Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: A "large dispute" at JFK Airport; a school bus accident at Broadway and 37th Street in Manhattan; and a car-into-a-house on Murdock Ave in Queens. Rudy Giuliani says people giving him a hard time about rooting for the Red Sox "should give [him] a break." People to Giuliani, "No way, not when you make it so easy!" Awesome Halloween decoration in Greenpoint. A different kind of customized candy to... more ›

MTV is going to broadcast the 2006 awards. Now, Gothamist will use our cranky and cliche cards: We don't remember the last time we saw a video on MTV! And we're kind of upset at MTV for making stars out of people who are worthless, although the horrifying pleasure we get when we watch My Sweet 16 almost balances that out. But the show itself is usually trippy fun to watch - whether it's a lesbian kiss or Kiss playing under the Brooklyn Bridge - and the hosting is good (we heart you, Chris Rock). The president of MTV, Christina Norman explained, "New York City is our hometown, and we are really looking to showcase the music, culture, and people from every borough of this amazing city on TV, online, broadband, and wireless to fans around the globe." Translation: You can watch the show on TV, watch clips on your TV, get messages sent to your phone - basically drown yourself in knowing what Beyonce is wearing or if James Blunt will falsetto. What would be brilliant is for musical acts to perform in all five boroughs (yes, even Staten Island). This year, the event will be on August 31 (we think the show was moved up for distance between the show's excess and September 11 - we definitely remember that in 1999, the show was on September 9), and similar to the way the city handled the Country Music Awards this year, there will be many concerts and events leading up to the show. more ›

Yesterday's Chinese New Year Parade brought out revelers of all colors - and species. As you can see from various photographs, dogs were celebrated, this being their year and all. While Gothamist loved seeing dogs wearing traditional Chinese dress (just $25.99!), we wonder if dogs really like to wear dresses and jackets like this. If any dog owners have put a qi pao on their dog, let us know, because it seems difficult. more ›

This kind of weather makes us want to do one thing, and one thing only: walk through the snow filled streets with a hot chocolate in one hand and John Cusack in the other. Mmm...serendipitous. Reality, however, will leave us with wet jean cuffs as we trudge through dirty (and oft yellow) snow. But at least we'll be on the way to something fun. Here are some suggestions to get you out of the house this weekend: more ›

New York comedians have shown benevolence all year, participating in relief efforts for just about everything. Add one more show with a purpose to the list as the Gotham Comedy Club [208 W. 23rd St.] hosts the Stand Up for Peace 2nd Annual Comedy Benefit this week in support of Seeds of Peace. Since it’s founding in 1993, Seeds of Peace has devoted itself to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills that will foster and facilitate peace in the future. The lineup of all-star comedians performing for the cause includes Susie Essman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Colin Quinn, Demetri Martin and Catie Lazarus. Hosted by David Wain. more ›

Gothamist caught last week’s performance of the “revival” of John Flynn’s Dances with Pitchforks and can’t stop talking about how good it is. Flynn’s tale of being a chorus boy in a Millburn, New Jersey regional production of Gypsy that featured über-diva and Eight is Enough stepmother Betty Buckley is too good to be true. And yet it is. AND on top of Betty Buckley the production featured the electric youthfulness of Deborah, neé Debbie Gibson. The show serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when you talk shit behind a leading lady’s back and also how that might just be the best method of building buzz around a Millburn, New Jersey regional production of Gypsy. more ›

While logic tells us Episode III will be as painfully disappointing as the last two film chapters, many critics have applauded Lucas's latest effort, even comparing it to A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. The movie premieres next Thursday, May 19th, at midnight and most NYC theatres are offering several 12:01 AM shows. If you’re interested in buying tickets online, most digital projection theatres, like Loews Kips Bay, have already sold out, but you can still catch a Loews stadium seating. more ›

Yes! NBC has finally come out with the Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Talking Doll!

Famous for his obnoxious appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien the Triumph talking doll says 11 poopy things and sings "I Keed". This talking doll also features Synchro-Motion, a cutting edge animation technology that synchronizes the motion of the mouth to words, allowing inanimate figures to come to life before your very eyes! Just press Triumph's foot to hear him say "You're a great friend, for me to poop on" and other fun favorites. This toy is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

...and we're out $35! more ›

Watch some Triumph clips for yourself. more ›

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog has gotten neutered, but for a good cause: He's starring in a PETA ad - one that slams American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken. Aiken told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I had a kitten and ran over it." Apparently it was an accident, but Aiken needs to up the training for media requests, while maintaining the whole "straight" training. more ›