Along with David Goldenberg, I'm a founder of Gelf Magazine, an online publication about just about anything. I'm currently a contributing editor and editor of the Varsity Letters reading series. Click here for Gelf's homepage, or see below for a selection of my writing for Gelf. July 2007 May-June 2007 April 2007 March 2007 January-February 2007 March-December 2006 January-February 2006 October-December 2005 July-September 2005 April-June 2005 January-March 2005 Back to Top July 2007 Baseball's Conservative Revolutionary, July 2, 2007 Branch Rickey was a staunch political conservative who had already transformed baseball before his famous signing of Jackie Robinson. Rickey's biographer talks to Gelf about the great executive's legacy. The Power of Live Sports, July 2, 2007 In a new book, 100 sports figures and famous sports fans share their five most memorable moments of fandom. The author talks to Gelf about the joy of being there. Back to Top May-June 2007 Danny Ocean: Now With 100% Real Laughs!, June 15, 2007 In this week's edition of The Blurbs—the feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Ocean's Thirteen, Day Watch, Brooklyn Rules, and more. Bane of Cheerleaders, Champion of the Little Guys, June 2, 2007 An interview with Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, who says, 'I love writing about great, heroic deeds from small people.' One Sports Fan's Dream Year, May 22, 2007 Jim Gorant soaked in the fan experience at 10 events, including Wimbledon, the Kentucky Derby, and the Super Bowl. Then he got paid to write about it. An Irish Hoops Odyssey, May 7, 2007 Rus Bradburd, the former UTEP assistant and Tim Hardaway's one-time mentor, learned about Irish fiddling, Gaelic football, and the proper pour of a Guinness in his tour of duty as coach of the Tralee Tigers. Web of Deceit, May 5, 2007 In this week's edition of The Blurbs—the feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Spider-Man 3, Next, Waitress, and more. When Jesse Owens Raced in Front of Hitler, May 1, 2007 For his new book, ESPN's Jeremy Schaap re-visits the surreal 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, and the legendary feats of the US team's top performer. Back to Top April 2007 A Hoax About a Hoax About 'Hoax', April 22, 2007 In this week's edition of The Blurbs—the feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Vacancy, Fracture, Disturbia, and more. A Must-See, Until the 'Inane Letdown', April 10, 2007 In this week's edition of The Blurbs—the feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Grindhouse, Blades of Glory, Black Book, and more. A Voice Above All Others, April 2, 2007 Sportscaster Mel Allen was at the top of his profession. Then, he lost everything, and climbed back. His friend and biographer explains why he thinks Allen 'was the best ever to call the game.' Baseball in 17 Syllables or Less, April 2, 2007 Baseball's Poetry/Isn't Found in Limericks/Look to the Haiku Back to Top March 2007 Great Film. Oh, Except the Lead Actor Can't Act., March 25, 2007 In this week's edition of The Blurbs—the feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for I Think I Love My Wife, Colour Me Kubrick, The Page Turner, and more. 'Wild Hogs' Is Hysterically Funny. Well, Sometimes. Mostly Its Premise., March 9, 2007 In this week's edition of Blurb Racket—the Gelf feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Wild Hogs, Black Snake Moan, 300, and more. Chronicling the Seamier Side of Sports, March 4, 2007 Matt Ufford's love of sports and beautiful women, combined with a legendary comment by Chris Berman, has led to a paid gig as the acerbic writer of With Leather. Baseball's Unofficial Chat Room, March 4, 2007 Sports fans aren't generally privy to the private conversations of MLB players. So, in a feat of twisted brilliance, The Dugout's writers imagine what Barry Bonds (screenname:LicensetoPills) and his colleagues might say to each other in an online chat. ESPN's Newest NBA Writer, March 4, 2007 Henry Abbott's dogged reporting for TrueHoop, including a yearlong investigation of a shadowy basketball figure, landed him a job at the biggest company in sports media. The Quickie Way to Follow Sports, March 4, 2007 Dan Shanoff gets up early so you don't have to. The longtime writer of the Daily Quickie lays out his vision for sports media. Sports Bloggers' Benevolent King, March 3, 2007 Deadspin editor Will Leitch dispenses 'cheeky,' self-deprecating commentary on athletes and the broadcasters who love them. Mets Bloggers Who Can't Wait for Next Year, March 3, 2007 Jason Fry and Greg Prince write passionately about a diehard baseball fan's annual rites of joy and frustration. In an interview, they explain what drives their work. Back to Top January-February 2007 Eddie Murphy's 'Huge, Belching Spectacular', February 24, 2007 In this week's edition of Blurb Racket—the Gelf feature in which we take a close look at those critic blurbs that are a fixture of ads for movies—see breakdowns of blurbs for Breach, Norbit, The Number 23, and more. Valentine's Day Is for Lovers—and the Rich, February 12, 2007 Gelf highlights overlooked coverage from local media around the world. In this edition: bumbling ATM thieves; a nun helps hire a prostitute; and a Hallmark Holiday is marked worldwide. Come See the Film That Rocked the Box Office Despite Bad Reviews, January 14, 2007 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on Notes on a Scandal, Freedom Writers, Children of Men, and more. Basketball's Forgotten Legend, January 1, 2007 Joe Lapchick was a star in the earliest years of pro basketball, coached successfully at St. John's, helped integrate the NBA—and is mostly forgotten today. His biographer talks about his eight-year project to revive Lapchick's name. A Quiet Football Visionary, January 1, 2007 For the New York Giants' first 81 years, Wellington Mara played a host of invaluable roles. He also helped establish the NFL's pre-eminence. His biographer tells Gelf about Mara's life and legacy. Hockey's Black Pioneers, January 1, 2007 Author Cecil Harris talks to Gelf about breaking the color barrier in the NHL, why the league hasn't yet found its Tiger Woods, and the NBA's perverse relationship with prison culture. Back to Top March-December 2006 Curt Flood's Tragic Fight, December 4, 2006 Brad Snyder, author of A Well-Paid Slave, tells Gelf how the legal fight for free agency has made baseball better, how he came to terms with the flaws of his book's hero, and why this fall's World Series was a publicity boon. I Like! (Some But Not All Things About This Movie), November 10, 2006 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on Borat, Volver, Babel, and more. Billy Wagner, Baseball Philosopher, October 15, 2006 The Mets closer is 'writing' an exclusive column during the playoffs for the New York Post. Gelf is writing an exclusive column tearing it apart. Marble's Memorable Mississippi Moment, October 9, 2006 Gelf interviews the doctor who told Dick Cheney to go fuck himself. Does ESPN Cheer Republicans?, October 4, 2006 A former college sportscaster and future lawyer creates a ruckus by accusing ESPN of injecting right-wing politics into its broadcasts. When Reporters Make News, August 29, 2006 To move a story along, one journalist files a complaint to the government, then writes about it. Plus: Salon can look at child porn, after all; "Big Bill" and other inventions from Norway; this Eddie Johnson did not molest that child; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. If You Quote the Reviews Accurately, the Terrorists Have Won, August 13, 2006 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on World Trade Center, Scoop, Miami Vice, and more. The Sun Also Rises on the Moon, July 1, 2006 China thinks Japan's flag is so pretty, it adopts the rising sun for its (slowly) rising space program. Plus: Naughty sources; Murtha's media comeuppance; ancient diamonds; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Sticking Up for the Refs, June 28, 2006 American ref Aaron Corman talks to Gelf about his World Cup blog, why we need to lay off the refs, and which rules changes could improve soccer. My Two Years With Barry Bonds, April 20, 2006 In an interview, Jeff Pearlman talks about his new biography of Barry Bonds, why book promotion can be fun, why he's drawn to baseball's fringe characters, and why the author shares in the blame for baseball's steroids scandal. Journey to 'Fantasyland', March 19, 2006 An interview with author Sam Walker about his obsessive ride through the fantasy-baseball scene. Back to Top January-February 2006 Don't Quote Me on That, February 24, 2006 A columnist lashes into his subject for selective quoting, but makes a mistake of his own. Is his paper to blame? Plus: An aggrieved cab driver; drunk docs; hog gambling; chicken wings; Enron perfume; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. 'Bad Movie, Good Actors', February 19, 2006 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on Brokeback Mountain, Freedomland, Nanny McPhee, and more. An Interview With The Smoking Gun, February 17, 2006 William Bastone, editor of the muckraking website, talks to Gelf about exposing author James Frey's fabrications and how the cover-up may have been as bad as the crime. We Spoke Too Soon, February 3, 2006 The press jumped the gun on Palestinian elections, but few publications corrected the error. Plus: A plagiarist and a fabulist; the New York Times parrots a suspect story; college media problems; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Double Team, January 30, 2006 Two Sports Illustrated writers talk to Gelf about their book Foul Lines, an NBA satire with some juicy material that doesn't always fit in the magazine. Albert Brooks, an Acquired Taste, January 29, 2006 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World, TransAmerica, The New World, and more. So Long, Plagiarists, January 23, 2006 Two longtime journalists lose their jobs for borrowing others' work, prompting some to wonder if the plagiarism police has gone too far. Plus: Holocaust numbers; that 'Friends' apartment; an old internet joke resurfaces; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Scare Quotes, January 19, 2006 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs in ads for movies takes on Hostel, The Ringer, The Producers, and more. Back to Top October-December 2005 Pill-Popping, December 25, 2005 A look behind the drug-ad parody Panexa. An Interview With the Consumerist, December 25, 2005 Former Gizmodo editor Joel Johnson tells Gelf about his new blogging assignment to expose evil companies and give tips for beating them. (This article was quoted in the New York Times.) Back to Top July-September 2005 Floodwater, Anyone?, September 23, 2005 What should Katrina's survivors drink? Don't look to the media for a safe answer. Plus: source-blowing; doctors' conflicts of interest; sperm kebabs; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. 2005's Best-Reviewed Steve Carell Movie, September 19, 2005 Our roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on 40 Year Old Virgin, HBO's Rome, I Am Charlotte Simmons, and more. Fighting for Press Freedom in Uganda, September 1, 2005 Andrew Mwenda, the prominent and outspoken Ugandan journalist arrested last month for sedition, speaks to Gelf about his case and why he won't stay silent. Irony Is Lost on the Copywriters, August 23, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on The Aristocrats, Dukes of Hazzard, Weeds, and more. Playing Defense, August 13, 2005 A newspaper fires an extremist writer, then blames bloggers; plagiarism as journalism's fig leaf; a fictional hockey career; protecting readers from a comic strip; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. (Part 2) Hustled, August 3, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on Hustle & Flow, Bad News Bears, Thomas Friedman's books, and more. Fantastic Four Is No Fun, July 26, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on Fantastic Four, Mind of Mencia, Sunday Philosophy Club, and more. Fuzzy Math and MollyMath, July 21, 2005 Counting Iraqi dead, labelling Bill O'Reilly, speedy wife-carrying, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Blind Justice, July 14, 2005 Volatile guilt, a reporter with a flair for fiction, taking it easy on priddy oggies, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Corrections 6/27-7/3, July 7, 2005 An Otis Day impostor, Gray Davis's mangled quote, Blue Man Group's labor woes, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Back to Top April-June 2005 Mark Cuban on Grokster, Redux, June 29, 2005 A Q&A with the Internet billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner about the Supreme Court's ruling in the online-piracy case and whether he thinks his money was well-spent. Blurb Racket 6/24/05, June 24, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on Heights, The Girl in the Café, Sahara, and more. America's Most-Eligible Blogger, June 23, 2005 An interview with Jason Mulgrew, whose blog improbably has landed him in People alongside Orlando Bloom and Jamie Foxx. Corrections 5/30-6/19, June 21, 2005 Scrabble editorials; a small but important omission; socialist socialites; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Blurb Racket 6/18/05, June 18, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater, and more—takes on Cinderella Man, Entourage, the latest from Nick Hornby and Umberto Eco, and more. Corrections 5/23-5/29, June 1, 2005 Borrowing run amok; rooting for the home team, whatever its name is; masochistic prison officers; and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Blurb Racket 5/31/05, May 31, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs—in ads for movies, books, theater—and more, takes on Madagascar, Empire Falls, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and more. Blurb Racket 5/24/05, May 24, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads takes on Star Wars, House of Wax, and more. Plus, new this week: Placing ad blurbs in context for videos, books, and theater. What We Can Learn From Michelle Delio, May 19, 2005 Lessons from a journalism scandal on color quotes, note-taking, and credibility problems. Corrections 5/9-5/15, May 16, 2005 The vagaries of death, foreign porn flicks, illiterate book coverage, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Corrections 5/2-5/9, May 10, 2005 Getting by with a little help, breakfast in bed, the divorce that wasn't, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Blurb Racket 5/9/05, May 9, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads exposes hellish out-of-context quotes for Kingdom in Heaven, thumbs its nose at the ad for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and more. Rumors and Innuendo, May 6, 2005 Gelf becomes the story as one of our articles sparks accusations and recrimination in an online message board for Liberians. Fast and Loose, May 5, 2005 What's the land-speed record for electric vehicles? It depends on whom you ask. Corrections 4/25-5/1, May 1, 2005 Mob bosses, false firsts, the truth about toothing, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Blurb Racket 4/29/05, April 29, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads finds hilariously absurd quotes about Monty Python's Holy Grail, loves to hate A Lot Like Love, and more. Blurb Racket 4/22/05, April 22, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads finds horrifying quotes about The Amityville Horror, interprets reviews of The Interpreter, and more. Craving Human Contact, April 20, 2005 The U.N.'s new food-aid videogame forgets that hungry mouths are attached to complex people. Blurb Racket 4/17/05, April 17, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads takes on Fever Pitch, Sahara, and more. Corrections 4/4-4/11, April 11, 2005 Colorblind reporters, Bo Jackson, pope problems, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Zooming In 4/9/05, April 9, 2005 Gelf highlights overlooked coverage from local newspapers around the world. In this edition: Security and diplomacy collide in Australia, pirates rule Indonesian waters, robots will patrol the DMZ, and more. Blurb Racket 4/8/05, April 8, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads takes on Kung Fu Hustle, Sin City, and more. Bracketology Redux, April 5, 2005 The NCAA tournament is over. How did the experts' picks turn out? Corrections 3/28-4/3, April 3, 2005 Second-hand sourcing, four-pound burgers, $11.5 million dinners, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Zooming In 4/2/05, April 2, 2005 Gelf highlights overlooked coverage from local newspapers around the world. In this edition: Malawi's soccer odyssey, Japanese prisoners' uniforms get a redesign, April Fool's hoaxes in Europe and South Africa, and more. Budget Sucks—but At Least It's On-Time!, April 2, 2005 In the New York Times's twisted report card for Albany's new budget, punctuality counts for more than math skills. Blurb Racket 4/1/05, April 1, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads takes on a sequel, a spinoff to a sequel, a "new-school" reviewer, and more. Back to Top January-March 2005 Mark Cuban on Grokster, March 29, 2005 A Q&A with the Internet billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner about the Supreme Court online-piracy case, movie studios' reaction to his public opposition to them, and the future of digital content. The Blurb Racket, 3/25/05, March 28, 2005 Our weekly roundup of misleading review blurbs in movie ads takes on two panned sequels, three indie flicks, and more. Sharing the Love, March 26, 2005 Illinois guards deserve their unselfish reputation. But will passing the rock bring them a national title? Gambling Man, March 24, 2005 A prominent sports columnist and his NCAA betting habits. Bubble Fatigue II, March 21, 2005 With the exception of N.C. State, the bubble teams in this year's NCAA hoops tournament live up to the trend of irrelevance. Corrections 3/14-3/20, March 20, 2005 The reaction that wasn't, revisiting Nixon's "I'm not a crook" line, the travails of Lestine Lewis, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. The Blurb Racket, March 20, 2005 In the critically acclaimed premiere of a Gelf feature, we look behind critic quotes from this week's movie ads, and find misquotes, blurb whores, and more. Off the Mark, March 19, 2005 In basketball, perception trails reality Pill Gets Rave Reviews, March 14, 2005 Aleve's movie-style ads quote health reporters like they're movie critics—and misquote one of them badly. Corrections 3/7-3/13, March 13, 2005 Faulty photos, Lazarus-like newsmakers, the job that wasn't, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Bubble Fatigue, March 12, 2005 Why you should ignore all the angst and hype about the NCAA tournament's worst teams. Hungry Man, March 9, 2005 Competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti shows up at a screening of the documentary about his feats of consumption. Corrections 2/28-3/6, March 7, 2005 The college freshman who wasn't, the solar system gets some unexpected company, and other enlightening and entertaining media corrections. Corrections 2/21-2/28, March 2, 2005 Beer rescues a Slovakian, Harvard is a pub in Cambridge, bozo journalism about gonzo journalism, and other enlightening and entertaining corrections. Corrections 2/14-2/20, February 21, 2005 Beer rescues a Slovakian, Harvard is a pub in Cambridge, bozo journalism about gonzo journalism, and other enlightening and entertaining corrections. Too Many Sports Guys, February 19, 2005 Bill Simmons has been fruitful and multiplied. The Wild Op-Ed Page, February 18, 2005 Maureen Dowd: lazier than bloggers. Our Favorite Corrections, 1/29-2/13, February 13, 2005 The perils of anecdotal journalism, a forged evite, and other enlightening and entertaining corrections. Redick's Rhymes, February 12, 2005 The bard of Durham. Awful Human Beings, February 12, 2005 What's with terrible people as product pitchmen? Teddy Bears' Aphrodisiac Powers, February 12, 2005 Do losers watch ESPN? The messed-up nature of Valentine's ads. Our favorite corrections, 1/24-28, January 31, 2005 When newspapers make mistakes, part uno. Round 247 of newspaper backlash against post-typewriter technology, January 26, 2005 Why the Dallas Morning News needs to wake up and smell the coffee.