Ennealogic: July 12, 2013

1. Could the most diabolically interesting spin-off actually happen? There’s still a chance that it might, says Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Here’s hoping they forego the obvious “Better Call Saul” title in favor of the something with more wit, that on the surface seems expected and unexciting but hides a darkness underneath. You know, like Walter White. Allow me to propose the perfect title:

Saul Goodman: Criminal Lawyer

You’re welcome, AMC.

[Fever and Loss of Law Suit]

– – –

2. When not in session, Republican Congressmen moonlight as Pyura chilensis, a rock-like creature that remains completely immobile, tastes bitter, is filled with crude oil, and “reproduces by tossing clouds of sperm and eggs into the surrounding water and hoping they knock together.”

[Bad Habits & Political Excitement]

– – –

3. This is the iron throne, as George R.R. Martin imagined it. Artist Marc Simonetti painted a stunning version of fantasy’s most coveted piece of furniture. Kind of makes the show’s throne look like something from Sky Mall.

[Novel Reading]

– – –

4. Arrested Development‘s fourth season may not have been as acclaimed as its first three, but true to form, there is still a bottomless well of gags that take a little effort to pay off: George Michael Bluth’s unfailing internal clock.

[Over Action of the Mind]

– – –

5. Charlie Kaufman and Guillermo del Toro have agreed to adapt Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. So it goes.

[Feebleness of Intellect]

– – –

6. Next week, Anobium’s own Joshua Cretella will meditate on a long-forgotten Bergman film, but in the meantime, stock up on the filmmaker’s more popular entries as Barnes & Noble hosts their annual Criterion Collection sale.

[Greediness]

– – –

7. This American Life reaches a milestone this Friday with the show’s 500th episode. And what’s a more American way to celebrate than with a cheaply produced clip show (of sorts): the producers scour the archives and recall their favorite moments from the show’s run.

[Time of Life]

– – –

8. The Boston Strangler has finally been identified. And in a twist right out of the movies, it ended up being the guy who confessed more than 40 years ago.

[Women Trouble]

– – –

9. Curious what those [bracketed phrases] above are all about? They’re examples of reasons for admission into the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 1864-1889. Welcome aboard, all.