The contestants receive their first assignments. Colin travels to Toronto to interview We Are Scientists, Russell goes to Chicago to cover Lupe Fiasco and Ghostface Killah, and Krishtine meets underground rapper El-P. Each rookie encounters a different reporting problem, including inadequate preparation, awkward questioning, insensitive phrasing and resistance to revisions. Despite his difficult interview, Colin becomes the first member of the group to have an article published on Rolling Stone’s website.