Camden County Library Teen Zone

This One Goes Out To Fans of The Wire

Here's some fascinating reading for those of you who are budding sociologists & economists:  Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Street Gangs (But Didn't Know Whom To Ask), an interview with gang expert Sudhir Venkatesh.  He has a book about gang life coming out in 2008, called Gang Leader For a Day. 

Venkatesh talks about what makes a gang a gang, how racial perceptions alter our views of gang membership and activity, and the likelihood (low, Venkatesh thinks) that Jay-Z and 50 Cent were ever big-time crack dealers. 

The interview is published at the Freakonomics blog.  If you like what you read, you might want to pick up the book.  Place your holds here.

American Idol: Who's Your Favorite?

So, I'm watching American Idol for the first time this year.  Yes, somehow I've managed to dig my way out from under the rock of cluelessness that I've been trapped under and am reveling in the show.  Due to TV schedule conflicts (read: we watch Gilmore Girls & Veronica Mars on Tuesdays), I can only watch the Wednesday night episodes featuring the girls, but based on the judge's comments, that's a good thing.  I guess the guys just aren't bringing the YO! factor this year. 

I am loving Melinda and Lakisha, of course, but I also like Gina and Jordin.  I should be able to offer opinions on the guys once the two groups are blended together for the final twelve.  Who are your favorite contestants in this edition of Idol?  Discussion is open in the comments!  Just keep it clean.  :-)

The O.C.: Is Anyone Still Watching?

So, next week's season premiere of The O.C. is now available online.  The question is, does anyone plan to watch it?  Last season was...well, uneven would be a nice way to put it, I think, and the whole Southern California thing has really been usurped by Laguna Beach.  I admit, I no longer TiVo this show, thanks to Grey's Anatomy moving into the Thursday 9 PM slot, but I think I'll probably program the old VCR to record at least the first 2 or 3 episodes.  Rachel Bilson is always worth watching, and Peter Gallagher, owner of the Greatest Eyebrows in Television, is also a favorite of mine.  This is your last chance, Cohen!

The library owns copies of many shows on DVD.  A small selection of what we have:

Best of Jimmy Fallon (SNL) (actually, we have the full SNL Best-Of series)

Grey's Anatomy Season 1, Season 2 Uncut, and the first soundtrack. The second volume of the soundtrack is on order.

Veronica Mars Season 1, Season 2, and the soundtrack.

Battlestar Galactica Season 1, Season 2.0, and Season 2.5

Family Guy Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3

For the nostalgiac, we have The Ren & Stimpy Show Seasons 1 and 2, Season 3 and a half-ish, and Season 5 and some more of 4

And for fans of British humor, there's multiple seasons of Blackadder, the complete Fawlty Towers, The Office, and the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (among others).

Don't see your favorite listed?  Search the DVD collection!  If we don't have what you want, you can request it using our Wish List form (it says "Interlibrary Loan Request", but trust me: it's both a Wish List and an ILL request form).

So, what's your favorite show this season? List them in the comments.