Grandmaster Flash was the first man to lay his hands on vinyl and make music. Other DJs saw the turntable as a simple piece of equipment. They handled the record gently by its edges, placed it on the turntable, and carefully dropped the tonearm on the vinyl.

Flash made the turntable into an instrument. Like Pollock with a brush and canvas, Flash took control of the tonearm and worked the vinyl. He redefined the DJ as recording artist.

His legacy is huge: At South Bronx block parties, he invented the spinning and cutting techniques that extended short drum breaks (what he called the "get down" portion of songs) and combined pieces of different songs into seamless and often hours-long musical marathons. He invited vocal artists to rap over the extended drum breaks. These MCs were the first high-profile rappers. The long drum breaks also became the accompaniment for the first break dancers.

In short he helped father hip-hop music. (He's quick to note that this was not his achievement alone. DJ Herc was combining songs for block parties before him.) BUT because Flash dared to touch the vinyl, he was able to combine and recombine music seamlessly. Anyone who's been to a dance club knows what this means. You don't know where one song ends and another begins. It's one continuous "get down" -- and you can dance forever.

(Truthfully there is an upside to the wedding band stop and start. You can easily excuse yourself after a lousy song - or escape before the slow dance.)

So here's my interview with Flash...

Here's a commentary I delivered on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday. I am brazenly proud that I could get my Rosemary Clooney joke past the censors. (And by censors, I mean the people that are terrified of any reference that appeals to people over the age of 50.)

If there's one thing Republicans and Democrats can agree on during this election year, it's this: both prospective First Ladies are knockouts! Whichever of these women ends up in the White House, millions of ordinary American men will emulate her look. But how easy and affordable is this transformation?

Last week we turned one ordinary guy into Michelle Obama. (Watch it here.). Now, with the guidance of famed beauty expert Hedda Lettuce, it's time to turn another lucky lug into Cindy!

It's summertime which means field trip time for the 180 crew. This year we went New York's Grandaisy Bakery to learn how to make pizza!

I first visited the United States Military Academy at West Point when I was 8 or 9 years old. I returned there last week for a tour from historian Stephen Grove.

West Point is clearly a great place to get in shape. I was the only person not doing calisthenics. It's also spectacularly beautiful. Enjoy!

I had the chance to cover a new and exciting sporting event last week. Enjoy!

LATER TODAY: Cindy McCain makeover. But first...

Come on, you know you think about it. Some of you more than others, of course. Watch below to see what images people keep on file for when they've got more than time on their hands...

The Singing Bee was the best reality show of last summer. So where is it this summer?!

Not to fear, we've taken it to the street!

Actually this really isn't about me. This is my interview with the Funniest Girl on Broadway. Kerry Butler is the star of Xanadu on Broadway and she is a riot. You must see this show before she leaves the cast. (If you can't see it with her, see it anyway. It's non-stop laughs. And it's 95 minutes and intermission-less, like most Broadway shows should be.)

Kerry is rare. She's hilarious without ever mugging. She's not outrageous in the least. In fact she sings beautifully. And she manages to be believable in the Olivia Newton-John muse-on-skates role. Don't ask how. Just go see the show if you can.

I know it's a difficult question to answer. But too bad, life is full of tough choices. Now suck it up and choose: Grandmothers or Grandfathers? (But first, watch the video.)

The Whiteygate Tape has been found. Now judge for yourself.

Good morning, everyone. We're glad that so many people appreciated our unearthing of the Michelle Obama Whiteygate Tape last Friday. And we acknowledge the anger many felt at the posting of material that might influence the impression some have of the prospective First Lady.

It was indeed a gut-wrenching decision for the Mo Rocca 180 editorial board. Several members were insistent that we withhold or "filter" the tape. But the majority of us sided with full disclosure. After the last seven years, it remains more important than ever that we in the press not suppress information. Journalists are quick to champion "Freedom of the Press." But with that Freedom comes a responsibility to our Public. We need to trust you to discern what matters. And you can only do that with full disclosure from us.

And now for some me-oriented fun! Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning I did a piece on Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! It's a super fun radio quiz show that I've been on six years. My buddy, the hilarious Adam Felber, got me on the show and I can't thank him enough. Enjoy!

(P.S. I'll be posting more written material soon. I know I've been a little video heavy lately.)

John Leguizamo and I are both half Colombian, so I knew we'd really hit it off. By the way I don't think my Spanish is that bad...

Well I'm back from my vacation! Where in the world was I? Pictures to come. But first...

Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm) is as funny when she's not cursing as when she is. And as you'll see in this interview, she's a true romantic.

I've had the honor of sitting on several Iron Chef America judging panels when Mario Batali has competed. So many chefs attempt to dazzle by, say, stacking the food high (don't be fooled: the taller the food, the worse the taste) or strewing the plate with foam (wherever I see foam, I expect to find flotsam and jetsam).

Mario is all about the food -- bringing out the flavor in whatever's being served. He could cook a brick and I guarantee you my mouth would water. (Yes, I know that bricks are already baked.)

Here's an interview I did with the man...