The Buzz Weekend Recap
by Mike KrumboltzSep 14, 2008
"Saturday Night Live" made its highly anticipated season premiere, while Hurricane Ike pummeled the Gulf Coast and southeast Texas. Jennifer Hudson got engaged, and a respected author died too soon. Check out the stories you missed in the Buzz weekend recap.
Open season on Sarah Palin
As soon as Sarah Palin started talking about pit bulls and lipstick, you just knew the cast of "Saturday Night Live" couldn't wait to make fun of the vice-presidential candidate. And that they did. In the season premiere (hosted by Michael Phelps), Tina Fey returned to her old stomping grounds for a dead-on impression, complete with a promlike up-do, rimless glasses, and nasal twang. A slew of recaps buzzed pretty loudly, but searches on "tina fey sarah palin" roared like an angry moose.
The wrath of Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike wasn't as bad as some had feared, but its trail of destruction still left 13 dead and thousands homeless. Many are still recovering. Power continues to be in short supply as efforts turn toward rescuing those elected to stay and ride out the storm. An article on the effect the hurricane will have on gas prices scorched the Buzz, as did searches for "red cross" and "hurricane preparedness."
David Foster Wallace dies at 46
The gifted writer best known for his novel "Infinite Jest," died over the weekend from an apparent suicide. There was an instant surge of interest in Wallace's novels, biography, and photos. We also witnessed a tremendous increase in lookups for Pomona College, where Wallace taught. Articles in the Buzz, including an appraisal from the New York Times, drew incredible interest as did this one from Time which features examples of his brilliance and skill.
Also buzzing this weekend...
• Jennifer Hudson got engaged to David Otunga, best known for his role in the reality show "I Love New York 2." People magazine says that the couple has been dating for less than a year. When you're dating a dream girl, you gotta move fast.
• George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," married his longtime partner Brad Altman in Los Angeles. The wedding took place mere months after California lifted the ban on gay marriage.