Cambridge's elite academic institutions enjoy a friendly rivalry, but this is getting ridiculous, no?

Sure, that deported Russian spy had a degree from Harvard's Kenedy School of Government -- what self-respecting Ruskie doesn't bleed Crimson? But MIT, not to be outdone, is now (allegedly) implicated in the (potentially) treasonous release of thousands of classified documents relating to the U.

Well, kids, it's the morning after. Last night's season premier of "Jersey Shore" is over-- it's just about that time when there's not much else to do but locate our skivvies (what are they doing in the fridge?,) scrape the vomit off our shoes and stagger bleary-eyed into the harsh light of morning. Hoping that we don't run into anyone who knows our parents on the way to the car (where is that car?)

Author Bret Easton Ellis didn't ask to be turned into a hot, sexy myth. But he's not exactly complaining about it, either.

"It's so interesting to see how the myth takes over," he told a Brattle Theatre audience, in response to a question about how it felt to be "young and hot" when he first tasted literary success.

I'm no political legacy. My Brooklyn-Queens pedigree is rooted in the non-mob side of the garment business, while my mother is a teacher and my dad is a writer. But due to recent happenings in the United States House of Representatives, I've come to understand how easy it is for relatives of politicians to ignore evidence that suggests their beloved family members are liars, thieves, and even reprehensible scumbags.

STOP! Hammer Time

Stuff to do, free of charge:

Nini & Ben | Alt-folk | Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston | Tonight, July 29 @ 6 pm | 617.478.3100

Black Eyed Peas Karaoke Competition | Sing to win tickets to the group's Boston show | Kings Back Bay, 50 Dalton St, Boston | Tonight, July 29 @ 9 pm | kingsbackbay.

Ever the envelope-pushers (remember when nothing could come between Brooke Shields and her Calvins?) Calvin Klein has long been known for their provocative, overtly sexual, and sometime straight up weird ad campaigns. As Nina Garcia would tell a hapless Project Runway contestant proudly displaying yet another crotchless jumpsuit made entirely out of polyester and used condoms: "Sometimes I really question your taste level."

As an unabashedly devoted follower of anything that's been designated "reality" and features misguided youths behaving very badly, I was one of the first in line at the Middle East last night. Word was, MTV would be in the house holding auditions for one of their more low-brow reality cluster fucks (and that's saying alot) "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" I've only seen the show once or twice in passing, and believe me it's no "Jersey Shore" (or even "Tool Academy", VH1's answer to the wave of douche-centric television dominating the media right now) but I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the mechanics behind a show with past episodes entitled "Bro-Flex" and "Douchelander."

BP's $20 billion fund to compensate those hurt by the Gulf oil spill will probably turn down one controversial class of claims: those for mental health problems.

In little-noted testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on July 21, Kenneth Feinberg, the independent "claims czar" who will decide who gets compensated, said the fund was not likely to pay damages for mental illness and distress alleged to be caused by the spill.

Coincidentally timed with the promotion of her new movie, Easy A! It's funny how that works. Nothing like a little controversial career tweet-age to generate some interest in a sure-to-be-generic rom-com. On a side note, we believe Bynes does still find black men very attractive.

And in related news, Jay Z is also, still, un-retired. We'll have all the breaking news on that story as it develops.

Pernice teamed up with puppeteer Bobby Smithney to create a web series based on his grumping. Thus far, "Pernice to Me: the Series" has three delightful episodes that will appeal to anyone who likes Pernice, gruffness, Wonder Showzen, puppet theater based on Twitter conversations, or any combination thereof.

In all the Comic-Con fuss, another type of 'con' may have been overlooked. Though we don't see how that's possible. Erstwhile "Dawson's Creek" star and mightiest Duck, Joshua Jackson hosted a one-man convention outside of Comic-Con's entrance this weekend: Pacey-Con 2010. True story. For anyone who was in a coma, residing in the far reaches of Eastern Europe or being held captive by a fanatical religious cult in the late 90's; that would be Pacey Witter.

Join us here at 12:30 pm for our first "Mad Men Monday" live post-show discussion of our favorite remaining show on television (RIP Lost; we loved you so... especially Hurley and Claire. But not Kate). It will be just like our Lost chat-jams, except now we'll do them after instead of while the show airs.

^{Jon Hamm as Don Draper}

"Who is Don Draper?"

So season four of AMC's Mad Men begins, with a one-legged reporter probing the creative mind behind the new Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. As viewers know, mysterious ad man Draper (played by Jon Hamm) - with his gruff, Midwestern demeanor and cache of deep, dark secrets - is not fond of talking about himself, and, let's be honest, even he might not know the answer to that particular question.

Not easily swayed by loss, they went with their go-to routine

While keeping a tight lip on all things Mad Men Season Four-related when talking to Diane Sawyer via Skype, Matthew Weiner let a bomb slip: given the choice between demure blonde Betty and redhead bombshell Joan, he opted for ...Trudy.

Trudy, as in Mrs. Pete Campbell, as in actress Alison Brie (who also doubles as Annie Edison on another TV triumph, Community).