Punditfic

Unfinished fic: Calyx

2014-07-20T01:39:50Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: Calyx
Rating: PG-13
Characters/pairings: "Stephen" and family; eventual "Stephen"/OCs; Jon
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Work of parody; work of fiction; the characters aren't mine.

Young "Stephen" doesn't have the greatest parents, but a supportive neighbor changes the course of his life. Comfort fluff with a twist.

(This is a WIP that I stopped properly writing in late 2011, with the unfinished scenes loosely sketched-in. It's never going to be finished, at least not as originally intended, but it should hold together well-enough to be worth posting. Warning for character death, though it's only from old age.)

( He didn't even go to church, although Mama said he was a nice man: a little eccentric, but still a Poor Dear Thing for reasons that nobody talked about. )

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AO3 Changes Poll: Results!

2013-06-16T23:24:57Z

Posted by: unquietspirit

The results are in! And with a majority of the vote, "Pundit RPF" and "Pundit RPF (US)" have been combined under the new name "Pundit & Broadcast Journalist RPF (US)" until non-US works are posted. "Real News RPF" is keeping its name.

I've already made the appropriate changes on the Archive, and it looks like everything went smoothly from my end, but if you notice anything wonky with your tags or the way your works are sorting, please let me know or submit a Support ticket.

As always with stuff we wranglers do, this doesn't change the tags on your works, only the way those tags are organized. You can continue tagging however you'd like.

( Pretty pie charts from the poll are under the cut. :) )

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AO3 Changes Poll

2013-06-02T01:34:43Z

Posted by: unquietspirit

Since taking over tag-wrangling of Real News RPF, Pundit RPF, and Pundit RPF (US) about a month ago, I've been speaking to sailorptah, my counterpart on the Fake News side of things, about making a few changes. We think we've worked out the broad outline of what we want to do, but of course we'd also like to seek input from the fandom.

( Read more... )

Hey, all! You still got plenty of time to take the poll, don't worry. I just wanted to address a couple of comments/concerns I've gotten, in case they start some debate. (Note: The survey is completely anonymous. I don't know who left these.)

On question #1: No: Too US-centric, seems unwelcoming to non-USians

I'm not sure what this means, really. I think it's trying to say it seems unwelcoming to non-US fans? In which case, I should point out that the "(US)" refers to where the news agencies are based, not the fans, the same as with any other fandom with a "(US)" disambiguation. Also, the "(US)" was originally added with the thought that it was less US-centric to have it rather than assume people knew, or assume works about news personalities based in other countries would belong to the same fandom.

On question #2: I don't have a specific suggestion, but I think it's important to somehow better include Fake News in the name, otherwise it'll seem like "TV News RPF" (or similar) is only for real news anchors, and "Punditry and TV News RPF" (or similar) extends that to include pundits in the classic sense, but not Fake News. Can't it be something like "TV News (Real & Fake)"?

I do take your point, and ideally, yes, I'd love to call it something like that, but keeping the "Pundit" part of the name is very important, for two reasons:

Fandom tradition - "Pundit RPF" is what many people have called the fandom for a long time now, and I don't think it would be fair to change it entirely. Such a change might have been feasible years ago, but not now. We're trying to preserve as much of the tradition as possible while also reflecting how the fandom is growing.
Ease of transition - We wanted to keep "Pundit" as the beginning of the fandom name so it would still be where people expect it to be on the main Fandoms pages of the Archive and would still pop up in the autocomplete when tagging things.

I considered "Punditry & TV News (Real & Fake) RPF (US)", but it seemed pretty cumbersome. However, if a majority of people like it, of course we'll go with that. :)

Standard disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not for the Archive or the OTW, and you're welcome to tag your works with anything you like.

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Series rec: Tea Party Report

2013-04-17T05:15:24Z

Posted by: erinptah

And all the other videos from Susie Sampson, bright-eyed star of fake conservative journalism. If the Report employed correspondents, she would be one of them. (Personal headcanon: in any AU where "Stephen" ends up taking over as host of TDS, she is so hired.)

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Discussion: Women who could be hosting TDS

2013-03-26T00:34:26Z

Posted by: erinptah

A list of recommendations for women who could have taken over TDS in Jon's absence. Discuss!

Personally, to start with the obvious: I would be all over a Tina Fey guest hosting. She has political and social satire cred up to her ears, even previous fake-news-anchoring experience. (To say nothing of how she's brilliant and funny and perfect.)

Sam was an obvious choice for her seniority, and I sort of wonder if she was offered the spot but turned it down to focus on other things this summer. (Jason I know for sure is trying to get an original comedy series off the ground.)

Sarah Haskins is someone I've dreamed about them pulling in as a correspondent. Her "Target: Women" series is basically a recurring TDS bit without the rest of TDS around it.

While Kristen is wonderful in her own bits, I feel like she's too much of a quirky character to really step into Jon's everyman role. On the other hand, maybe that would make it more interesting -- it's a temporary switch anyway, so they might as well experiment with it.

Lizz Winnstead wouldn't be much of a departure from the norm at all. You listen to her standup and you can hear the DNA of TDS in it. Not just the same topics, but the same attitudes toward them, even the same beats with the jokes.

Olivia isn't on the list, but honestly, of all the female correspondents, I feel like she'd be most able to pull off a Jon behind the desk. She can be serious in a way that doesn't feel character-y, has the right kind of snark, and could hit similar notes when called for in terms of being geeky, excited, deadpan ("um, yeah, I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean what you think it means"), and Overcome With Emotion. Plus she has the best Not Impressed faces.

...Am I the only person around who doesn't think Sarah Silverman is funny? I remember when she first started hitting it big there were articles along the lines of "wow, she's willing to do just as much grossout-factor-based humor as male comics!" But I don't think that stuff is funny even when the guys do it :/ The shock factor of casually bringing up bodily fluids is no substitute for actually being witty or original.

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Third Monday fic: I've Got No Strings To Hold Me Down

2013-03-02T08:12:29Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: I've Got No Strings To Hold Me Down
Rating: G
Cast: Wyatt, Aasif, Jessica, John Oliver, Larry, Jon, various celebrity cameos
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Third Monday fic for count_nickula. (On the AO3.) After Wyatt delivers his final TDS segment, he goes off to travel the world. But he will always be with his Daily Show friends in some form. Specifically, felt.

( 'This week has been awesome. Crazy awesome. But I gotta move on. The road just keeps calling to me, you know?' )

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Fic: John Oliver's Infinitely Recursive Fanfiction Adventure

2013-02-25T04:58:28Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: John Oliver's Infinitely Recursive Fanfiction Adventure
Rating: PG
Cast: John, others
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Based on a true story.

(The real-world John Oliver is advised to avoid reading this one, lest he rip a hole in the space-time continuum.)

( Read on DW | Read on the AO3 )

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Fake News & related in Yuletide 2012

2012-12-26T19:45:50Z

Posted by: erinptah

The fandom-relevant offerings from 2012's Yuletide and Yuletide Madness. Enjoy!

The Godforsaken MSNBC Christmas Bash (1011 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Pundit RPF (US)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist
Summary: The MSNBC Christmas Bash was in full swing, and Joe wasn’t drunk enough to endure this shit. He wanted to be home watching ESPN, not out schmoozing with colleagues, their flings of the hour and other distinguished guests.

Liberty and Justice and Shit (2044 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: mayoremanuel
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Rahm Emanuel
Summary: 2012 in review: Rahm Emanuel patronizes the arts, watches sports, and provides commentary on the presidential election.

The Muppet Show Yuletide 2012 Reunion! (2908 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 11/11
Fandom: The Muppets - All Media Types, American Singers RPF
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, Waldorf (Muppets), Statler, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Gonzo the Great, Gonzo, Jon Stewart, Johnny Mathis
Summary: It's a special Muppet Show for Christmas Eve, 2012, but will Kermit feeling his age put a stop to the show!? Christmas, memes, Muppets and songs!

Bluebooks and Other Bedroom Stories (512 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Newsroom (US TV), Pundit RPF (US)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Rachel Maddow/Sloan Sabbith
Characters: Rachel Maddow, Sloan Sabbith
Summary: Rachel, Sloane, a bed and a pile of bluebooks.

Interleague Play (712 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Newsroom (US TV), Pundit RPF (US)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Rachel Maddow/Sloan Sabbith
Characters: Will McAvoy, Sloan Sabbith
Summary: “I hear you are sleeping with the enemy,” Will says.

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Fic: The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Hotel Room

2012-12-20T01:37:00Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Hotel Room
Characters/Pairings: O'Reilly/Jon/"Stephen"
Rating: NC-17
Contents: Antagonistic sex, foot-fetish-y content
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

The obligatory post-Rumble threesome. Come on, after Jon dominated all over the place and then climbed into O'Reilly's lap, with Stephen doubtlessly watching from backstage being very confused over whether he was supposed to feel anxious here or just turned on, someone had to write it.

This is probably one of those fics that's going to get flocked (on DW) and members-locked (on AO3) in a week or so. I have spare AO3 invites again, so if you need an account, just let me know what email address to send it to.

( Read on DW | Read on the AO3 )

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Sentinel crossover: All My Roads Lead To You (4/5)

2012-12-01T02:26:26Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: All My Roads Lead To You (4/5)
Rating: R
Characters/pairings: Jon/Tracey, Jon/"Stephen", correspondents
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

In the midst of more dreams and a new case, the tension between Jon and Stephen crosses a line.

AO3 mirror | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | ~~Part 4~~

( 'Honey, I know you both mean well, and that he's been very helpful to you in some areas...but when it comes to people I'd rather not have knowing the details of my sex life, it's him and any Republican senator at the top of the list.' )

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Omegaverse fic: Ten reasons for the sleep loss after Jon knocked Stephen up (1-5)

2012-11-22T23:50:04Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: Ten reasons for the sleep loss after Jon knocked Stephen up (1-5)
Rating: R
Contents: Alpha/Beta/Omega and related consent issues, mpreg
Characters/pairings: Jon/"Stephen", families
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Previously, in this Omegaverse continuity: installment 1, installment 2 (whole series on the AO3).

The 2007 WGA strike and a hastily-planned wedding blow through Jon and Stephen's lives at about the same time. All while Stephen is more hormonal than usual, and Jon is struggling as a beta to rise to the alpha-shaped expectations being placed on him. Will they ever get a good night's sleep again? Will they at least manage to settle on a baby name?

For my hc_bingo round 3 card, prompt "insomnia."

( Read on Dreamwidth | Read on the AO3 )

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Wax Stephen Colbert?

2012-11-17T23:34:01Z

Posted by: briar_pipe

I'm sure everyone's seen this by now, since it happened yesterday, but I read about the unveiling of Wax Stephen Colbert, and now I'm desperate for fandom to go all Rule 34. Does anyone have any recs? Anyone willing to brainstorm ideas? I think "Stephen Colbert"/Wax Stephen Colbert is kind of obvious, but surely there are more possibilities? Madame Tussauds carries so many figures....

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Sentinel crossover: All My Roads Lead To You (2/4?)

2012-11-02T15:13:52Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: All My Roads Lead To You (2/4?)
Rating: PG-13
Contents: 9/11 references, vague sex
Characters/pairings: Jon/Tracey, pre-Jon/"Stephen", kids, Jimmy Fallon
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Jon the Sentinel is back in the U.S., and trying to settle into his newly awakened senses, not to mention his new civic duties. Stephen meanwhile is dealing with his own sense of overload, as the walls he's developed to keep out other people's emotions start buckling under the strain.

AO3 mirror | Part 1 | ~~Part 2~~

( Plus, the whole thing was overwhelming Stephen's own brain with warm and fuzzy feelings, and he had to focus on quieting them down. )

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Promotion: Fake News Kink on AO3

2012-10-29T01:54:18Z

Posted by: erinptah

For a while I've been wanting to crosspost kink meme fills to the AO3, if only there were a way to hang on to the ability to edit them while having them show up as anonymous. There's still no way to do this on individual accounts, but it turns out there is a solution: make a collection, a la Yuletide or Kaleidoscope, and then keep the creators anonymous forever.

And so, Fake News Kink @ AO3 was born!

If you add a fic to the collection, directly or after-the-fact, it will show up as written by Anonymous. Even the moderator can't see who's written what.

There's also Fake News Prompts, a non-anonymous subcollection. Fics submitted here will also show up in the Fake News Kink parent list, but with usernames attached. Anyone who's already uploaded some of their kink meme fills and wants to hang on to the credit, please, jump in here!

This isn't a perfect solution -- your profile will still show that you've posted whatever number of Mystery Works to the collection. But there's no way to connect a specific fic to any given author except guesswork, and that will get harder as more people participate.

All TDS/TCR-related content is welcome in both collections: crossposting an old kink meme fill or writing something new, outright sexy kink or just plain fluff. Whether you want to post things anon or just want to participate, come join us!

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Fic: And He Only Reveals What He Wants You To See

2012-09-17T19:42:46Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: And He Only Reveals What He Wants You To See
Rating: R
Contents: Alpha/Beta/Omega and related consent issues, mpreg
Characters/pairings: "Stephen"/Charlene, Jon/"Stephen", Jon/"Stephen"/Steve
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

...I'll post more normal fic soon, I promise. Just happened to have this finished. Companion to And He Never Gives In (he just changes his mind). Also mirrored on the AO3.

Stephen, an omega, has always been secure in one thing: he's guaranteed to be loved. Specifically, by the nearest available alpha, once every three months. So even though his parents don't approve of him not settling down, and Jon doesn't want a serious relationship, he gives every appearance of coping just fine.

( His plans were vague but huge: breeze through this stupid history degree while making his mark as a performer, have a wedding with Charlene and a couple of her babies at some point in there, and then juggle being a fabulous television star who broke barriers for omegas everywhere with taking care of his angelic and photogenic children. )

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Haremverse fic: Concubindecision 2004

2012-09-13T15:20:39Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: Concubindecision 2004
Rating: R
Characters/pairings: Sam/Jon, Jon/"Stephen", Rob Corddry/Ed Helms, Sam/Jason
Disclaimer/Warnings: See the table of contents.

Haremverse backstory, starring Team TDS 2004. When Jon abruptly decides to [try to] become a kinder, gentler sex-slave owner, he'll have to do some work, and take on some personal risk, before Sam trusts that he means it. Ditto for her buddies Rob and Ed. (Stephen buys it immediately, but he's, well, Stephen.)

( 'What, did he read some trashy romance and take it a little too seriously?' )

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Fic: And He Never Gives In (he just changes his mind)

2012-08-27T19:10:59Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: And He Never Gives In (he just changes his mind)
Rating: PG-13
Contents: A/B/O. Just...A/B/O.
Characters/pairings: "Even Stepvhen", Jon and "Stephen" Colbewart
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

In which Stephen's religion says some wacky things, Steve is shouty but ultimately helpful, and Jon is theoretically keeping order but in reality just trying to keep up.

So, yeah, this is fakenews Alpha/Beta/Omega fic. (Executive summary: it's like a BDSM AU, but built on a wider grab-bag of seemingly disparate kinks, often including going-into-heat, dub-con, mpreg/fpreg, knotting, rigid biology-based social roles, D/s, and breeding/mating. Although this story is about 5% sexuality and 95% worldbuilding.) Jon, a beta, doesn't date omegas. So far, nothing he's seen of Stephen is making him regret this policy.

References a 2007 Emmys sketch and a Billy Joel song. Also here on the AO3.

'Catholics believe that the ability to get pregnant is a gift from God. Heat is just God's way of making really, really sure you take that gift out of the packaging and try it on, instead of trying to sneak it back to the store.' )

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Haremverse fic: In Vino Veneum

2012-08-16T00:05:41Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: In Vino Venenum
Rating: PG-13
Characters/pairings: Jon/"Stephen", Olivia/Kristen, Sam, ensemble
Disclaimer/Warnings: See the table of contents.

A haremverse prompt from kribban: "Sam, as the head concubine is in charge of punishing the others if they break the rules. Olivia does, is punished in a creative way, and Kristin comforts her." Even without Jon's orders controlling the household, their precarious safety takes plenty of rules and efforts to keep up. (The title, assuming I've translated it right, means "in wine, poison.")

For my hc_bingo round 3 card, prompt "poisoning."

( Sam and Olivia manned the kitchen, advising Beck's cooks on portion sizes, Jon's favorite seasonings, and, hopefully, not sabotaging his immune system and leading him to a grisly demise. )

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What Do You Wear To A Geek Wedding, Anyway?

2012-07-13T04:25:04Z

Posted by: erinptah

Title: What Do You Wear To A Geek Wedding, Anyway?
Rating: PG
Pairings/Characters: Olivia & family, Aasif, background Olivia/Kristen and Kristen/Rich
Warnings: Mental health issues (anxiety, OCD)
Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Olivia's a bridesmaid at her girlfriend's wedding. It's not great for her insecurities. Luckily, she has an Asian-ish friend around to give her a pep talk.

For my hc_bingo round 3 card, prompt "panic attacks".

( If you hadn't read the right Uncanny X-Men issues, you would have no idea that Emma Frost had ever worn something as modest as Kristen's bridal gown. )

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Ficlets: Not Sure If Breakthrough + Snowflake + Pulpit

2012-06-28T18:13:12Z

Posted by: erinptah

A sequence of ficlets written for prompts at punditfic and fakenews_fanfic.

Blanket Disclaimer: #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. Characters belong to the Report. Names of real people are used in a fictitious context, and all dialogue, actions, and content are products of the author's imagination only.

Title: Not Sure If Breakthrough
Rating: PG
Cast: Jon/"Stephen", OC
Prompt by kribban: The personal notes of Jon and "Stephen's" marriage counselor.

( Re-evaluated considerations re: abuse. Encouraged J to employ reality testing. )

Title: Snowflake
Rating: G
Cast: Jon, "Stephen"
Prompt: An image (at the end)

( One of Stephen's creepy dimensional portals must have been holding the thing, and was now discharging it bit by bit: enough metal to form the frame of a mid-sized pup tent, and in almost as complicated a configuration. )

Title: Pulpit
Rating: G
Cast: "Stephen", family
Prompt: "Warning signs," specifically from politicette: "Something about baby!"Stephen" and how if someone (Charlene?) were paying more attention, they would have honed in on a specific incident or two and caught how miserable and unstable he was growing up to be."

( Stevie's standing on tiptoes behind the pulpit, on the velvet-covered footstool used by the kids who get called up to recite a prayer or light an Advent candle. )

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AO3 Tagging for Fake News + Pundit People

2012-06-18T07:03:39Z

Posted by: erinptah

The tagging structure at the Archive Of Our Own is very cool in theory, and frustratingly opaque in practice. Especially in the RPF sections. As a wrangler for the fake news tags, I figured I'd post some information.

(Disclaimer: none of this is mandatory or set in stone, because that's not how the AO3 rolls. It's just a rundown of "how things are set up right now.")

( Background on how the tag system actually works )

( Series breakdown, pundit/fakenews-wise )

( Guides for the fandom )

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Weekend Prompt Fest

2012-06-01T19:02:32Z

Posted by: erinptah

I feel like doing image prompts this weekend. Take any of the following pictures, use them to spark a story:

( Images under the cut )

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Weekend Prompt Fest

2012-05-26T21:58:19Z

Posted by: erinptah

This weekend's theme is alternate universes. You know the drill -- name an AU you'd like to see, or volunteer to take AU prompts. If you don't feel like writing out the whole thing, try doing the casting instead. (Someone has to have opinions on which correspondent gets which role in an Avengers AU, right?)

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Review: All The Presidents' Pets, by Mo Rocca

2012-05-12T05:04:12Z

Posted by: erinptah

Things I Did Not Know: former TDS correspondent Mo Rocca's compilation of fake information about White Houses, All The Presidents' Pets, is actual writing. It's not loosely organized bits of cleverness spiced up with graphics and font choices (in the vein of TDS writer Rob Kutner's Apocalypse Howe), nor even an almanac with encyclopedia entries broken up by charts (as in the Hodgman compendium of Complete World Knowledge). It's a narrative. It's a full fictional story, recounted in the first person.

It's also RPF.

Not just about the eponymous presidents, either. Mo's journey takes him to meet all sorts of contemporary pundits and newspeople, in deeply cracky incarnations. (Also surprisingly violent at points, so fair warning.) For instance, Wolf Blitzer:

( Quotes and spoilers beyond this point. )

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The Hogwarts Question

2012-05-06T18:19:45Z

Posted by: erinptah

For a good two years now I've been meaning to write up a proper set of Thoughts On TDS/TCR Characters in Hogwarts Houses. And now it actually exists! With links to relevant clips and everything:

* On andthatstheword
* On The Zen and the Damaged

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