The Kenny of Star Trek

"How many times did Tasha Yar actually die? I remember as a kid freaking out when I saw an episode where she died. And then later down the line saw her die an entirely different way in a different episode. She's like the Kenny of Star Trek."
(July 8, 2009, Topless Robot)

The Richard Nixon of lycanthropic storytelling

"Decorum prevents me from describing what good werewolf sex is or should be, but I will say that Hawke’s cover doesn’t feature or imply ANY fur-pulling, shoulder-biting, or hot fang-locked kissing while snarling and barking. This omission makes “Kiss of the Wolf” the Richard Nixon of lycanthropic storytelling: a treasonous FAIL!"
(July 17, 2009, Werewolf News)

The Merlin of merkins

"Re: the lyrics. Thank you to everyone who took a minute to help me figure this out. I took my main inspiration from Satchel Page's commentary (see post again) and from input I got from Jesse Andrews of the Young Dads. Jesse made the point that prior to the current trope of pimping-as-a-glamour-profession that we know today, pimping was considered a very low way to make one's living. He suggested that I use the phrase 'the Merlin of merkins' (wiki: merkin) and re-contextualize pimps as the whiny scumbags that they were once thought to be. I also borrowed from Satchel Page's idea that the pimp-narrative is a form of escapism, although I don't think I was quite able to reach his level of incisiveness. It seems to hold true: one wonders how often rap pimps get into heavy shit. Not heavy shit like everyday living or even violent encounters; heavy shit like getting to the bottom of life, or addressing the institutionalized violence and oppression that creates space for such a profession."
(June 3, 2009, Father Abraham)

The Emily Dickinson of coffee

"Think about it. There has never existed another human being who is better at selling coffee than Mr. Schultz.

He is the Einstein of coffee.

The Michelangelo of coffee.

The Meryl Streep of coffee.

The Emily Dickinson of coffee.

The Oprah of coffee.

The Michael Jordan and/or Larry Bird of coffee.

At the risk of being labelled a lefty who hates capitalism (as opposed to someone who hates terrible coffee), Howard Schulz is the Ray Kroc of java."

(Nov. 10, 2009, Can't Stop the Bleeding)

The Bozo the clown of the CIA

"Was I wrong, Leon Panetta really isn't the BOZO the Clown of the CIA?"
(July 31, 2009, News Music Now)

The Cosmo Kramer of Lost

"(Incidentally, I’m sure we’re all glad to see that the Smoke Monster is alive and well, even if it’s only in the past. I like to think of ol’ Smoke Monster as the Cosmo Kramer of 'Lost'—it’s wacky and ridiculous and has the best entrances...good to have it back!)"
(Feb. 12, 2009, Tor.com)

The Shakira of bowling

"I don't remember having a better time than that in months. From watching Irene and her original approach to bowling (you'd think she was throwing rocks) to the bowling clinic that Alan put especially for us (four strikes and three spares just to get started? Get outta here!), to Lynn's outrageously funny dances (she's the Shakira of bowling) or Butch's Chippendale-like celebrations (ouch, my eyes!), it was really an unforgettable evening."
(June 3, 2008, Live from Waterloo)