(FORTUNE Magazine) – This hasn't been the most stable year for those in the public eye. Cisco, once unassailable, has become unmentionable. The bickering, underachieving Lakers transformed themselves into the Second Coming of Showtime. And now Tom Daschle is using poor Trent Lott's stationery. As Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor might say, "C'est la vie."

--Jason Tanz

1 He's really regretting that "Why don't you just switch parties?" taunt.

2 Investors give new meaning to the phrase "torture Chambers."

3 Baz Luhrmann's flick is screened at Cannes. Alternate title: Moi Aussie!

4. Kobe and Shaq's march through the West puts Sherman to shame.