Philadelphia Weekly

>>do it

Garrison Keillor

You may think of Garrison Keillor as the bard of rural America, but there's actually nobody in popular culture (aside from Stephen King or Marilyn Manson, perhaps) so determinedly focused on the subject of death. Death--in the comely guise of Virginia Madsen--is the key figure in Robert Altman's movie version of Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, and that's no accident. Keillor manages to disguise his obsessions with jokey homilies about the quirks and virtues of Midwestern villages, but there's always an elegiac feel to his storytelling. Why? Because despite what Republicans would have you believe, small towns are no longer the center of American life--they're dead or dying, left to the care of the aged while younger folks flee to the cities and suburbs. Keillor's craggy features and raspy baritone somehow make it all a bit more palatable. (Joel Mathis)

>> buy it

Mike Geno's Meat Art

Vegetarians, listen up. Carnivores will never understand you. Avoid their lectures by supporting meat--not as a meal, but as art. Mew Gallery's featuring $20 prints of Philly artist Mike Geno's meat paintings. Choose from bacon, ribs or London broil. (Erica Palan)

>> read it

21 Nights

Prince's appearance at the 2007 Super Bowl was the most-watched American TV performance of the 21st century. Shame that it was the last anyone heard from him. Apparently after his record breaking performance, the Artist headed to London where he sold out 21 concerts in 21 nights. This week he released a book--aptly titled 21 Nights--featuring poetry and lyrics to new songs and 124 full-color images by photographer Randee St. Nicholas. It's not the same as seeing him live, but it's close. (E.P.)

>>cuddle it

Octopillows

If you're reading this, you're too old for a security blanket or any other anthropomorphic plush comfort object. By owning one, you relinquish the right to complain about everything from your presumably empty sex life to the fact that your mother still calls every night to ask what you ate for dinner. But if you really must cling to something stuffed, we're currently crushing on Spin the Bottle Productions' Octopillows, available at Art Star. Each handmade pillow is brightly colored and features different patterns on the front and back. So spoon a cephalopod. It might not get you laid, but at least there are eight arms to hug you as you cry yourself to sleep. (E.P.)

>> see it

Margaret Cho

Celeb-reality isn't all bad. At the very least you get to see C-listers (or worse) make complete fools of themselves. And sometimes it's actually funny. Comedienne and queer icon Margaret Cho has been busy reviving her career this fall with her new VH1 series The Cho Show. The show follows Cho and her unconventional entourage as they embark on typical scripted reality-show hijinks: making a sex tape, getting anal bleaching and taking a g-shot to, well, you know. The highlight of the show, however, is getting to watch the parents behind Cho's hysterical impressions. They completely steal the show when they decide that Margaret's little-person assistant, Selene Luna, is the grandchild they'll never have and take her shopping at kiddie boutiques. Cho's in Philly this week with special guest Liam Sullivan. Let's hope she sticks to her usual lineup of parent jokes. (Anastasia Kotsosavas)