Cover Story

The 50 Reasons to
Watch TV Right Now

Reason #1: Stephen Colbert How a God-loving square became TV's most dangerous man By Neil Strauss
Plus: Jon Hamm, David Duchovny, Ed Helms, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Padma Lakshmi, Neil Patrick Harris and Chevy Chase

Bonus Q&A: Stephen Colbert on deconstructing the news, religion and the Colbert nation.
Before the Report: Stephen Colbert's Rise From Sketch Shows to America's Hero
Photos: TV on the Cover
Video: The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia heads to Comic-Con
Video: The kids of Glee on their favorite performances from the upcoming season

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Inside the Cartels

How Mexico's drug lords have transformed the drug trade, and why the DEA is powerless to stop them.
By Guy Lawson

Video: Guy Lawson debunks the myth that Mexico's drug violence is spilling into the U.S. and reveals the cartels in this country are less like Scarface and more like Walmart and Amway.

FEATURES

A Darker Shade of Pink

Inside the passion and pain of music's edgiest star.
By Gavin Edwards

Photos: Exclusive shots backstage on the acrobatic singer's Australian tour.
Video: Preview Pink's Funhouse tour before it hits the States.
Photos: A sneak peek at Pink's costumes on the circus-themed trek.

Rock & Roll

Summer's Biggest Tours

On the road with Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift, NIN and more.

Taylor Swift: A report and photos from the country starlet's MSG gig.
U2: Coverage from the U.S. kickoff of the band's 360° tour.
Nine Inch Nails: Live from the band's farwell performance in L.A.

Breaking: Stoner-rock revivalists Alberta Cross fuse Nineties noise, hippie vibe

Video: Alberta Cross performs "ATX"

Profile: Kanye West protégé Kid Cudi is hip-hop's sensitive soul

Q&A: The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers on Madonna and Pretty in Pink

Checking In: Bob Dylan Delivers Christmas in the Heart

Industry: Coming to America — European Streaming Sensation Spotify

In the Studio: Leona Lewis, Joe Perry

Preview: Tom Petty Unearths Live Gems on New Box Set

Hall of Fame: David Crosby on the trio's new covers LP and battling with the Byrds

RECORDS

Phish Find 'Joy'

The jam band returns with a genuinely great album.

PLUS: Kid Cudi, Third Eye Blind, Trey Songz, Mason Jennings, Muse, Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson, Vivian Girls, Girls, Sean Paul, Queen Latifah, BLK JKS, Brooks and Dunn and reissues from the Beatles and the Feelies.

Fricke's Picks: Manic Street Preachers

MOVIES

Oscar Season

From Avatar to Where the Wild Things Are, a look at fall's best films.

Off the Cuff with Jason Bateman: The star of the dark new workplace comedy Extract drops in.

Off the Cuff with Rob Zombie: The Halloween 2 director on his new film, chick flicks and his carny relatives.

The Travers Take: More movie news and reviews from our movie critic

Travers Hits Twitter: Tap in for daily Twitter updates — juicy interview tidbits and knee-jerk reviews — from our film critic

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Video Music Awards '09: Videos and live reports from the September 13th show in New york, with Britney Spears, Green Day, Lady Gaga and host Russell Brand.

Diane Birch Live in the Smoking Section: The singer-songwriter brings her Sixties and Seventies soul flavor to our studio.

Steven Tyler: "I Hope Fans Forgive Me" In his first interview since he fell of a stage and broke his shoulder, the singer opens up about the injury that sidelined Aerosmith's summer shows.

Live from All Tomorrow's Parties: Exclusive photos and video from the Flaming Lips-curated indie fest, featuring sets by Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective and No Age, performing the songs of Hüsker Dü with Bob Mould.

Random Notes: Rolling Stone's hottest rock photos, from crazy meet-ups to scorching live shots

Stephen Colbert in New York on August 14th, 2009.
Photograph by Martin Schoeller
Styling by Antonia Xereas. Production design by Michael Bednark for the Magnet Agency. Grooming by Kerrie Plant-Price. Suit, shirt and tie by Brooks Brothers.