* Via MeFi, the classic "Shakespeare in the Bush" essay which debunked (among other things) the notion that the story of Hamlet (or any story) is universal.

* Salon argues that between Deadwood and Brokeback Mountain, the Wild West is back.

* Because she plays a psychiatrist on TV, Lorraine Bracco now has a memoir out about depression. She also says the final 8 episodes will be better than the last week's finale was.

* The US plays the Czech Republic (#2 in the FIFA rankings) today in what's being called the Group of Death. Italy plays Ghana. Get your previews here. While you're waiting for the game to start, check out the Goal of the Century (video), which occurred just a few minutes after the infamous Hand of God goal.

* And Polite Dissent highlights Mark Millar's Superman for the Animals comic as part of their PSA week.