It has become a real-life soap opera watched by people around the world and dozens of fanatics who camp out on a Phoenix sidewalk in the middle of the night to get into the show. One seat even sold for $200.

Long before animated sitcoms like “Family Guy,” “Archer” and “Bob’s Burgers” hit the small screen, “The Simpsons” captured the hearts of viewers worldwide with its biting social commentary and lovable bunch of outrageous characters.

NEW YORK — It's no secret that Apple wants to get into the living room by making its own TV set, and there have been plenty of rumors and reports about how and when it's going to happen.

The Husband is Jewish and I am his shiksa bride. As young marrieds, we ignored both traditions equally. But when we had children, we began celebrating Jewish and Christian holidays alike, so that as the kids matured they could naturally gravitate to the rituals that moved them the most.

I am trying to find a way to legally copy DVDs we own to an external hard drive for storage connected to my laptop. When we take long road trips it would be nice to not have to haul all our movies along. — Bill

The typical “state of the town” address was not something Gilbert residents encountered at Thursday night’s town council meeting.

Several Mesa residents hit the road to ring in the new year. But they weren’t looking to take part in normal New Year’s festivities like watching television as a glass ball descended a pole in Times Square, watching fireworks or clinking champagne glasses.

Check this deal. Take four people out to an evening movie; buy each a ticket, a small popcorn and a small drink for a total of $24. Where? Well, you are about to find out. The costly holidays are upon us, so let’s save some money on movies.

There is much ado about the U.S. Senate, and its questioning of Abassador Rice about her early statements regarding the murder of US Ambassador Stevens.

Maybe it’s the time of year, but it’s a photo that can’t help but remind you somewhat of a manger scene: A kneeling New York City police officer in uniform, holding a pair of boots in front of a reclining shoeless man on a chilly sidewalk near Times Square.

Appliances, furniture, televisions and more can be found at the City of Mesa surplus store, which is open 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7041 E. Adobe.

A few off-hand thoughts from a man who had too much pumpkin pie …

The three men behind the counter of the shop on the second floor of Chandler Fashion Center each come from different backgrounds, but they each share more than a few things in common:

Not too long ago, I was trying to explain my ’60s childhood to the kids.

“That movie would have been infinitely better if it had been shown in 3-D.” I cannot speak for the rest of the movie going population, but this is one sentence I will never utter walking out of a cineplex. That is not to say 3-D technology is completely expendable. With the right movie, 3-D can be effectively exploited and have an enriching impact on a cinematic experience. In a majority of cases though, 3-D merely acts as a shameful method for the studio to increase the ticket price. Some people buy into the assumption that 3-D makes a movie appear more realistic and integrates the audience into the action. When not properly executed, however, 3-D can have dark, dreary and distracting consequences on a film originally shot in 2-D. In that sense, 3-D not only robs the audience of an extra $3, but also takes them out of the motion picture.

“That movie would have been infinitely better if it had been shown in 3D.” I cannot speak for the rest of the moviegoing population, but this is one sentence I will never utter walking out of a Cineplex.

A butler opens the door of the large Sesame Street brownstone and guides me to the parlor. Big Bird is sitting on a large couch, wearing a silk smoking jacket, holding a bourbon and enjoying a drag on what appears to be an unfiltered Camel cigarette.

Lois Lowry’s name may not ring a bell right away, but certainly you (or your child) knows one of her many books.

SALT LAKE CITY — Tens of thousands of the Mormon faithful are descending on Utah's largest city for their church's semi-annual general conference to hear gospel-centered talks about faith, family and mission work from senior church leaders.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble is rolling out two new versions of its Nook tablet with sleek new hardware and a sharper high-definition screen. The bookseller's move heightens the already intense tablet wars heading into the holiday season.

It was early on that Mesa’s Adam and Donovan Montierth showed a promise for the many facets of film production.

Q: In the past, you guys talked about a program that allowed you to record Internet radio and YouTube videos pretty easily. What was the name of the program again? - Stephen

LOS ANGELES — Ricki Lake was a babe in the talk show woods when her syndicated program launched nearly two decades ago.

I can hear them at Mesa City Hall right now: Darn that pesky First Amendment, they are probably saying. That’s because Friday’s Arizona Supreme Court decision may well mean there could be a tattoo shop opening some place where the City Council doesn’t want it to. In this case, near Dobson Ranch.