Oh sure, you've read about the cranky metal Lou Reed/Metallica collaboration Lulu—maybe you've even seen the Muppets covering Loutallica. But have you actually tried listening to the album? It seems some Metallica fans haven't, but they're still not too happy about it: "[Metallica's fans] are threatening to shoot me, and that's only because I showed up. They haven't even heard the record yet, and they're recommending various forms of torture and death," Reed told USA Today in an interview about the team-up. more ›

You've heard of slush funds, but what about lulus? Lulus are stipends given to members of City Council who lead committees, allowing politicians to take on a little extra responsibility and take home as much as $28,000 per year in extra cash on top of their $112,500 salaries. Critics say the money is really a payout to those who are loyal to Council Speaker Christine Quinn. more ›

Last week, Hiram Monserrate was sworn in as a State Senator. Some Republican Senators had argued he should not enter the Senate, since he was charged with beating up his girlfriend, but Monserrate has repeatedly denied the charge and his girlfriend has also said it was an accident (though speculation continues). Now there's a vague form of censure: Monserrate will not receive payments for chairing—yes, he still gets to chair—the consumer protection committee while he is still charged with assault. The annual lulu for the chair is $12,500. The Daily Politics points out that a few years ago, then minority leader David Paterson stripped State Senator Ada Smith of her perks after a "pattern of bad behavior"—and "she hadn't yet been convicted of anything at the time." more ›