Michael Lewis, author of "Liar's Poker", the big 'End of Wall Street' recent hit piece in Portfolio Magazine, and now his new book "Panic: The Story Of Modern Financial Insanity" appeared on The Colbert Report last night. In the intro to the show, Colbert even took a dig at Jim Cramer, saying the title of Lewis' new book sounds more like Cramer's autobiography. (ba dum ching!)

Although in typical Colbert fashion, he didn't let Lewis get a word in edgewise during the interview, but it's a pretty humorous exchange nonetheless. You can watch the whole episode online here:

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes/index.jhtml?epi...

Skip to the 14:55 mark to see the Lewis interview segment.

Oh, major burn here for first year Goldman people. Last week GS let go 3,000 employees, but now it's 'say hello to the back office' for first years.

http://clusterstock.alleyinsider.com/2008/11/goldman-sachs-gs-moving-the...

Can anyone confirm this? If it happened to you would you take your chances and defect or stick around?

Hi guys,

I was asked to catch up with a male MD (banker) for a drink after work later this week. I'm a bit hesitate to go because it seems inappropriate, but honestly do not want to piss him off since he is quiet senior. He does not work in my group and my work does not report directly to him. His typically an extremely nice guys, therefore, not sure how to view this invite.

I apologize for the non-finance related post, but really need some advice on what to do, what to say that would be appropriate. Thanks so much!

So the Dow dropped below 8,000 today for the first time since early 2003, where do we go from here?

This mysterious 8,000 number has been fixated on by pundits and economists ever since the financial world started to fall apart. Is there another number you guys are hawkishly eyeing? Is it the unemployment rate? The countdown till Obama takes office? The latest astronomical layoff numbers at Citi? The amount Wall Street bonuses will get cut? The mpg on GM's next production car? The average SAT scores to get into Wharton?

Let us know.

So, I think that I am going with the JP Morgan offer.

However today, it's stock went down 11.42%. This market is really scaring me.

What do you guys think are the odds for JP to fail/get bought out by mid-summer next year? Should I take the offer without worrying because it's too big to fail?

Keep your eye out for Paul Nawrocki. The 59 year old has been out of work for 9 months and he's taken to marching the streets of New York, donning a sandwich board that announces his status of "almost homeless", and passing out his resume to anyone who will take it. Supposedly he's had a few bites from recruiters that have passed him by, but no real offers yet.

Bust out the fingerpaints, folks. This could be our competition.

You gotta love New York. Just when you think it can't get any worse...BOOM...now you can't get to work on time. Get a load of this:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/18/2008-11-18_mtas_planned_c...

As if that's not bad enough, they're going to raising the fares just to stand on the platform and hope for a shot at the next train. Check this out:

http://wcbstv.com/local/mta.subway.budget.2.867883.html

And just when I was thinking of investing in a souvenir stand selling "I HEART NY" T-shirts. What a joke. It is good to be from the Big Apple. Far from the Big Apple.