New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day are the Hallmark of Hollywood productions—rom coms centered around holidays in which ensemble casts play out their microscopic plotlines which somehow generate lots and lots of manufactured feelings. They're totally manipulative! And lucrative. And now they've got some competition from the folks at 30 Rock, where on the show Jenna Maroney is starring in Martin Luther King Day. Check out the trailer, where you'll also spot: Nick Cannon, Emma Stone, Andy Samberg, Liam Neeson, Kristen Bell, R2D2, John Krasinski, Hugh Grant, and so many more. What, no Ashton Kutcher? more ›

Yes, we've seen our fair share of awkward Martin Luther King Jr.-themed menus in this city, but this one is by far the most questionable: EV Grieve caught sight of East Village's 24-hour hangover helper 7A's "I had a dream"-themed "Brunch Pre Fixe." A step back for civil rights and spelling, all in one fell swoop! In the restaurant's defense, however: at least they know what "MLK" stands for. [via Eater] more ›

We've already heard of Mayor Bloomberg's post-MLK speech gaffe, but those present say that his speech at the National Action Network's annual Martin Luther King Day event didn't go so great either. He was booed so much when he made his entrance that the beginning of his speech as inaudible, and about a dozen people continued heckling him throughout his speech. (The Wall Street Journal thinks it's residual blizzard anger, ABC 7 thinks its about Cathie Black.) However, he reportedly turned those raspberries into lemonade by the end of the night. more ›

In case you hadn't noticed from the lack of mail and school and the reduced schedules everywhere, today is when we observe Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. To celebrate, people across the country are partaking in community service, remembering the fallen civil rights leader and/or enjoying the end of a three-day weekend. Or, in the case of Synergy Fitness in Downtown Jersey City, putting totally unnecessary and offensive signs outside their door. more ›

While Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is actually January 15, the federal holiday is celebrated today. Many are celebrating the day by participating in service events; President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining one in D.C. and the President said in a statement, "Martin Luther King, Jr. lived his life for others, dedicating his work to ensuring equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. I encourage every American to observe this holiday in honor of Dr. King's selfless legacy by volunteering in their own communities and by dedicating time each day to bettering the lives of those around us." more ›

A judge found Councilman Charles Barron guilty of disorderly conduct for sitting in the middle of Tillary Street to protest the Sean Bell verdict. Unsurprisingly, the East New York Councilman — a one-time candidate for Brooklyn Borough President who is considering running for Council Speaker against Christine Quinn — had a message for the man responsible for his prosecution. "[Brooklyn District Attorney] Charles Hynes should be ashamed of himself," said Barron, who was sentenced to time-served, which was about six hours according to the Post. "He should not be allowed to come into any black church this Jan. 21 and celebrate Martin Luther King Day." more ›

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which celebrates his accomplishments as a civil rights leader and as well as reminds us there is still work to be done in many areas, from racial equality to living a more peaceful, understanding existence. And, in a way, Tuesday is a testament to King's work, with Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States. At the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington D.C., where the Obamas attended services today, children recited lines linked King and Obama: A child first said, "Martin Luther King walked so that Barack Obama could run," which was followed by others saying "Barack Obama ran so that all children could fly" and "Yes we can. Yes I can." more ›

With the South Carolina's Democratic primary on this coming Saturday, the three leading Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards gathered together at a Martin Luther King Day Jr. debate in Columbia, S.C. When Clinton addressed the crowd, she said, "We have come so far together. Barack Obama, an extraordinary, young African-American man with so much to contribute. John Edwards, a son of the South — in fact, a son of South Carolina. And a woman — all of us running for president of the United States of America!” more ›

THEATER: Wolf Lane Productions presents Victims of the Zeitgeist (The Tragedy of Martin Luther King, Jr.), written & directed by Ellwoodson Williams. The production "offers an exciting and telling insight into just who Martin Luther King, Jr., was as leader and simply as a sensitive and intelligent human being who loved life and who had a sense of humor, a deep understanding of the human condition - its strengths and weaknesses - and a profound belief in justice." more ›

A six-foot tall chocolate sculpture of Jesus which will be displayed at a Midtown hotel next week is stirring up controversy. Catholics are calling Cosimo Cavallaro's "My Sweet Lord" an "all-out war on Christianity." more ›

Maybe it was the umpteenth “F Bush” tag that seen in the subway station. Or maybe it was President Bush’s interview on Sixty Minutes last night. But recent news about the war, troop deployments and civil rights has infused us with feeling like we're in the 21st Century version of the Wonder Years. This is not the Sixties, but it seems like today’s commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. has gotten some of us in that Sixties kind of mood. more ›

In the wake of President Bush's Wednesday night address to the country, when he announced that he will send thousands of more soldiers to Iraq, hundreds of people protested the plan. They convened at the tiny island in the middle of Times Square in front of the U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station, with signs like "Stop the funding, stop the war" and "When government lies, Democracy dies" with drivers passing by honking their horns. Some protesters were dressed as Guantanamo prisoners. Of course, there were counter-protesters; one sign said, "Warning: Leftist protesters trying to demoralize our troops." No arrests were reported. more ›

that the MTA knows how to handle its money...and its employees. more ›

It seems that while the Mayor did get a decent reception, it was City Councilman Charles Barron's criticism of the Mayor, noting that the "Jets, Nets, and Olympics" priorities of the Bloomberg administration, not regular New Yorkers, was something that "set the crowd on fire." It will be interesting to see how the Mayor continues to explain that the West Side Stadium project will drive jobs for the working class and not siphon money from areas that desperately need resources. more ›

For more about MLK, go to The King Center, with an essay about the holiday from Coretta Scott King (she also did a rare recent public appearance last week). And InfloPlease has links to many MLK-related events. more ›

company, and guess what? We don't have Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off! I'm kind of ticked at this, not just because I want a 3 day weekend, but I don't like how it's treated as a 2nd-tier holiday. Do most people have to work on Monday? How are you commemorating the holiday? more ›