THIS WEEK: The Washington Times digs Democratic sex scandals; the Washington Informer misinforms; Bob Woodward writes a yawner; the Express does some textbook critter-pandering; and Erik withholds the vaunted 'fuego' designation.

Burned!

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This week: FF's triumphant and merciless return!

Watch in awe as Erik gives the cold shoulder to the Dupont Current, the InTowner, and the Examiner. The Washington Hispanic is en fuego, naturally, while Erik himself is back on the attack...sporting a dashing new haircut.

Don't touch that remote!

[FF Bonus: Scroll down after watching to discover what the Examiner's cover really says!]

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[...and the Examiner says... "Palin's Slapshot." Zing!]

This week's Fuego/Frio is, quite literally, off the charts. The Beacon is legit on health care, the Post is stale on Levy, and the Washingtonian is still the Washingtonian.

So what's the big deal? The Washington Examiner, whose attempt to hustle readers merits a whole new category.

Fuego, frio...falso?!? Tune in to see what all the fuss is about.

Arrriba!

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Erik manages to stay vertical this week, as he calls out the Washington Diplomat for sexist fluff and the Post for their rehash of the Chandra Levy murder.

Meanwhile, FF doles out generous props to the Brookland Heartbeat, and to the Examiner for heeding some sound advice.

The glue stick is back, the stories are hot—or not!—and Erik is in top form. Don't touch that remote!

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Headline pun courtesy of Amanda Hess.

Wemple pulls no punches this week, upbraiding the Washington Hispanic for bush leaguery, the InTowner for mundanity, and the Post for inanity.

The saving grace? Shiho Fukada of the New York Times.

Next week: the long-awaited return of Ruth?

Fresh off of Fuego/Frio's first foray into transcontinental media commentary, Erik and Ruth tackle the Politico, the Post, and People Magazine. This week, it's all about pork-barrel spending, interior decorating, and a pregnant man who can bench-press 250 pounds.

Got a story you’d like to see discussed on the next Fuego/Frío? Let us know in the comments.

And boy does she have stories to tell. Actually, she doesn't have any stories, save one about stealing from first class on an airplane. Still, Ms. Samuelson dutifully "sampled" her way through South African media and came home with her favorite: the Star.

Plus: Robert Mugabe, George Will, the Times' disappointing Metro section, and the Post's new, unpronounceable word!

(So why is the Star the size of a Buick? While Craigslist may have made it to Johannesburg, safe to say it hasn't taken over the market quite yet.)

All it takes is one easy step: stop reporting on water agencies! Eric Alterman's big "Out of Print" essay may have made it to the Fuego side this week, but imagine how hot it would have been if he'd had that nugget.

Mr. Wemple, still flying solo, attacks the conventional wisdom. Print media is dying? Don't tell that to the Post, which just unveiled a redesign. The Washington Times becoming more evenhanded? Tell that reporter to check his facts. And, finally, there's been some talk that the Post has too many editors. Maybe so, but that doesn't mean there's not a hole to fill.

It's chilly today, folks. The Post, el Pregonero, and the Examiner are all under the weather. Black Lips? I'm sure the band's feeling healthy enough after Saturday's show at the BLACK CAT.

Got a story you'd like to see discussed on the next Fuego/Frío? Wondering if you're the only one who didn't know breakfast was important? (You might be.) Let us know in the comments.

With Ruth Samuelson taking her first vacation in nearly three decades, Erik Wemple must be a little lonely. Good thing he found his comfort zone: Yelling about the weather, of course!

Got a story you'd like to see discussed on the next Fuego/Frío? Wondering how much money we're spending on glue stick? Let us know in the comments.

The Hotness: The Post's story on Anthony Williams taking the plunge and buying a condo; the New York Times for its well-rounded Spitzer coverage; and Harper's for the Tasmanian devil/cancer piece (we'll let Wemple explain).

The Notness: Sorry, District Chronicles, but cutline cutline just won't cut it.

Got a story you’d like to see discussed on the next Fuego/Frío? Wondering why Harper's started printing on index cards? Let us know in the comments.

Elliot Spitzer's frío as can be, but is the local media hot on the story? Hosts Ruth Samuelson and Erik Wemple are back with Episode #3,457 of Fuego/Frío—you know the drill:

Fuego: Dana Milbank, the Dupont Current, and today's Post story about Michelle Rhee.
Nope: The Washington Times—who knew Pennsylvania and Ohio were similar?—and Deborah Howell for her take on Charlotte Allen's stupid piece.

Got a story you'd like to see discussed on the next Fuego/Frío? Let us know in the comments.