Taking stock of people and ideas in the news.

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• Tenaciously Disappointing The tragic squandering of Jack Black's awesomeness.
  Sam Anderson Dec. 13, 2006
  
• Troubadork Twenty-five years of "Weird Al" Yankovic.
  Sam Anderson Oct. 19, 2006
  
• Zach Braff Why is this guy the voice of my generation?
  Josh Levin Sept. 22, 2006
  
• Billie Jean King An equal-opportunity rabble-rouser.
  June Thomas Aug. 30, 2006
  
• Ehud Olmert Israel's prime minister had one epiphany. He needs another.
  Gershom Gorenberg July 21, 2006
  
• A Prairie Home Conundrum The mysterious appeal of Garrison Keillor.
  Sam Anderson June 16, 2006