Velociriot!

[Note from the editors: We're revamping this feature, just like we're revamping much of the site! Each week, the staff will compile a list of things that have made us happy or brightened our spirits for the last several days. Miss us on the weekends? At least our new favorites can keep you occupied until Monday.]

TV

“The Lizzie Bennet Diaries”
Everyone and their brother is gushing about “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries”, so I don’t need to say much. Whether or not you’re a fan of Jane Austen’s pivotal novel Pride & Prejudice, you should check out this excellently crafted YouTube series, which incorporates all kinds of other Internet media (especially Twitter – the show has a feed, as well as each of the characters and the actors) to adapt the classic love story to the modern day. This week, things got particularly intense… And I’m waiting with bated breath for more. The cast is lovely and the vlog format is great, because episodes are short and to the point, but packed to the brim with character development. – Sam 

Found here.

“30 Rock”
On Thursday, the final episode of NBC’s “30 Rock” aired. “30 Rock” has been my “happy show” for nearly five years. It’s been my go-to for whenever I’m feeling down, or sick, or just kind of “blah.” Tina Fey, although she’s had problematic moments, has always been an inspiration to me and I found solace in her characterization of herself, Liz Lemon, in the show. Liz Lemon wasn’t a Carrie Bradshaw; she liked TV and food (there’s a great scene where Liz gives up chasing after a man for her sandwich, shouting “I can have it all!”). Liz Lemon laughed at herself. And to insecure, 14 year-old me (and even now), Liz Lemon’s self-inflicted humor was the most comforting thing. Liz Lemon — Tina, if I may — you taught me I can have it all. I think I need a hug plane. – Amanda

Music

At first, GLAM appealed to me for all the obvious reasons: cute girls singing catchy songs and dancing their hearts out. That’s the outlook I maintained since first hearing the band late last year. Recently, however, it came to my attention that I should appreciate GLAM for more than just that. The four-member group debuted last year and has currently released two singles. The one I feel deserves recognizing is the first of the two, a super fun tune by the name of “Party (XXO)”. Why does it deserve the spotlight over the band’s second single, “I Like That”? Well, South Korea is known for being a conservative, somewhat radical country. The number of queer representations I’ve seen in South Korean media can be count on one hand and yet, GLAM’s debut single features the lyrics “Are you a boy? girl? / I don’t care / passion is the key” and the song goes on to say that “anyone can be Romeo” and if “the heart starts to race, you’re Juliet.” A Korean pop (Kpop) girl group singing about how gender doesn’t matter when it comes to love? Wow, fantastic, baby. – Payge

Harry Potter

“Wait,” you’re thinking — and don’t deny it — “the Harry Potter fandom is a dried-up wasteland now, isn’t it? All the movies and books are out and have been read and discussed for years now so it’s over.” You, my dear friend, are so blissfully wrong. This week, I was introduced to a Tumblr image set that’s still making the rounds years later with Harry-Potter-malapropism-studded lyrics to Pink’s “Raise Your Glass”. Behold a small sample of the wonder, on the right.

Likewise, over on Twitter, Muggle Hustle is live-tweeting the entire book series as he reads them for the first time. The commentary is so refreshingly crass that you might be motivated like I was to dust off your old copies and reread them as well. This week he’s started getting into the meat of the seventh and final book of the series, so check it out while it lasts!

Likewise, his site updated so that now all of the live-tweeting on the previous books can be read in chronological order. Read it with me and watch the Harry Potter renaissance begin.  –William