Eric Johnson recaps the week’s top local, national, and international stories.

The Week in Review was originally included in the Brief, WBRU’s weekly news magazine, which airs on Monday nights at 11.

From the News Blog

5) Former Senator Lincoln Chaffee made headlines this week by announcing he’s taken the first step towards running for governor in 2010. Read about his gubernatorial exploratory committee here.

4) This week our Entertainment News team welcomes movie reviewer Max Gindi to its ranks. Max will be posting reviews every Friday before you head out for your local theater. In his inaugural review, he gave Seth Rogen’s Observe and Report a C. Read why here.

3) With the recent decision by the Vermont legislature to legalize gay marriage, Rhode Island is the only state in New England that does not recognize homosexual unions. At an anti-gay-marriage rally this week, Governor Carcieri spoke out in favor of an official state ban.

2) On Monday, author and humorist David Sedaris came to the Providence Performing Arts Center, wowing the audience with hilarious stories about kookaburras, Nicaragua and more. Read all about his A-grade performance here.

1) Cue the Dropkick Murphys. Rain may have held off opening day for the Red Sox this week, but with a little help from Ted Kennedy, the Sox pulled out a win on Tuesday over the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3. Get the full story here.

Five Awesome Things

5) As if you needed another reason to consume chocolate: a company claims they are now manufacturing $2.50 tubes of the good stuff in inhaleable form. Supposedly, I’m supposed to suggest four other cool websites for you to visit, but I’m strongly tempted to stop this Round-Up here so I can go get some of these.

4) Last week, we told you about the strangest sights in Google Street View. This week, we have more funtimes from the creepy online service. The specially equipped car that takes those pictures struck a bridge. Ow.

3) As soon as I saw this game, I knew it was destined for the Round-Up. BallDroppings is a simple but alarmingly addictive game. I can’t find the words to describe it, but try it. You’ll thank me later.

2) From Cracked.com, What 23 Famous Movie Characters Would Be Doing Today. I particularly like #21 and #9, but can someone explain the winner to me? I must be dumb or just uncultured…no idea what that’s a reference to.

1) Sorry, vegetarians. How to use bacon to make your life incredible and amazing.