Few can cut to the heart of the commercialization of Christmas with poetic vulgarity like Denis Leary. (Big tip of the hat to Blue Fairlane for this. Also, NSFW due to said poetic vulgarity). more ›

Denis Leary thought the nth degree of cigarette warnings was a brand called Tumors sold in a black pack with a skull and crossbones on it. 17 years later, he’s not that far off. The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday they will be requiring graphic warning labels that cover half a package’s front and rear and the top 20 percent of all cigarette ads starting in 2012. more ›

We fell in love with Denis Leary's vitriol-fueled rants back during his cigarette smoke-spewing days as an MTV station ID man. Back then we considered him to be the result of comedic trend popularized by Dennis Miller ... both had that smart rapid fire delivery to their attacks, only where Miller pounded you over the head with his brains, Leary allowed his intelligence to sucker punch you from behind. more ›

Protest over national vs. regional chains, the never-ending debate over the place of cars and bicycles in our metropolises, professional sports scandals, remembering a solemn day, and being issued a search warrant - it all happened across our sites this week! Another banner week at Chicagoist started off with daily reports from food writer Lisa Shames on her attempt to eat only locally grown and raised foodstuffs all week as part of a farmers market... more ›