Cover Story

The Nasty Thrill of
'Gossip Girl'

TV's sexiest drama is redefining what it means to be a hit. And its beautiful cast just may be the last people in America living the fabulous life. By Jason Gay

Video: Exclusive footage from the cast's RS photo session with Terry Richardson
Photos:: On the set with Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and the Gossip Guys at their Steamy RS shoot
Juicy Stories from the Set: Writer Jason Gay on hanging out with the set of TV's hottest drama
The Music of Gossip Girl: Music Supervisor Alexandra Pastavas handpicks her favorite moments
Peter Travers on GG: Our film critic previews the steamy end to season two
The Hottest RS TV Covers of All Time: Jennifer Anniston? Jenny McCarthy? The girls of the Hills? Browse the covers and cast your vote.

SPECIAL SECTION

The RS100: Agents of Change

Obama promised us a new America, but he's going to need a lot of help. Meet the artists, policymakers, writers, scientists and provocateurs who'll change our world.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

The Bailout: Wall St.
Coup d'État

Think the big banks begging for government handouts are down and out? Think again. They're taking over the government — not the other way around. By Matt Taibbi

FEATURES

The-Dream's Pop-Song Science

The man who wrote Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" has cracked the code of writing hits. Now he wants to become a superstar himself. By Touré

CLOSE-UP

Buddy Guy and B.B. King Double Down

On their first tour together, the blues giants make up for lost time by swapping stories on the road.
By Tom Moon

Video: On the set of Buddy Guy and B.B. King's blues summit

Rock and Roll

Phish Reunite

Trey and crew end an extended hiatus with a spectacular weekend of gigs

Night One Report: Phish rip through fan favorites at first Hampton reunion show
Night Two Report: Phish break out rarities, free-form improv at second Hampton gig
Photos: Phish's reunion gigs show
Phish Reunion Parking Lot: Up close and personal with the jam band's biggest fans

On the Road: No drama on Fleetwood Mac's first tour since 2004 — only the hits

From the Archives: Read Cameron Crowe's classic 1977 feature, which found the group deep in drama — from inner-band romances to a stinging RS review that almost made Stevie Nicks quit.

Tour Preview: Inside U2's plans to rock stadiums around the globe

Comeback: Michael Jackson sets record with 50-date London run

From the Archives: Revisit Mikal Gilmore's feature from 1988, when Bad got snubbed at the Grammys and Jackson was honored by Ronald Reagan.

Reissue: Pearl Jam revisit their early days

Industry: Nineties rock is big business in '09

Q&A: Chris Cornell on his ex-wife, his Tom Jones impression and his new CD with Timbaland

Breaking: Norway's punk-pop spitfire Ida Maria

Checking In

Van Morrison

The transcendental grouchiness of the Celtic soul man

SPECIAL SECTION

Spring Music Preview

From Eminem to Dylan, the lowdown on 45 of the year's biggest new albums

RECORDS

Mastodon Bring the Noise

Upstart metal warriors have their Metallica moment

PLUS: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Decemberists, Peter Bjorn and John, Peter Doherty, J. Holiday, Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, Blue October, PJ Harvey and John Parish, The Juan MacLean, Keith Urban, 1990s, Riverboat Gamblers, Coheed and Cambria, Sweet, UGK, Mavado and Death

FRICKE'S PICKS:
Dukes of Stratosphear, Doug Sahm and Moby Grape

MOVIES

'I Love You, Man'

Paul Rudd and Jason Segel in Hollywood's first bromantic comedy

PLUS: Duplicity, Hunger and Monsters vs. Aliens

Comedy's Next Wave: Russell Brand, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Paull Rudd and Jason Segel — rating Hollywood's new generation of comedians. Who will still be going in five years?

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Britney Spears: A full report from the Circus tour, with a show review and a photo gallery from pop's most glorious train wreck — featuring acrobats, jugglers, dancers and the pop princess with a bullwhip.
Report: Britney Spears' Circus spectacle draws Madonna to New York show
Photos: Britney Spears returns to the stage in New Orleans

South by Southwest: Videos, photos and reports from Austin, and our party with Juliette Lewis and the New Romantiques.

Video: Dan Auerbach Live in the S.S.: The Black Keys' frontman enters the Smoking Section for an interview and an exclusive performance of songs from Keep It Hid, his solo debut.