That’s what Mona and I call our new episode of Need to Know. It was once a Mel Brooks flick. Now it’s Election 2016, and the American future, in the minds of some of us.

Bush 41 had another expression: “Tension City.”

Anyway, to hear our recent episode, go here. It is dominated by Trump and Hillary. But there are honorable (?) mentions for Gary Johnson, Jill Stein (!), Evan McMullin, and maybe some others.

At The New Criterion, I have some dispatches from the Salzburg Festival. Here is a new production of Faust. (There is a review, I mean.) Here is Grigory Sokolov, the bizarre, superb Russian pianist. Here is a Manon Lescaut, starring Anna Netrebko, with (new) hub.

If you want something New Yorky, here’s a post on what I regard as the coolest venue in town: the Appel Room, which is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center. No, not the Apple Room — although there are similarities (lots of glass, sleek modernity).

You know how New York is the Big Apple? I’m thinking Vienna could be known as the Big Apple Strudel.

Okay, I’m done. (Applause.)