The 1 thing
Globe writers on the one thing you must do, see, or hear this week
THE 1 STAR-IN-THE-MAKING, MTV DIVISION
Thanks to a few laugh-out-loud TV promos, Russell Brand has done the unthinkable: He's made the idea of sitting through the MTV Video Music Awards Sept. 7 an intriguing proposition. A big star (and tabloid fixture) across the pond, the garrulous British comedian barely registers with American audiences. But anyone who saw Brand's witty turn as a rocker lothario in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" knows he's about to be a big deal here, too. If the man can humanize Britney Spears in a 30-second ad, what can't he do? - HAYLEY KAUFMAN
THE 1 MUSIC TRIVIA SITE
Yeah, we all love listening to music. But sometimes you just want to contemplate the pop world's endlessly amusing minutiae. For that we turn to spinner.com, where the list-obsessed features section includes surveys of bad songs from good bands, the best opening lines, and outrageous riders (inquiring minds want to know that Cher requires a wig room, LL Cool J needs baby oil and long-stemmed roses, and Jane's Addiction demands Zig-Zag rolling papers in orange packaging). www.spinner.com - JOAN ANDERMAN
THE 1 PRACTICAL BAG
Sure fall's fringed, slouchy bags are great. Reality check: We live in New England, which means unpredictable thunderstorms, snow, and other leather-destroying elements. Enter Orla Kiely's line of PVC-laminated (read: waterproof) cotton bags. Her poppy prints are delectable - you could see Twiggy toting one of the mod designs through the rainy streets of London in 1967. Get yours locally at Shake the Tree or Mint Julep. www.orlakiely.com. - COURTNEY HOLLANDS
THE 1 TIM WAKEFIELD LOOKALIKE
David Arquette has made a nice little career out of playing knuckleheads. As Gary, Steve Coogan, and Catherine Keener's roommate in the new "Hamlet 2," he's still a knucklehead. But with that goatee, he now also bears a strong resemblance to a certain knuckleball pitcher, too. See for yourself at www.moviefone.com/movie/hamlet-2/32650/photos/1 - MARK FEENEY
THE 1 NEW "STAR WARS" CHARACTER
The best thing about "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" is Jabba the Hutt's baby slug, nicknamed Stinky. The baby endearingly wails, burps, giggles, and steals every scene as Anakin Skywalker attempts to rescue him (or it?) from kidnappers. Small enough to fit inside a backpack, Stinky is the unsung focus of the entire animated movie. One question, though: Who knew Jabba the Hutt could reproduce? - JOHNNY DIAZ
THE 1 CAST ALBUM FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE CAST ALBUMS
It's hard to replicate the rock-and-soul energy of "Passing Strange" on Broadway, but the album - recorded live at the Belasco Theatre - will get you close. And thanks to a robust booklet that comes with the CD, you can read and listen to songs like "Amsterdam" and "Keys" and understand why Stew, the show's creator, is the wittiest songwriter to come along in years. - SCOTT HELLER 