So Now Then.

Those crazy kids over at Improv Everywhere! What will they come up with next?

Folks, we are in the middle of one hell of a heat wave in NYC. I can barely take two steps without having to wipe the pouring sweat off my brow. Which got me thinking about summertime, and how it always reminds me of running outside, barefoot on the scorching sidewalks, to chase down the Ice Cream Man. If he drove by my office today, I would surely run out and order everything he had. What's your favorite Popsicle® flavor? Mine is Cherry.

Thank God for Air-Conditioning. It's the only thing keeping me sane at this point. That, and Cut Copy's Ghost Colours, officially the album of the summer.

It's hot outside but it's cool at the movies. Here are five to see, and why:

Speed Racer: Fun, visually sumptuous and loud.

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. is inspired.

Reprise: Youthful, energetic, passionate and moving. (Pictured above)

The Visitor: Simple story. Simply told. Good.

Sex And The City: Overlong, well-acted, surprisingly dark.

Remember the scene in "The Royal Tenenbaums" where Luke Wilson's character stands in front of a mirror, shaves all of his hair off and then takes the knife to his arm? Yeah, that scene! It was scored to one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs, "Needle in the Hay," and now - strangely - Kermit the Frog reenacts the scene. Why? Who only knows.

The lesson we can gleam from this amusing bit of pop candy? Even Kermit the Frog can be sad, kids - and don't you forget it.

That's a clip from last night's Conan O'Brien of She & Him, my favorite group of the moment. They're seen here getting a little background help from friends Yo La Tengo.

Last night's She & Him show at Webster Hall, their first major performance, was amazing. Zooey Deschanel had lost her voice the previous night, so there was no between-song chitchat sadly, but it was made up in spades by her winning smile and her outward enthusiasm to be on stage in front of a packed house of very ardent admirers. I think I heard everyone around me comment on how cute she was.

2 more days till Europe! It was a great way to get me in the mood.