“Here comes Cloverfield!”

“That’s right Meredith, and boy he looks hungry”

“Hide the lasagna, Matt”

Rhode Island’s own Meredith Vieira will be dispensing non-stop parade blather for her very first time today. Veteran Matt Lauer will furnish the drivel.

No, really. I think he can save this country from an impending apocalypse.

Thanks to Eric and Ari for their coverage of Obama’s recent honesty about his past drug use. BUT don’t miss some of the Big O’s best media appearances of the week:

• Check out this TIME photo essay, “Barack Obama: Portrait of a Candidate.” Photographer Callie Shell travels with the candidate and offers a close look at life on the campaign trail.

more »

 And will do so by reminding you that just two days remain until Bush names and pardons the turkey charged with repopulating its species by this time next year.

Lots of fun to humanize the birds, right before we devour their flesh, ain’t it?

You can vote on what to name this year’s lucky fowl, here. I voted for “Gobler and Rafter,” whatever that means. 43 times.

(Also, try to remember not to buy any crap on Friday.)