Cover Story

What's Funny Now?

How awkwardness and uneasy pauses — think Pineapple Express — killed the punch line and ushered in comedy's new golden age. By Jim Windolf

THE ALL-STARS: Comics from Chris Rock to Robin Williams on their influences, favorite jokes and bombing

TALES FROM THE WRITERS' ROOM: Some of Hollywood's best talents reveal the craziest revisions they've received from nervous executives By Adam Baer

STAND-UP'S NEW BAD BOY: Meet Russell Brand, an ex-junkie, foulmouthed Brit who's poised to take over America. By Melissa Maerz

DAVE AT PEACE: In a rare interview, the king of late night opens up about fatherhood, his heart surgery and coming to terms with the ratings wars. By Jason Gay

• VIDEO: Go Behind Rolling Stone Cover
• VIDEO FEATURE: The 25 Funniest Web Videos (No, Really!)
• CABIN MAN: Why Former Get A Life Star Chris Elliott May Be His Generation's Most Underappreciated Comic Genius
• FIVE COMICS TO WATCH: Comedy can be a very tough business — but here are five funny folks you might see on a bigger stage soon

Features

American Warlord

How a suburban teen went from living near Disney World to commanding a murderous security unit in one of Africa's most horrifying and brutal civil wars.
By Johnny Dwyer

Jerry Wexler: 1917-2008

Aretha Franklin, Solomon Burke and others remember the epic life of one of R&B's founders By Bob Greenfield

Wex on Wax: Twenty Essential Jerry Wexler Productions

Rock & Roll

Rock Rules at the Convention

Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and more support Barack Obama at Denver's Democratic Convention

IN THE STUDIO: Fall Out Boy prep Folie a Deux

INDUSTRY: AC/DC Plan Big Comeback

ON THE ROAD: Beck Debuts Stripped-Down Tour in Reno

ON THE ROAD: Radiohead, Petty Start the Party in Golden Gate Park

REPORT: Rock Daily's Coverage of Outside Lands Festival

PROFILE: Brian Wilson's L.A. Love Letter

ALBUM GUIDE: The Essential Brian Wilson Album Guide

PROFILE: Guns, Feds and Kids: T.I. Returns

PHOTOS: A Day in the Life of T.I.

Q&A: Conor Oberst on recording his latest CD in Mexico, his first tattoo and his new supergroup

BREAKING

Keri Hilson's Time to Shine

After writing hits for Britney and Ciara, R&B babe takes center stage

WHAT'S UP WITH... Sharon Little

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Obama on the Trail

He's delivering the same message Democrats always rely on. So why does it sound like a clarion call now?
By Matt Taibbi

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BUSH'S FLAMEOUT: A look back at the highlights and low points of "the longest sustained period of public disapproval" in the history of the American presidency

FALL TV PREVIEW

The Return of Christian Slater

Back from the brink, the actor gets his first lead TV role on My Own Worst Enemy.

PLUS: 90210, True Blood, Fringe, Worst Week, Privileged, Life on Mars, Eleventh Hour and Kath and Kim

Reviews

Metallica on Fire

Rick Rubin helps metal gods craft heaviest disc in years

PLUS: Gym Class Heroes, Lindsey Buckingham, Ne-Yo, Jessica Simpson, Okkervil River, Benji Huges, Tricky, The Walkmen, Joan Baez, Lila Downs, Ximena Sariñana and Julieta Venegas

ALL REVIEWS

KEY TRACKS: Hear the best of this issue's review section

Movies

Coens Goof Off

The Coen brothers dumb it down with Burn After Reading By Peter Travers

PLUS: Appaloosa, The Women, The Duchess and Towelhead

Also In This Issue...

Fricke's Picks

THE CREAM OF BRUCE: The Bassist's New Six-Disc Best-Of Anthology