The Slug

Let the World Cyber Games Begin

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)

The World Cyber Games Grand Final — could that name be any longer? — kicked off here in Seattle last night with an Olympic-like ceremony. We've covered gaming competitions before, but we've never seen any video game contest as epic as the WCG Grand Final. Competitors from all over the world are battling each other  in multiplayer matches in games like "Gears of War," "Counter Strike" and "WarCraft III" throughout the huge Qwest Field Event Center. You can be a spectator online or in person. The action continues through Sunday.

Sleepy in Seattle

(AP Photo/Cheryl Hatch)

So how much did you love "Pushing Daisies" last night? And who won "Top Chef"? You'll have to tell us later because The Slug is on assignment in Seattle for the rest of the week. Posts will be more sporadic than usual. In our absence, keep yourself busy with some AP reading material about a reality TV tussle, a "Desperate Housewives" controversy and the latest chapter in the Britney Spears custody trial. Check back later for our first report from the World Cyber Games Grand Final, which is being held at the Qwest Field Event Center this weekend.

We Don't Think They're Ready for This Jelly

(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Was Beyonce not willing to cover up for her first concert in Malaysia? According to Knowles' agency, she canceled the show "due to a scheduling conflict." However, she will instead perform in neighboring Indonesia, whose government doesn't demand that female performers cover their bods from their shoulders down to their knees. Hmmm. This sounds more like a "wardrobe conflict" to us.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Elite Squad

(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Our Favoritest Photo of the Week comes to us from Rio de Janeiro where movie posters are apparently gigantic. We love the proportions in this image — OK, OK — and the woman just strolling by in her bikini. The controversial movie advertised here is about the shady workings of Rio's Special Operations Police Battalion. It's caused quite a stir in Brazil. Here's the original caption:

A woman walks past a billboard advertising the film Elite Squad at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. Elite Squad, a feature film about the shady workings of Rio's Special Operations Police Battalion, wasn't supposed to be released until Thursday, but pirated copies illegally leaked before the premier proved so controversial that police tried to keep the film out of theaters. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Jack Bauer Goes to Washington

(AP Photo/Khue Bui/HO/Fox)

Mark your calendars — if you've already bought one for 2008. That's because the Washington-set Day 7 on "24" will premiere Jan. 13.  Despite the fact he looked like a goner on screen, Tony Almeida will return "after being left for dead by a terrorist conspirator in CTU's infirmary," according to a Fox press release. Um. OK. The new season will also feature Bauer on trial (finally!) for his actions, the show's first female president, the return of Chloe and Bill Buchanan and new cast members Janeane Garofalo as an FBI agent and John Billingsley as a security specialist.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Worlds Collide

(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

What happens when you mix America, Italy and China? See above. Our Favoritest Photo of the Week comes to us from the other side of the planet where the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel opened this week. Just like the Venetian in Las Vegas, there's even a faux canal with singing gondoliers. (We once witnessed a proposal there ourselves.) Sail away with the original caption:

Gambling tables are set inside the casino during the opening ceremony of the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Casinos like the Wynn and Sands have already helped this southern coastal Chinese city surpass the Las Vegas Strip as the world's most lucrative gambling center. American billionaire Sheldon Adelson aims to take a step further with the US$2.4 billion (euro1.8 billion) Venetian scheduled to open Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Waxy Ladies

(AP Photos/Derrik J. Lang)

So The Slug went up to Niagara Falls last weekend to see the natural wonders and all that. Little did we know there's be oodles of celebrities — in wax form — at the local Louis Tussauds' Waxworks. (He's the great grandson of Madame, if you're confused.) Unfortch, none of wax figures or any of our souvenirs spoke to us like in "Wonderfalls."

However, the female figures did look really real when we stuck our camera in their faces and cranked up our flash. Try to guess who's who in the comments section, after the jump — or don't if the above photo of Sara Jessica Parker freaks your freak. It's only gonna get creepier, kids.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Kiss and Tell

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Yeah, we know the kids think Zac Efron is a hottie. Apparently, so does Minnie Mouse, so much so that the floozy had the audacity to lay her lips on Troy Bolton right next to her beau Mickey — and the whole world — at the "High School Musical 2" premiere. Wait, does she even have lips? No? Guess it doesn't count then. You win this time, Minnie. But we're submitting this Favoritest Photo of the Week as evidence of your indiscretion. The original caption:

Zac Efron, a cast member in "High School Musical 2," poses with Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the premiere of the Disney Channel movie in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Comic-Con Jealousy

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

As you could probably tell, we weren't at Comic-Con this year. Boo. However, we don't want to leave you out in the cold if you weren't able to get down to San Diego for all the hot geekiness. So let us point you in the direction of our colleague (and "Up Down Left Right" co-host) Ryan Pearson's asap dispatches from the convention floor. We're so jealous! He was hanging by Jessica Alba's side, found five really cool things, watched awesome teaser trailers and interacted with fans.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Eye Sore

(AP Photo/Miguel Villagran)

When we saw this AP photo by Miguel Villagran, we immediately started humming Rockwell's classic — OK, only — hit "Somebody's Watching Me." There's nothing like a pair of giant German eyeballs peering down at some pedestrians to inspire some '80s Motown nostalgia. How come billboards in America are never this rad? We could stare at this Favoritest Photo of the Week for hours. Peep the original caption:

Two pedestrians walk past an illuminated poster in front of the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, July 26, 2007. The poster is placed at the backside of an temporary screen, till August different movies will be shown outdoors. (AP Photo/Miguel Villagran)