Lyndon Johnson's Presidency confirm that LBJ knew about Nixon's behaviour and didn't bother to report it. 

Comments | 16,654 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

How Pope Francis Got a Little Help from a Friend When Deciding His New Name

Pope Francis I held his first audience with reporters Saturday morning since surprising everyone Wednesday as the choice to succeed departing Benedict as new Pope. He seemed to dazzle reporters with his humility and humor. Oh, one other thing: he really wants the church to go broke. 

Comments | 3,449 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

Swiss Cycling Tourist Gang Raped In India

Three months after the death of a 23-year-old gang rape victim shocked India, a Swiss tourist who was brutally attacked and gang-raped in front of her husband is the latest in a long line of terrible attacks contributing to the country's "rape problem." 

Comments | 7,235 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

Rupert Murdoch's Phone Hacking Headache Won't Go Away Until (At Least) 2015

Just when you thought News International chief Rupert "Teflon Don" Murdoch might be powerful enough to beat the case, a suspect turned snitch is lighting a new fire under Murdoch's 2011 nightmares.

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 16, 2013

Jay Leno's Jokes Actually Managed to Offend Someone at NBC

The recent reports about NBC's post-Leno plans were as surprising as they were interesting. As in, they kind of came out of nowhere. So it might make sense to hear that, behind the scenes, Leno has been feuding with one of the top executives at NBC. 

Comments | 19,073 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

Farewell, Pope Watch

So, just like the show Lost, we've now seen the white and black smoke, met our new leader, and yet we still have no idea how we got here, really. Which is to say: Pope watch is officially over, and thank God for that. Things got kind of embarrassing near the end. 

Comments | 862 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

ESPN Denies Killing Dangerous X Games Competition Just Because It Killed a Man

Following the gruesome and very public death of 25-year-old snowmobiler Caleb Moore at the Winter X-Games in January, ESPN has decided to forego his controversial competition — not that they're acknowledging it.

Comments | 1,379 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

Anti-Sodomy Law Erased in Virginia, but Not in 13 Other States

It took a split decision from a federal appeals court on a gruesome case, but sodomy is finally legal in Virginia, even if holdouts remain in other states where local laws still take what's seen as an anti-gay stance to a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Comments | 6,403 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

Look at All These Happy Catholics at the Vatican on the Day of White Smoke

As the world began to meet Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the 76-year-old virgin and Argentine Jesuit Cardinal with one lung who will be known as Pope Francis I, Catholics everywhere jumped and cried for joy. Here's the tale of celebration in St. Peter's Square, from smoke to wave.

Comments | 690 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

This Android Ouster Might Signal a Mini-Merger Inside Google

Android just lost its head, but Google might have created a two-headed monster with its mobile and desktop platforms. The new boss has led most tech prognosticators to prognosticate that the two systems wille be unified as one.

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

Washington Is Giving Donald Trump a Lot of Air Time to Promote His TV Show

From the White House to the Republican movement and Twitter to TV, Trump has been even more absurdly vocal than usual on politics of late, if that's even possible. And the worst part? Everyone's giving him a soapbox, and not just Fox News. Actually, the worst part is that this is all probably a ploy for Celebrity Apprentice ​ratings.

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 13, 2013

'Veronica Mars' Is Dead but the Movie's Kickstarter Is Alive

As pathetic as that may sound, it almost worked for Lindsay Lohan, and thanks to a push by star Kristen Bell and from the not-yet-jaded fans of the show that remain, the donations are coming in at a record-breaking rate. And, well, they have to.

Comments | 3,600 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 12, 2013

Mike Bloomberg's Soda Appeal May Die

Now that New York is getting used to soda as usual — which is to say, big — the war on sugary drinks moves to appeals court, where a potentially long legal battle will play out... and where Bloomberg's chance to revive his ban stands an uneven chance.

Comments | 689 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 12, 2013

Twinkies Won't Be Back in Time for 4/20

But don't worry, they are coming back: the new Hostess sale will put everyone's favorite processed guilty pleasure back on store shelves by summer. Those bakery jobs, well, yeah, they're not coming back.

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 12, 2013

Koch Brothers vs. Rupert Murdoch: The Fight for Tribune Newspapers Is On

The Koch brothers are reportedly considering a bid for the Tribune Company newspapers — focusing on the crown jewels of the L.A. Times and Chicago Tribune, or at least what jewels of power are left in the flailing newspaper industry — but they may face stiff competition in the form of a debt-free, full pocketed media power player named Rupert Murdoch.

Comments | 4,931 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 12, 2013

The Cannibal Cop Trial Is Over, but the 'Fantasy' Crime Debate Is Not

In the dramatic conclusion of a trial as memorable for its being sickening as the kind of precedent it may set about fantasies of murder without follow-through, the New York City "Cannibal Cop" just got eaten by a federal jury.

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 12, 2013

Iran May Sue Ben Affleck and George Clooney Over 'Argo'

Iranian media — propaganda versions and otherwise — is abuzz with reports that Iran's government, by way of Carlos the Jackal's French lawyer, is preparing to sue Hollywood over the "unrealistic portrayal" of Iranians in the Oscar-winning film.

Comments | 3,966 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 11, 2013

The UFC Now Supports Gay Rights a Lot More Than the NFL

As the winter-long controversy about gay rights and pro sports continues, the fastest growing sport in America finally may be advancing where the most popular still cannot: The Ultimate Fighting Championship is coming out in support of gay marriage outside the ring, and preemptively accepting gay fighters inside.

Comments | 5,000 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 11, 2013

Who Just Killed New York's Soda Ban?

Either under the influence of small-business owners, soda-industry lobbyists, or people just frustrated with Michael Bloomberg, a New York judge effectively killed the city's controversial ban less than 12 hours before it was set to go into effect.

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 11, 2013

'The View' Is Hanging on to Elisabeth Hasselbeck So You Can Hate-Watch Her

"We have no plans for Elisabeth to leave this show," Barbara Walters said at the top of Monday's show, ruining the collective schadenfreude built up since late Friday afternoon, when rumors quickly spread that Hasselbeck had been fired. Why hasn't she?

Comments | 4,483 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Justin Timberlake Gave 'SNL' an NFL-Sized Ratings Boost

The Saturday Night Live ratings for Justin Timberlake's big fifth time came in this afternoon, and he delivered numbers the show hasn't seen since it had help from the NFL -- and that was a year and three months ago. 

Comments | 3,276 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Google Hopes Google Glass Won't Get You Beat Up

Let's put it out there: people wearing Google Glasses look weird. We're not used to seeing people with working computers for eyes. One Seattle bar took things a step further, though, by threatening to beat up anyone wearing the new eyewear. Google doesn't get what all the fuss is about. 

Comments | 7,380 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Box Office Report

'Oz' the Great and Profitable

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where James Franco opens at number one in our heart every week.

Comments | 3,104 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

The Sunday Grind

Jeb Bush Goes on Tour; Ryan's New Budget Forgets Obamacare

Jeb Bush shoots down 2016 questions from all six major Sunday talk shows, while also discussing his ever-evolving stance on immigration reform along the way. (Also: crack addicts.) And Paul Ryan discloses his new budget operates under the assumption Obamacare will be repealed. 

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Christine Quinn Wants to Be the First Lady to Lead New York City

Christine Quinn made the obvious official Sunday morning: she's going to run for Mayor of New York City. She will potentially be the first lady and first openly LBGT person to rule the city that never sleeps.

Comments | 1,035 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Justin Timberlake's Fifth 'Saturday Night Live' Was a Trip Down Memory Lane

So, Justin Timberlake became the first person in the modern era to join the Five-Timers Club last night, both in the records books and in the fictional sketch world of Saturday Night Live. They brought out all the stops for the occasion, including old friends like... The Three Amigos?!

Comments | 12,786 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 10, 2013

Obama Suits Up for Decent Gridiron Comedy Routine

Occasionally, the job of the President is to tell jokes. He was tasked with being funny at a dinner party last night at the 128th annual Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner. It helps that he's not all that bad at it. 

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

The Whole Crew Is Back in the New 'Star Trek' Trailer

Based on the trailers for Star Trek: Into Darkness so far, you'd be forgiven for thinking the only actors in the sequel are Chris Pine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, and Chris Pine once more for good measure. So it's nice to see the rest of the Enterprise crew in the latest clip. 

Comments | 5,000 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

Republicans Can't Stop Susan Rice from Getting Her National Security Consolation Prize

U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice may get the last laugh. Republicans won't be able to stop her from claiming her consolation prize, which, if a new report proves to be accurate, will be as the head of national security. 

Comments | 3,501 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

How the U.S. Concluded Killing Anwar al-Awlaki Was O.K.

The September 2011 drone strike that killed American citizens Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Kahn has been the focus of intense debate for the last three years. Now, thanks to a new report from The New York Times, we know how the U.S. concluded killing al-Awlaki was justifiable. 

Comments | 3,960 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

The People Are Fighting for Grumpy Cat's Freedom

South by Southwest is a week long bacchanal gathering for bands, music writers, start-up bros, tech geeks, movie makers and critics. Essentially, the world's worst people gather in the same place to talk about stuff and get obliterated. Is that the right atmosphere for a cat, let alone a grumpy one?

Comments | 5,510 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

Egyptian Soccer Fans Lit a Police Club on Fire

An Egyptian court ruling Saturday morning infuriated fans of two rival soccer clubs, leading to protests from supporters from both teams that saw a police social club and the Egyptian soccer federation building lit on fire.

Comments | 517 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

Is 'SNL' Bringing Back the Five-Timers Club for Justin Timberlake?

OK, not to be horrible and speculative, but tonight is Justin Timberlake's fifth time hosting NBC's Saturday Night Live, and that's a big deal. Tom Hanks once described the fifth time as "the most special of all," and, lo, Hanks and other five-timers may be making an appearance tonight. 

Comments | 12,573 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 9, 2013

Chuck Hagel's First Afghanistan Trip Got Off to a Scary Start

Chuck Hagel's first visit to Afghanistan as Defense Secretary got off to a scary start as two separate suicide bomb attacks greeted him. One targeted Afghanistan's Defense Ministry, but, thankfully, Hagel was nowhere near the building at the time. 

Comments | 517 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 6, 2013

The Miracle Baby Hit-and-Run Suspect Is Behind Bars and He's Going to Pay

Julio Acevedo, the suspect wanted for the Brooklyn hit-and-run accident that killed a young Jewish couple and — less than 24 hours later — the baby born after the crash has turned himself into police, more than 80 miles from the crash site.

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Mar 6, 2013

The Nation's Harshest New Abortion Law Will Not Survive Against Roe v. Wade

On Wednesday afternoon, despite Governor Mike Beebe's best intentions, the Arkansas House and Senate passed the most restrictive abortion law in the country — indeed, perhaps the greatest legal challenge to Roe v. Wade in its 40 years of existence. But abortion rights groups were waiting right outside the Capitol in Little Rock, ready with promises of an instant lawsuit.

Comments | 1,552 Views

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App