ADVICE SOUGHT: So, yes, Jen and I are finally going to get TiVo. I just want to make sure we're doing this right. We have an HD-capable television at home and Comcast digital cable, which currently is broadcasting a few channels in high-def in addition to normal.

My questions:

1. Is this 80-hour unit on sale at Amazon what we should be buying? Is there an argument to be made for (a) buying it at a retail store, as opposed to online; (b) a different type of TiVo unit; or (c) a different unit (ReplayTV?) altogether?

2. Is there any reason to wait for a next-generation model at this point?

3. Should we be purchasing the lifetime plan or monthly service?

4. Is there anything else we need to know?

Thanks for your advice. The Comments section is open for business.

IS ROGER EBERT SMOKING THE CRACK? He liked both American Pie 3 ("it has a sweetness that is impossible to discount, and it is often very funny", ***) and Gigli ("Affleck and Lopez create lovely characters . . . and the supporting performances and a lot of the dialogue is wonderful", ** 1/2) today.

Incidentally, I'm not going to compile Gigli reviews today. It's too easy. I mean, even the favorable reviews have lines like these:

But, surely to the chagrin of film scholars everywhere, "Gigli" is actually a moderately entertaining romantic comedy that endeavors to discuss issues of repressed homosexuality, Freudian phallic theory and "the feminine mystique" in an intelligent and thought-provoking manner. The fact that "Gigli"'s script writers are about as knowledgeable in these areas as a first-year community college undergrad is really beside the point.

Gobble, gobble.

STRAIGHT EYES SPOT THE QUEER GUY: Regular reader Paul Niehaus has a sighting to report:

I'm walking home from work last week, jacket slung over my shoulder, briefcase in hand, and I pass by Bumble & Bumble, a high-end skin-care shop. As it's midtown Manhattan, I don't really look twice at the TV/movie production crew loitering around outside -- you could use half these guys to build a new bridge across the East River, and no one would notice.

But, I realize that one of the guys sipping water while waiting for the next take is Carson Kressley of QESG fame. Having little better to do, I amble over and tell him that I love his show. Carson thanks me, and then conversation goes like this:

Carson: You've got an okay look going here -- nice, conservative, love the bag. But we have to do something about those pleated pants.

Me: I know. My wife insists that all my new pants be flat front.

Carson: She's absolutely right -- wouldn't want to make your butt look big.

Me: I'm working on it.

Carson: Let me guess, lawyer?

Me: Yes.

Carson: Like a cheap novel. I read you like a cheap novel.

Production Assistant: Carson, final take!

Carson: Right -- see you later!

And that was my brush with Mr. Kressley. Now if I can only run into Ted at Sherry Lehman . . .

Hey, we're not Gawker, but if you have a good sighting to report, send it in.

HOME TOWN PRIDE: On last week's Dollar Hot Dog Day at the Vet, the 37,164 Phillies fans in attendance consumed more than 43,000 hot dogs.

You do the math.

Via CNNSI's Tom Verducci.

DON'T YOU REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVED ME BABY? If you're looking for Ruben Studdard or Clay Aiken, don't bother turning on the radio.

AND ALL THIS TIME, I WAS THINKING SALTINES: So, what food goes best with muktuk?

Turns out, it's donuts. Here's the pictures.

[Homer]Mmmm . . . . fermented whale meat and donuts . . . .[/Homer]

NOW THAT HE'S LOST WEIGHT WHAT IS HE GONNA DO WITHOUT IT? Rapper/actor Heavy D is now merely Husky D.