Could 'Rock of Love' boost your career?

Jake says: In the words (and spelling) of MC Hammer, "U Can't Touch This." The water cooler is all about circulation. The combined daily circulation of USA Today, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal is only a fraction of the 30 million people who watch every episode of American Idol. If you want to make water-cooler friends, talking about Simon Cowell is your best bet.

Nadira says: This is one place where newspapers may have to bow to the juggernaut that is reality TV, if you're talking about being cool with your co-workers. But if you're trying to impress a superior or two, you should have a few newspaper gems in your back pocket, just in case your CEO drops by the water-cooler huddle and doesn't want to hear your America's Next Top Model predictions.

NEXT: Lesson 7: Planning for the future