Person: Tori & Dean
How do you say "Huh?" in Swedish? The geniuses behind Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's latest reality saga have inexplicably lined up home-furnishings giant IKEA to sponsor a series that will send the couple on a cross-country road trip - i.e., far from home. Viewers can expect to see on-air billboards and at least two episodes featuring a kitchen makeover care of the Swedish maker of all things disposable. Should the marriage sour, we guarantee that this will be one separation in which neither party fights over the furniture.
Place: Vampire U
Listen up, Lestat lovers: The University of Hertfordshire in England will be offering a master's degree in vampire lit, apparently the only one of its kind in the world. We imagine that the program, which begins this September, will cover all the bloodsucking basics, from Nosferatu to Twilight to of course Anne Rice. Extra credit for anyone who scores an interview with a vampire.
Thing: Obama Jeans Wear
Blogs were buzzing this week about travel writer Kristin Luna's discovery of a denim line named after the POTUS. Obama Jeans Wear - a dubious nod perhaps to his penchant for ill-fitting "dad jeans" - are being sold at a market in the Rwandan town of Gisenyi and who knows where else. Clearly the manufacturers neglected to get his presidential seal of approval: Just check out the heraldic crest (gryphons included!) and the word Obama written in bold red (red!) letters. What's next? Palin Fine Furs for fall/winter 2012.
Amy Verner