...For The Ride Home: The 9:30 Club turns 30, Paramore singer caught in naked photo scandal and it's true about Alicia Keys

What a week. Not only did we continue our "Signs of Summer" series, but we unveiled a new feature that promises to entertain once a month. We again saw more people come around than we could have ever expected. And we celebrated two months. Goodness, gracious. Saying goodbye to week nine is almost heartbreaking. To send it off correctly, you will find a somewhat unofficial video for Alicia Keys' duet with Beyonce, "Put It In A Love Song," a track you should really try and work into your rotation this summer. Really. It's got all the elements of a nice little summer jam. It's a long weekend, friends, so we don't expect many of you to be around Monday (though, if that's not true, drop us a line in the comments section). We expect to see your fabulous digital faces back here, rippin' and ready to go Tuesday with new posts and more banter about any and everything under the sun. Make sure you stay safe this weekend, and be sure to celebrate accordingly with cookouts, beer, meat, burned skin and regrets (not in that order, of course). Before you embark on such things, though, take May's last ride with us, check out some nice links, explore the world that is "Running From Camera," get carried away and as Ms. Keys says in the bridge, "Work it baby, work it out." Until Tuesday, friends, love you, miss you.

One of the most popular places to see a show on the east coast is the 9:30 Club in D.C. This weekend, they celebrate 30 years of awesomeness. Side: Was last there to see Raphael Saadiq. Dude killed it. (Pollstar)

The Times-Picayune of New Orleans uses its front page to relay a message to the president. Those people down there are pisssssed. (Media Matters)

Remember those 50 Cent photos from yesterday? He talked about it to a Cleveland newspaper before kicking off his tour there last night. Bonus: Mase is brought up. (Call And Post)

ESPN will not revisit the tape surrounding Kansas City Chief wide received Dwayne Bowe’s comments about a girl being in every room of the team’s hotel. Something smells fishy. (Pro Football Talk)

Hulk Hogan is mad at commercials. So much, in fact, that he is going to sue them. What happened to Brooke Hogan’s VH1 show? And what’s the other half of the Nasty Boys up to these days? (Bleacher Report)

Gary Coleman is on life support. (ABC News)

The lead singer of Paramore had a photo leaked of her topless. She’s such an oddity. Can’t figure out if I find her attractive or not. Thoughts? (Billboard)

Improper text messages and phone calls. The University of Connecticut’s basketball team is in a heap of trouble. Sad. Kind of like Calhoun. (Fox Sports)

We speculated on this weeks and weeks ago. Today, it’s confirmed: Alicia Keys is indeed pregnant and engaged. Remember where you heard it first. (Rolling Stone)

...For The Ride Home: What can dreams do for you, great 'Fresh Prince' news and this LeBron's elbow thing is pretty funny

Some people consider a great start to a day rolling over to hug and kiss your loved one. Others may feel it great to start a day walking home from that very good but not great one-night stand, ready to get a shower, some breakfast and a desire to hit the night life once again that night. Some other people may enjoy coffee (though I prefer and demand a cup of tea each morning). And then there are some who stare at an immensely powerful white light to make sure they are completely awake for their forthcoming day. Us? That would be finding out that something called "Old Christine Quotes" is following us on Twitter now. Fabulous. A lot has been surrounding the show this week (will it move to ABC, and when will CBS pull the plug?), but for all the negativity seemingly making its swirl in and out of the program's orbit, it's hard not to love the show once you give it a chance. The hard part? Giving it a chance, of course. Be honest. "The New Adventures Of Old Christine" goes more unnoticed than census forms. It's criminal, too. Because for those who enjoy a nice throwback to '90s sitcoms featuring somewhat obvious humor and a laugh track, but aren't giving the show a shot, boy, you are missing out. In any case, follow the links and begin your preparation for the weekend. Well, that or read about how unlikable Elisabeth Hasselbeck has become. It's your choice. Be good, friends.

Dreams are fascinating. And they freak us out. For instance, had a dream last night about buying "Casablanca." Made me very happy in the dream. Woke up realizing it wasn't anywhere near and became sad. (CNN)

Been waiting for this day for years. “The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” season five is coming out on DVD. And it’s this Tuesday! (Amazon)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Like we said up top, “The New Adventures Of Old Christine” is one of the most fun shows to watch on television. When that and "Ugly Betty" goes, tears will be shed. (Monsters And Critics)

LeBron’s elbow is worse than what people thought. Maybe. Has anyone seen this? That’s just so funny. Cheap, but funny. (Ballin Europe)

Saw this piece this morning and just had to link it: CBS was losing so much money on the NCAA basketball tournament, the company considered paying ESPN to take it off its hands. (New York Times)

Be a man. Wear jewelry. Love bracelets, but don’t know if we can get on board with this. (GQ)

Your weekly “Idol” recap, this time from Slezak as he likens the ending of this season sputtering like a wind-up toy. Who has money on Big Mike? (Entertainment Weekly)

The star of “Weeds” is leaving. Always heard it was worth checking out, but never got around to it. (The Hollywood Reporter)

...For The Ride Home: "Goodfellas" guy speaks, Hulk Hogan takes insurance company to court and Coachella girls

Watched "The Godfather" for the first time ever last night. Fantastic. It made having to sit through "Public Enemies" last week seem as though I was getting a root canal. Hard pressed to find a character in a movie cooler than Vito Corleone. And Michael's wife while he was out of the country? Goodness gracious, she's pretty. As for today, don't forget the NFL Draft begins tonight, and lasts until August. It's Thursday, though, so you may want to get out and explore your college-town bars considering May is almost here and the spring semester is almost gone. If you don't want to do any of that, you can e-mail us at theunusualsuspectsblog@gmail.com, or follow us on Twitter, like good young people. Be well.

The New York Times turned a profit. Horaay! (Yahoo)

Hulk Hogan is suing his insurance company. Jimmy Hart plans to represent him in a court of law. (TMZ)

In honor of the text above, in relation to gangster movies, the guy “Goodfellas” was based around speaks about how the mob has run an underage prostitution ring. Wherever he is, I hope nobody knows. (CNN)

The Roots and Monsters Of Folk together? (Pitchfork)

Does anyone else find it troubling that all these model-like women made it out to Coachella? I mean, man. Out of the 31, how many do you think actually knew who Sly & The Family Stone were? Four? Since when did beautiful people proclaim it hip to go to dirty music festivals? (GQ)

Tim Tebow’s draft stock is on the rise? (Fox Sports)

Xtina is more seXual since becoming a mom. Who knew? (People)

So now the NCAA basketball tournament will expand…to 68 teams? (NPR)

...For The Ride Home: George Clooney, Richard Thomspon's music fest and losing sleep cures depression

Prerequisite for marriage No 1: She must have the exact hair style Ms. Jones has in this video. For those scoring at home, the above is the singer's latest single, and while we could have posted the official video for it, we decided it would be good to treat you, the intelligent and happy reader, to make sure the week's videos are all live performances. It's all out of love. Again, the below links are designed to catch you up on all you may have missed while scurrying your way through such a busy day. The Unusual Suspects: The place to go for all your up-to-date inside information. Remember that, friends. Release the cracken...

There is no sex tape with Sandra Bullock in it, and she wants you to know. This is sad, isn't it? She spends all that time thanking the dude while she literally reaches the pinnacle of her career, and all the while he likes ladies with tattoos and piercings. (ABC News)

Hate to love Duke or love to hate Duke, Scheyer's phone number tweet joke was awfully funny. (Deadspin)

For all the pregnant women out there: Sleepless nights may help you relieve depression. (New York Times)

Admittedly found this link while scurrying through other blogs this morning, but had to post it. Remember Ashley Dupre? The call girl? Spitzer? She's lonely and seeks love. Anyone interested? (Stiletto Suicide)

Richard Thompson is going to hold a festival in London and Elvis Costello, the entire Wainwright clan and Broken Bells will be there. Rest in peace, Kate McGarrigle. (NME)

Very, very interesting read on lesbians in pop culture. (Popmatters)

Recently watched "Up In The Air" for the second time and remembered how it's leaps and miles beyond any other movie in the last several years. That said, here's your obligatory George Clooney with girlfriend picture. By the way, she's really not a knock-out. Come on, man. You're George Clooney! (People)

"In the old days, columnists were on Mount Olympus. ...Obviously, things aren't like that anymore. An electrician in San Diego can easily have something more original to say than I do, and faster." (Star-Telegram)

Kanye West is recording a new album. Taylor Swift will not have a guest spot. (Billboard)

...For The Ride Home: MGMT, Carey and McCarthy are donzo and Messi is a better footballer than you

It's been brought to our attention that not everybody may be familiar with what ...For The Ride Home is supposed to be. To clarify, the following is a collection of links for you, the wonderfully smart reader, to ponder for the rest of the day, or, as some who may read this may experience, on the "ride home" from wherever it may be: Class, work, etc. Most blogs do this kind of thing in the morning, kind of like picking up a digital newspaper. Because we are both visionary and innovative (that was sarcastic, don't leave us comments telling us we are egotistical, now. We know we don't matter and in the wide-world of blogosphere, we are nothing more than a mere speck of dirt), we thought we'd provide the same thing, only at the end of the proverbial day. It also gives you something to do when you realize your night's plans may have fallen through. We do this because we care. It will be accompanied with an introductory paragraph such as the one you are reading now. That paragraph will be about...well, anything. Because this is Norah Jones Week around these parts, consider the above video, a live performance of the fabulous "Chasing Pirates." If we could find the official video to embed, we would because goodness gracious, she's so cute in it. Enjoy. Comment. Sing. Laugh. Or, in case you missed it, check out how great and powerful females can be. Or, follow us on Twitter. Or, well, smile. Why? Because smiling cures the common cold. Not really. But if it did, we'd all be a little less depressed.

MGMT is touring! MGMT is touring! (Spin)

Bob Ryan was definitely not happy with last night's women's championship game. Monday's? That's a different story. (Boston Globe)

Jim Carey and Jenny McCarthy are done. Bummer. They were so easy to root for. (Miami Herald)

Super late, but we miss college basketball already. And if Gus Johnson's calling it, we're watching it. You're welcome in advance for the hours you can waste on this thing. (Soundboard)

Questlove took in the Thom Yorke show last night. And, well, he loved it. (Twitter)

Can't ignore this: Lionel Messi really is the best player in the world. One hat trick. 21 minutes. And a lost season for Arsenal. (ThinkSpain)

Speaking of strong beautiful women, hope to take in the Jill Scott/Maxwell tour this summer. Just not sure where yet. (All Hip-Hop)

If you can't find three laugh-out-loud lines in this "American Idol" recap, don't bother reading another thing in your life. (Washington Post)

March Madness or Michael Buble... Bring on Buble.

Is it less masculine to hate college basketball in March or love Michael Buble all year round? For my money, I’d take the Canadian crooner over March Madness any day. Honest to God, our ears haven’t experienced a serenader like Buble since Old Blue Eyes himself… Forget beer, forget maple syrup and forget the hilarious images of lawmen riding around on horses – Canada’s greatest gift to the U.S. is clearly this foxy balladeer.

And what’s up with all the references to homosexuality every time this heartthrob’s name is mentioned? For the most part, musically anyways, the dude unmistakably pays homage to a group of guys who cleared the way for the acceptance of male chauvinism, the practice of slipping roofies into drinks and the degradation of women-folk worldwide... wait a minute…



And college basketball in March… Forgive this for sounding terse, but seriously, who cares? For 11 months out of every year, we all could give two craps about who Murray State, Robert Morris and (insert obligatory no-name school here) are. Then all of the sudden they’re in a tournament with the five college teams we HAVE heard of and we all decide to take sick days from work to catch a few games? Now I understand I’m probably in the minority here, but I just find it more entertaining to watch the PROFESSIONALS as opposed to the AMATEURS. I mean, does anyone feverishly watch minor league baseball? Other than the friends and family of those on the field – I doubt it. Could I do what these guys do? Absolutely not; they’re all finely tuned athletic machines. I just don’t get the fan obsession I suppose.

And the worst part of March Madness… SportsCenter. There must be some official memo sent out to all ESPN staff that states “During the month of March, if anyone so much as mentions hockey, football, baseball, golf or any other athletic event that is NOT college basketball, disciplinary action will be taken and you will not be a part of our hilarious commercials.”



To paraphrase the late, great comedian Mitch Hedberg, if SportsCenter during the month of March was a pie chart about what you would do if you found $1 million, college basketball would be the “Keep it” portion of the pie chart. All other sports combined would be the “Donate it to charity” slice.



- The Suspect