BEAN COUNTER: VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2

The Boston Globe has agreed to print and distribute copies of rival publication The Boston Herald. While no content will be crossing over, the agreement does stipulate that every workday begin and end with The Odd Couple theme. EVEN

Saturday saw the fifth annual No Pants Subway Ride hit the T. The pants-less flashmob reportedly had only a few cases of cold-legs, along with several incidences of old women muttering “Well I never!” while clutching handbags. PLUS 2

A Harvard study found a link between effective teaching and good student test scores, and that quality teachers have a greater impact on a student’s future earning potential. In other news, ice is now officially considered a cold thing. PLUS 1

“Whitey” Bulger’s lawyers are due in court this week for an update on evidence turned over by prosecutors. The defense’s movement to “just round down the murders” was summarily denied. EVEN

Actor James Franco is branching out, with a short story set for publication in the winter issue of Emerson College’s Ploughshares literary magazine. A Ploughshares editor was quoted as blown away by his prose, specifically the line “by James Franco.” PLUS 1

The New Hampshire GOP primary debates kicked off this past week with polite disagreement on fiscal policy between candidates tempered by an overall commitment to human rights and social equality. AHA HA HA HA HA … WHEW. MINUS 10

THIS WEEK’S TOTAL: MINUS 6

LAST WEEK’S TOTAL: MINUS 1