The funeral for Whitney Houston is open only to invited guests—who include Aretha Franklin, Kevin Costner, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, and Stevie Wonder so far—but the public will get a chance to observe the services through a livestream. The AP will broadcast the funeral at http://livestream.com/aplive: "It will provide a much-needed connection for fans who have lacked a formal place to eulogize Houston, one of the world's best-selling artists who died in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday at the age of 48." more ›

Sure, you can pick up a Cosby-esque sweater at any local thrift shop, but this guy is taking it to the next level. He created some sort of hack in a magical knitting machine, forcing it to create the world's most amesome sweater—"it's based on a real Cosby sweater, and it has Bill Cosby wearing a sweater with Bill Cosby wearing a sweater on it." Take it away Andrew Salomone (who hopes to present Mr. Cosby with this sweater): more ›

Cliff Huxtable's sweaters as seen on The Cosby Show were almost, at least in retrospect, a character themselves. Pick any random clip of the show and your eyes will gaze upon at least one dazzling piece of knitwear... in fact, the whole cast was really into the sweater thing (as seen below). Well, now the Cosby sweater is finally getting its due respect on Tumblr; from Vanessa's black and yellow car sweater (a classic!) to this bold striped cardigan, check it all out at The Cosby Sweater Project. more ›

Usually when Donald Trump appears on the Today Show, it's to promote Celebrity Apprentice. But now, as he's apparently a surging potential 2012 Republican candidates, the "You're Fired!"-er took the time to promise he's going to figure out the biggest "mystery" of 2008: Where President Barack Obama was born. Born again-birther Trump said, "Three weeks ago when I started, I thought he was probably born in this country. Right now, I have some real doubts," and added that he's got investigators on the ground in Hawaii, "I have people that actually have been studying it and they cannot believe what they’re finding." more ›

BEER: This one is pretty simple...there will be lots (58!) of New York beers, and a few bands to soundtrack your drinking them, at the Seaport tonight. Go, imbibe, enjoy! more ›

A Bill Cosby cartoon, Adidas sneakers and even mayor Ed Koch figured into the trial of Laura Albert, aka the author who created the literary sensation JT Leroy. Albert is being sued by a film production company; Antidote Films paid JT Leroy $45,000 for one of his novels, but now the company says that the contract is void because JT Leroy doesn't exist. Last week, Albert's mother gave wrenching testimony that mentioned hospitalizing her daughter for depression at young ages but it was nothing compared to Albert's own testimony yesterday. more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

Though we suspect he may have gotten some Jello pudding packs along the way, he isn't fat, and yesterday, Harry, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, stole the show in the first day of competition at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. more ›

Purebred dogs from across the country are rocking out at Madison Square Garden for the Westminster Kennel Club's 131 Westminster Dog Show. Over 2,600 dogs are competing today and tomorrow for Best in Breed and Best in Show prizes. Many dogs and their owners stay at the Hotel Pennsylvania across the street from MSG, where dogs meet each other and their owners sniff out the competition. more ›

Statue of Liberty 2.0, by Mr Kinloch on Flickr. Tag yours "gothamist" if you want us to use them. more ›

I first saw Mike Daisey at The People's Improv Theater at a live recording of The Sound of Young America. I didn't know what he was going to talk about, but, in retrospect, it seems like he could talk about anything and it would still be interesting, funny, intelligent, and insightful. His latest monologue Invincible Summer will run at the The Public Theater January 18th through the 28th. more ›

My childhood is vague snapshots of memories that cannot be trusted. I remember trying to repeat some Bill Cosby bits back to my dad that I didn't even understand. I remember him laughing though, just at the fact that I had memorized them. He probably didn't get them either, now that I think of it. But I was always a big fan of stand-up until I started doing it and realized that most of it was a trick. more ›

We were really knocked out by Mazarin at Pianos last week. Very fun band. One can only hope that this week holds such surprise awesomeness. Some potential candidates: more ›

What? No New Year's plans? Leaving it a bit late, no? Forget the overcrowded bars, the swarms of amateurs, the lame-o house parties. There are a ridiculous number of shows happening around town, some of which are worth your time and some of which not so much. Many of them are sold out, but it's highly possible you could score with the scalpers. Let's have a little look-see, shall we? more ›

Jay Brida, Publisher/Copywriter more ›