The Must List: October 6, 2006
TV
1. 'FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS'
Exec-produced by the director of the 2004 movie, NBC's drama explores
the near-gravitational pull of a Texas high school football program and
a season of life-or-death contests. Preview >
MUSIC
2. 'AND I FEEL FINE....,' REM
Talk about the passion: The two-CD set — of both hits and rarities — is a fine sampler of the pioneering alt-rockers' incredible five years on the
I.R.S. label.
BOOKS
3. 'CHICKEN WITH PLUMS,' BY MARJANE SATRAPI
From the author of Persepolis: A famed Iranian musician plunges into
despair when a prized instrument is destroyed. Review >
DVD
4. 'MARTHA'S HALLOWEEN IDEAS'
Made by Martha Stewart: an adorable baby-chicken costume. Made by you: a
shapeless sack that mocks you and makes your child cry.
MOVIE
5. 'OLD JOY'
Nothing — and everything — happens to two friends on a weekend camping trip. And if you miss this gem in theaters, you can always put it in your
Netflix queue. Review >
TV
6. 'UGLY BETTY'
A sweet but homely girl faces torment in the big-city offices of a glamorous fashion magazine, where she is gainfully — if improbably — employed. TV Watch >
TV
7. SARAH PAULSON ON 'STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP'
Her character — a devoutly religious comedy-show star — might turn out to be Studio 60's most complex and compelling character. Review >
BOOKS
8. 'THE ROAD,' BY CORMAC MCCARTHY
A father and his young son journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
McCarthy's 10th novel is terrifying and moving — and wondrously literate. Review >
MUSIC
9. 'GIVE 'EM ALL A BIG FAT LIP,' THE WHIGS
Like R.E.M. (see No. 2), the Whigs hail from Athens, Ga. Their indie-rock style is noisy and retro — think Superchunk meets the Replacements.
DVD
10. 'SATURDAY TV FUNHOUSE'
Enjoy a collection of Robert Smigel's acidly droll cartoon shorts — including ''The Ambiguously Gay Duo'' — on a Saturday Night Live best-of DVD.
