HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (12-13-11)
Charlie Sheen Tried to Tweet His Phone Number to Justin Bieber . . . But Ended Up Tweeting it to All His Followers:
CHARLIE SHEEN'S phone BLEW UP last week when he tried to direct-message his number to JUSTIN BIEBER . . . but ended up posting it where his 5 million followers could see it. --He typed, "310-954-7277 Call me bro. C" . . . and stuff got real. --A source says, quote, "Charlie's phone immediately went into meltdown. It was ringing wildly, and he got 1,800 text messages in minutes. --"Charlie saw the funny side and answered the phone a few times, saying things like 'Ray's Pizza' and 'Winning.' --"But his phone just continued ringing and buzzing and eventually just completely melted down. Charlie was, like, 'I guess I need a new phone.'" (--There's no word WHY Charlie wants Justin to call him.) (--In related but far less interesting news, Charlie's ex-wife BROOKE MUELLER has begun an outpatient rehab program.) (--A source says she'll be under professional supervision 24-7, and at her own request, she'll be tested for cocaine and other illegal substances daily.)
Ryan Gosling Got "The Notebook" Because the Director Didn't Think He Was Handsome or Cool:
RYAN GOSLING has made millions of women swoon in "The Notebook". But the ironic thing is that he only got the part because director Nick Cassavetes didn't think he was that attractive. --Ryan says, quote, "[Nick] called me to meet him at his house. When I got there, he was standing in his back yard, and he looked at me and said, 'I want you to play this role because you're not like the other young actors out there in Hollywood. --"'You're not handsome, you're not cool, you're just a regular guy who looks a bit nuts.'" --Growing up in Canada, Ryan says he was, quote, "a lonely child. I didn't do well in school and TV was my only friend." --So what inspired him to get into showbiz? RAQUEL WELCH. And the Muppets. --He says, quote, "One day, I saw Raquel Welch on 'The Muppet Show'. She was dancing with this big furry spider and I immediately fell in love. She was the first crush I ever had, and I thought, 'How do I get to meet this woman?' --"And then I thought, 'Well, she's on TV, so to meet her I have to get on TV myself.'"
Nikki Blonsky Really Is Working at a Salon . . . And She's Proud Of It:
"Hairspray" star NIKKI BLONSKY really IS working as a cosmetologist at a Long Island hair salon. And she's proud of it. --She Tweeted, quote, "It's true Im workin@ Superstar Salon as a makeup artist & more. Im proud 2 b workin & helpin pay bills BUT ill NEVER loose sight of my dreams." --She added, quote, "Just cause Im part time workin doesnt mean Im gonna give up on my dreams n dont give up on urs. I might book something big soon keep positive."
George Takei Wants "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" Fans to Unite . . . Against "Twilight":
By now, we've all seen the silly YouTube feud between "Star Trek" stud WILLIAM SHATNER and "Star Wars" minx CARRIE FISHER. --Well, deliciously gay "Trek" superstar GEORGE TAKEI wants it to stop. He believes the two sides need to put their differences aside and unite against a common foe: "Twilight". --Why? Because it's, quote, "really, really bad." (--Check out George's video plea.)
Sara Leal Says Her Fling With Ashton Kutcher Nearly Ruined Her Life:
SARA LEAL had relations with ASHTON KUTCHER on his sixth wedding anniversary. But let's forget for a moment what that did to Ashton and DEMI MOORE. Sara would like you to know what it did to HER.--She says, quote, "I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It might have seemed like I was asking for it, but I wasn't." --Sara says that after the story broke she got a lot of disturbing phone calls, lost her job, lost her best friend and was even shunned by her father. And she claims she didn't even know Ashton was married before they started messing around. --And perhaps most importantly, she would like you to know that she is NOT a ho. She says, quote, "He was a good looking guy and it was stupid. --"When people say to me, 'I can't believe you did that,' I want to say back that most 22-year-old girls in my position would have done the same thing."
Does "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" Kure Kancer?
The KARDASHIANS get blamed for a lot of stuff . . . but nobody ever talks about the GOOD things they do. So check this out: --There's a good chance that their flagship reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" KURES KANCER. (???) --That's according to former "Survivor" winner ETHAN ZOHN . . . who's battling lymphoma for a second time. --Ethan's girlfriend . . . fellow "Survivor" winner JENNA MORASCA . . . says, quote, "Whenever he's sick or having a down day we use that to keep up with our Kardashians. --And Ethan adds, quote, "'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' is curing cancer. You can quote me on that. Tell KIM and KHLOE and KOURTNEY and SCOTT [DISICK]. Scott's my favorite. --"He is just honest and he tells it like it is. He says stuff that everyone really wants to say but they don't have the balls to say it." --As for his health, Ethan says, quote, "Right now, I'm feeling great. I'm on a new drug called SGN-35, a more targeted therapy. It only targets the bad cancer cells inside my body. I'm keeping a positive attitude."
Khloe Says She's Looking Forward to the Move to Dallas:
KHLOE KARDASHIAN tells E! News she's looking forward to the move to Dallas so LAMAR ODOM can play for the Mavericks. She says, quote, "This was an unexpected change, but I'm looking forward to the move. --"I've heard nothing but great things about Dallas and the Mavs. Can't wait to join my hubby there and get to know the city and all the wonderful people there."
Kobe Bryant Isn't Happy that Lamar Odom Was Traded . . . And He Says It Wasn't Because of the Kardashians:
KOBE BRYANT isn't happy that the Lakers got rid of LAMAR ODOM. He says, quote, "I don't like it . . . to be honest with you, I don't like ." --Kobe is also denying the chatter going around that the Lakers dumped him because his involvement with the KARDASHIANS was a distraction. --He says, quote, "You're talking about the Sixth Man of the Year last year . . . he played lights out. I don't understand the criticism of reality shows and this, that and the other." --He added, quote, "I don't get it. I don't understand that. He had his best season last season, clearly it wasn't a distraction, and he played his ass off. --"I don't get where that comes from."
Point-Counterpoint: Tim Tebow's Pastor Says God is Helping Him Win Games . . . But the Church of Satan Doesn't Agree:
Coming into this season, NOBODY gave quarterback TIM TEBOW a chance to make it in the NFL. He was mocked not only for his supposedly deficient skills, but also for his very open devotion to Jesus. (--Here's an example of the Tebow HATE that's out there: Some dude posted a photo gallery featuring 45 pictures of Tebow being TACKLED. Check it out here.) --Tebow got bumped up to starting QB for the Denver Broncos earlier this season, when the team was 1 and 4. Now they're 8 and 5, and they've won their last SIX games. --Some of those victories have been come-from-behind affairs that have almost seemed . . . yeah, I'm gonna say it . . . MIRACULOUS. --And people are actually starting to ask the question: Is Tim Tebow being FUELED BY A HIGHER POWER? --Yes he is, according to one of Tebow's pastors, Wayne Hanson, from the Summit Church in Castle Rock, Colorado --He says, quote, "It's not luck. Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor. God has blessed his hard work." --Would Tebow be winning like this if he wasn't such a strong believer? Hanson says, quote, "No, of course not." --Assuming that God is helping Tebow and "awarding" him implies that God is HINDERING and PUNISHING other athletes and teams. Would God do such a thing? --Obviously, not everyone believes that. Like Peter H. Gilmore . . . the high priest of the CHURCH OF SATAN. (???) He doesn't believe God has anything to do with Tebow's success. --He says, quote, "Satanists are atheists, and we would consider any triumph to rely on a combination of skill and luck . . . most certainly not in any form of supernatural intervention from either Heaven or Hell." --However . . . he does believe that Tebow's FAITH is a contributing factor. --He says, quote, "Those who have a winning attitude tend to do better, and whatever fuels such team spirit, be it religious fervor or simply an overwhelming desire to succeed, is the real source for success."
And Now . . . A Summary of the Most Popular Stuff on Facebook:
Facebook has compiled lists of the most popular pages and topics over the past year.
--Here's a quick rundown of the year's list-toppers:
--MEGAN FOX had the fastest-growing celebrity web page this year.
--"Harry Potter" had the fastest-growing movie page . . . and "House" topped the list in TV.
--And Dr. House, played by HUGH LAURIE, had the fastest-growing page among FICTIONAL CHARACTERS.
--RIHANNA topped musicians . . . while her single "We Found Love" was the most listened-to song on Facebook.
(--You can see the complete lists in all these categories . . . as well as several other categories including Sports, News, Status Trends and more . . . here.)
There's an "Austin Powers" Musical in the Works:
MIKE MYERS isn't just working on "Austin Powers 4". He's also developing an "Austin Powers" STAGE MUSICAL. --It'll be a PREQUEL to the movies, focusing on how Austin first obtained his MOJO in the 1960s. Mike WON'T star in it. --It'll be set to the music of BURT BACHARACH . . . who actually had a cameo in all three "Austin Powers" flicks . . . and ELVIS COSTELLO . . . who was in the second one.
Check Out the Trailer for "Men in Black 3":
A new trailer for "Men in Black 3" has hit the web. In this one, WILL SMITH goes back in time and hooks up with a younger version of TOMMY LEE JONES' character . . . played by JOSH BROLIN. --And from what little they show of Brolin's performance, it looks like he has it NAILED. (--The movie comes out next Memorial Day. Check out the trailer here. Brolin shows up for three seconds at 1:46.)
"Hot in Cleveland" Will Host Another "Mary Tyler Moore Show" Reunion:
Back in January, MARY TYLER MOORE appeared on BETTY WHITE'S TV Land sitcom "Hot in Cleveland". And now, the show will reunite Betty with another one of her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-stars.--ED ASNER will guest star on an episode scheduled to air sometime next summer. He's playing the president of a country club that the ladies try to get into . . . and it's discovered that Betty's character has a "long history" with Ed's character. --When Mary appeared on "Hot in Cleveland", it was the first time she'd done something with Betty since the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" series finale in 1977. --But Betty and Ed have reunited several times since then. They were both in the MORGAN FREEMAN movie "Hard Rain" in 1998 . . . and they were both in a few episodes of "The Practice" in 2004. --They also both voiced characters in the same episode of "The Wild Thornberrys" in 2000 . . . and in the 1996 TV movie "The Story of Santa Claus".
Lisa Rinna Is Returning to "Days of Our Lives":
LISA RINNA is coming back to "Days of Our Lives", which is one of the few soaps that's still around. She's returning to her role as Billie Reed, who she's played for more than 150 episodes. She last appeared on the show in 2005. --Lisa will be a full-time cast member. Her first episode back will air on March 8th.
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's Holiday TV Appearances:
If your household is big into JUSTIN BIEBER and SELENA GOMEZ . . . here's something to tack on your refrigerator: It's a rundown of where you'll see them on TV this holiday season. --For starters, they'll be appearing on competing New Year's Eve specials. Selena is performing on MTV's annual countdown, which will be co-hosted by DEMI LOVATO and "Teen Wolf" star TYLER POSEY. Justin is performing on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest", which airs on ABC. --But before that you can catch Justin performing "Mistletoe" and "Away in a Manger" on the annual "Christmas in Washington" special. It taped on Sunday, and will air on TNT this Friday evening. --PRESIDENT OBAMA was there . . . along with MICHELLE OBAMA and their daughters Sasha and Malia. (--The President reportedly "grooved" to Justin's performance. Here's a picture of Justin with the President.) (EOnline) (--The special will also include performances by CEE LO GREEN, JENNIFER HUDSON and THE BAND PERRY. CONAN O'BRIEN is the host.) --Justin is also taping a Canadian holiday special this week. It'll air December 22nd on Canada's MuchMusic and CTV channels. (--Of course, Justin was born in Ontario, Canada.) --It's a half-hour concert special called "Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays". Proceeds will be donated to Justin's Believe charity.
Russell Simmons Has Bought Up "All-American Muslim" Ad Time to Protest Lowe's:
You can count RUSSELL SIMMONS among the mass of people who are upset with Lowe's for pulling its ads from TLC's "All-American Muslim" . . . seemingly because of its POSITIVE portrayal of Muslims. (--Russell is the hip-hop businessman who co-founded Def Jam.) --Russell is protesting Lowe's by buying up the ad time that the store vacated for the upcoming episode of "All-American Muslim". He's promoting his "Rush" Visa card. --Russell Tweeted, quote, "Just purchased remaining spots for #AllAmericanMuslim for next week. The show is now sold out! Keep your money @Lowes, and we'll keep ours." -He's also promoting a petition, which asks Lowe's to, quote, "stand up against the bigots of the anti-Islam / Islamophobia industry, whose most concerning complaint is that the show is intent on humanizing American Muslims . . . as though humanization were not an American value." --As of late last night, the petition had 18,500 signatures. (--The petition is up at SignOn.org.)
Tuesday TV Reminders:
--"Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. Eastern on PBS. David Archuleta and Michael York perform with the choir.
--"William & Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on NBC. Natalie Morales hosts this look at the first six months of marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
--"The Biggest Loser" [12th Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC. Train performs "Brand New Book".
--"CMT Artists of the Year 2011" . . . 9:00 to 10:30 P.M. on CMT. Rob Lowe hosts this musical tribute to Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift.
--"Dirty Jobs" [8th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Discovery.
--"Knights of Mayhem" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on NGC.
--"Chopped" [9th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Food Network.
VIDEO GAME QUICK HITS
New DLC for "Battlefield 3", "GoW3", and "AC: Revelations" . . . Plus "GTA3" Will Hit Your Mobile Device This Thursday:
--The deadline to become a "Call of Duty: Elite" founder ends today. The main benefit is you get early access to new features and it covers the cost of all the "Modern Warfare 3" maps that will be released for the next year. It will set you back another $50, but you can compare the features between the free and premium memberships here.
--There aren't any new games hitting stores this week, but you will have the option to pick up some new downloadable content on your console. Here's what's out . . .
. . . The "Battlefield 3" expansion pack "Back to Karkland". It comes with four new maps, 10 new weapons, and three new vehicles. PS3 users got early access last week, but it's just hitting the Xbox today. "Back to Karkland" is free to anyone who preordered the game but will cost $14.99 (1200 MS points) to everyone else.
. . . The "Gears of War 3" expansion pack, "RAAM's Shadow" for the Xbox 360. This content is a prequel to the first game. Zeta Squad features Lt. Minh Young Kim from "Gears 1", Tai Kaliso from "Gears 2", Michael Barrick from the "Gears" comics, and a new chick. You also get to play as the villain RAAM for one of the levels. (Video)
. . . "Assassin's Creed: Revelations" is releasing its Ancestors Character Pack this week for 320 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live, which is $3.99 on Playstation. It has four new multiplayer characters: the Privateer, Corsair, Brigand and Gladiator. (Photo)
By the way, expansion packs for "Assassin's Creed 2" and "Brotherhood" went on sale on Xbox Live last week. The "Battle of Forli" is down to 160 MS points, "Bonfire of the Vanities" is 280 MS points, and "The Da Vinci Disappearance" sells for 400 MS points.
--"Grand Theft Auto 3" will be available on your iPhone and your Android as a 10th Anniversary Edition starting this Thursday, December 15th. The app sells for $4.99. You'll find a list of all mobile devices that it works on here.
--The game streaming service OnLive has updated their iOS and Android tablet app so you can play major releases like "L.A. Noire", and "Batman: Arkham City" anywhere you can connect to 3G, 4G, or wireless internet. (Full Story)
The New "Star Wars" Game Is Out Next Week . . . Here's What You Need to Know:
"Star Wars: The Old Republic" is in stores December 20th. If you're not familiar with it, this will be a massive multiplayer game for the PC. It's also a subscription based service just like "World of Warcraft", but 30 days of gameplay comes with the disc.
--You can preorder it now at www.swtor.com and that's supposed to get you into the game five days before everyone else. You'll find a chart that shows the differences between the Standard Edition and the Deluxe Edition here.
--The action takes place several hundred years after the events of the "Knights of the Old Republic" games, but it's still 3,000 years before the rise of Darth Vader. The Sith have reclaimed their homeworld, attacked Alderaan, and destroyed the Jedi Temple.
(--As a dedicated fan boy, you'll want to read more details, and spend 16-minutes watching all three trailers here. The first video is the Sith return to Korriban, the second is the Republic victory on Alderaan, and the last clip is the epic battle for the Jedi temple on Coruscant.)
--Even though it's designed as a multiplayer game, you can still play much of the storyline by yourself without having to join any of the online guilds. Every player gets their own ship and you also have a companion character to help you on your missions.
--The companion you get depends on whether you fight for the Light Side or the Dark Side, and which of the four classes you choose.
--If you're evil, the Sith have two types of Force users . . . plus the Bounty Hunter and the Imperial Agent classes. And if you're fighting for The Republic, then you can be two types of Jedi, or use a blaster as either a Trooper or a Han Solo-type smuggler.
This Week's Video Releases - December 13th:
--"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - James Franco's new Alzheimer's drug has the side effect of boosting intelligence in chimps. Andy Serkis plays Caesar, the chimp who starts an ape revolution, using the same motion-capture technology he used to play King Kong, and Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" movies.
"Slumdog Millionaire" minx Freida Pinto plays Franco's girlfriend, and John Lithgow is his father. And although you might not recognize him at first, that's Tom Felton . . . a.k.a. Draco Malfoy from "Harry Potter" . . . as the A-hole taunting Caesar.
--"Fright Night" - The remake of the 1985 horror classic about a teenager who's convinced that his creepy new neighbor is a vampire. Colin Farrell is the vampire, and the kid is played by Anton Yelchin, who you know as Chekov in the new "Star Trek".
--"Kung Fu Panda 2" - Gary Oldman is the new villain . . . a peacock who's figured out how to defeat kung fu, and wants to conquer all of China. The only thing standing in his way is Po, the chubby panda played by Jack Black.
Po gets help from the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Mantis, and Crane . . . a.k.a. Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, and David Cross. And Dustin Hoffman is back as their mentor Shifu.
--"Spin City: The Complete Sixth Season" . . . a four-disc DVD set. That was a Charlie Sheen season, NOT a Michael J. Fox season.
--"Family Guy: Volume 9" . . . a three-disc DVD set.
--"Switched at Birth: Volume One" . . . a two-disc DVD set.
--"Swamp People: Season 2" . . . a four-disc set of the History Channel series.
--"Sledge Hammer!: The Complete Series" . . . on five-discs. It ran two seasons.
Upcoming Video Releases - December 20th:
--In stores December 20th . . . "Colombiana" - Zoe Saldana plays an assassin looking for revenge on the mobster who ordered a hit on her parents when she was a little girl.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie"!!! The cast performs two dozen songs in concert, including their first season anthem "Don't Stop Believin'". Amy Winehouse even gets a small tribute as Santana covers the song "Valerie".
--In stores December 20th . . . "Dolphin Tale" - A boy rescues a dolphin caught in a trap, then helps it learn to swim with a prosthetic tail. Ashley Judd plays his mom, Harry Connick Jr. runs the aquarium hospital, and Morgan Freeman is the doctor who figures out how to make the prosthetic tail. (--It's based on a true story.)
--In stores December 20th . . . "Straw Dogs" - James Marsden is pushed to his limit after he moves to the South with his hot wife. She's played by Kate Bosworth, and Alexander Skarsgard from "True Blood" plays her violent ex-boyfriend.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Warrior" - The MMA movie about two brothers end up fighting against each other for the championship. Nick Nolte plays their dad, and Tom Hardy, a.k.a. Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises", plays one of the brothers.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Margin Call" - Zachary Quinto is an entry-level analyst who discovers a financial screw-up at a major investment bank in 2008, during the early stages of the financial crisis. The rest of all-star cast includes Kevin Spacey, Simon Baker, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, and Demi Moore.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Blackthorn" - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid escaped their standoff with the Bolivian army . . . and Butch has been living in South America under the name James Blackthorn. Sam Shepherd is Butch Cassidy and Eduardo Noriega is a guy who drags him into one last adventure.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Stay Cool" - A comedy about an author who returns to high school to give the commencement speech. It stars a guy named Mark Polish. Winona Ryder is his old crush, Hilary Duff plays a senior who throws herself at him, and the rest of the cast includes Jon Cryer, Sean Astin and "Lost's" Josh Holloway.
--In stores December 20th . . . "One Tree Hill: The Complete 8th Season".
--In stores December 20th . . . "Futurama: Volume 6" . . . a two-disc set.
Upcoming Video Releases - December 27th:
--In stores December 27th . . . "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" - Jason Sudeikis and his friends want to throw one last Labor Day party at his dad's beach house before he sells it, and decide they should "go out with a bang" by making it an orgy. (Red Band)
--In stores December 27th . . . "Apollo 18" - A sci-fi horror film about a secret space mission, where two American astronauts were sent back to the moon to find out what happened to some missing cosmonauts.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Final Destination 5" - In this one, the premonition that temporarily saves everyone's lives is the collapse of a bridge. You know the rest.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Inside Out" - Triple H plays an ex-con trying to keep his best friend from getting whacked by a local mob boss. Michael Rapaport is his friend and Bruce Dern is the mobster.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Shameless: The Complete First Season" . . . a 3-disc set of the Showtime series that blessed us with Emmy Rossum's breasts.
--In stores December 27th . . . "The Borgias: The First Season" . . . a 3-disc set of the Showtime series that stars Jeremy Irons as the corrupt Pope, Rodrigo Borgia.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Jersey Shore Uncensored: Season Four" . . . a four-disc set of the most current season, that the cast filmed in Italy.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Archer: Season 2" . . . a two-disc DVD set.
NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
This Week's CD Releases:
--"Anthem Inc.", Naughty by Nature . . . Their seventh album reunites all three original members, and also features a 20th anniversary version of their hit "O.P.P.". Their guests include Queen Latifah, Kate Nauta, Jaheim, and Joe.
--"Mac & Devin Go to High School", Snoop & Wiz Khalifa . . . Their guests include Bruno Mars, white rapper Mike Posner and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia.
--The scores to "Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" . . . "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows" . . . "We Bought a Zoo" . . . and "The Adventures of Tintin".
Music Coming Out Next Week:
--In stores December 20th . . . "The Dreamer, The Believer", Common . . . his guests include Nas and John Legend, plus poet Maya Angelou on "The Dreamer".
--In stores December 20th . . . "TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition", Young Jeezy
Tony Bennett's Drawing of a Naked Lady Gaga Is Up for Auction:
On her Thanksgiving special, LADY GAGA talked about how TONY BENNETT sketched her . . . while she was completely nude, "Titanic"-style . . . for "Vanity Fair". (--It was photographer Annie Leibovitz's idea.) --Lady Gaga said, quote, "I walked in and said, 'Well Tony, here we are' . . . and I dropped my robe and I got into position. I felt shy and thought, 'It's Tony Bennett, why am I naked?'" --Well, now you can own that drawing . . . assuming you have the kind of cash to throw at something like this. --The drawing is for sale on eBay's new celebrity page. (--Here's a direct link.) --The auction opened yesterday, and will close next Monday. Proceeds will go to Tony's Exploring the Arts charity and Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. --A reserve price has been set at $5,000 . . . as of late last night, there were NO BIDS for that amount or more. --Lady Gaga is lying down naked in the drawing, but her nether region is obscured in shadow and her arm is covering most of her breast. (--By the way, Tony sure gave her a BEAST-LIKE arm.) --Tony signed the drawing with his REAL last name: "BENEDETTO".
Barry Manilow Is Having Hip Surgery:
BARRY MANILOW has taken his hip into the shop for some routine repairs. His publicist says he was hospitalized yesterday to undergo hip surgery for Bursitis. The doctors will remove fluid, and repair some torn muscles. --Barry's recovery is expected to take about six weeks. He has a few shows in Chicago booked for early February, and he plans to be good to go by then. --Barry says, quote, "That's what you get when you jump around to 'Copacabana' for 30 years! Wish me luck!"
Sublime with Rome Has Lost Their Drummer:
SUBLIME is on its last legs . . . specifically, bassist ERIC WILSON'S legs. --Just before a show over the weekend, original drummer BUD GAUGH quit the band. There may have been some drama, but Bud just said, quote, "It's a long story . . . I'm going to be a dad here again real soon, and I just wanna be there for my family." --This leaves Eric as the LAST original member. Back in 1996, singer BRADLEY NOWELL died of a heroin overdose. In 2009, Sublime reformed as SUBLIME WITH ROME . . . because their new singer was a guy named Rome. --Sublime with Rome has replaced Bud with a drummer named Josh Freese. (--So, do they re-name the band SUBLIME WITH ROME WITHOUT BUD GAUGH PLUS JOSH FREESE . . . or just keep it Sublime with Rome?)
Deep Thoughts on Lindsay Lohan's "Playboy" Shoot, Courtesy of 50 Cent:
Even though pictures from LINDSAY LOHAN'S "Playboy" shoot leaked all over the Internet this weekend, 50 CENT says he hasn't seen them yet. But he WILL check them out when he gets around to it. --He says, quote, "I always wondered what Lindsay's [private parts] looked like. Ever thought about it? I'll check it out and see what happens." (???) --But even though 50 is interested, he can't understand why "Playboy" would pay Lindsay $1 MILLION for the spread. And he wonders if Lindsay feels any LESS like a stripper because she got that much. --He says, quote, "[It's] the same thing strippers do almost every day for way less. If they give you a million dollars, does that change the status of what you've done? --"If I pay a hundred dollars . . . is it the same thing as paying a million dollars when you're a movie star or celebrity? [Is it] the same transaction? Or is it socially different? Does it register different because of how much?" (--It's kind of strange for 50 to be bringing this up, but he may have a point.)
Snoop Dogg Is Going to Be a Contestant on "The Price Is Right":
Next month, we're going to find out if SNOOP DOGG has a handle on how much normal people's kitchen appliances cost . . . because he's going to be a contestant on "The Price Is Right". --Snoop is participating in the show's first ever celebrity week. He'll compete against regular, non-celebrity contestants on Monday, January 2nd. (--The celebrity episodes have already been filmed.) --JENNY MCCARTHY will take on the contestants on Tuesday . . . NEIL PATRICK HARRIS will be the celebrity on Wednesday. Thursday will feature former "American Idol" star CHRIS DAUGHTRY, and HEIDI KLUM will be Friday's star. --Naturally, the celebrities will be playing for charities. Snoop's winnings will go to his Youth Football League. --By the way, it sounds like Snoop did pretty well. Producer Mike Richards says, quote, "It was a lot of fun to watch these celebrities play our iconic games. Each one had their own unique strategy to win. --"Let's just say Snoop knows more about the price of grocery items than you might think!"
TUESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
TMZ got a recording of LINDSAY LOHAN freaking out when she realized she'd lost her purse over the weekend. (Audio)
JESSICA SIMPSON has reportedly signed a $3 million deal to start Weight Watchers after she has her baby. (Full Story)
Now, BRUTUS "THE BARBER" BEEFCAKE is going to sue LINDA HOGAN for saying he had gay sex with HULK. (Full Story)
PAULA DEEN, WOODY ALLEN and SIGMUND FREUD all suffer . . . or, in Freud's case, suffered . . . from agoraphobia, which is a fear of public spaces. So did a lot of other celebrities. (Photo Gallery)
The estate of the late RUE MCCLANAHAN . . . Blanche from "Golden Girls" . . . is auctioning off her belongings to fans, as she requested. (Full Story)
JIM BOB and MICHELLE DUGGAR have decided to name the baby that Michelle miscarried last week. They named her Jubilee Shalom Duggar, and they'll hold a memorial service for her tomorrow. (Full Story)
KATE GOSSELIN says Christmas makes her "hiney" sore . . . because she spends more than four hours on the floor while her kids open their presents. She also says they generate so much trash on Christmas that she leaves cookies by her garbage cans for, quote, "our ever kind and helpful trash men." (Full Story)
SARAH PALIN is trying to sell networks on a reality show about her husband's snowmobile adventures. Not surprisingly, no networks are interested in it. (Full Story)
Original "Survivor" winner RICHARD HATCH is out of prison again. (Full Story)
RANDOM STUFF
A 17-Year-Old Girl Has Invented a Nanoparticle That Kills Cancer:
(--Here's another example of kids doing AMAZING things in medicine and technology . . .) This girl's not so great. Sure, she's made a major scientific breakthrough at age 17 . . . --17-year-old Angela Zhang is a high school student in Cupertino, California. And she just won the $100,000 grand prize in a math, science, and technology competition . . . for inventing a nanoparticle that kills cancer cells. --That's right. She's not even able to vote, buy cigarettes, or go to a strip club . . . but she's already beating cancer. --Angela says she designed the particle to deliver a drug directly to cancerous cells and not affect the healthy cells around them. Current drugs don't do that. And, her particle can release extra cancer-fighting drugs when it's activated by a laser. --Scientists called Angela's new technique, quote, "a Swiss Army Knife of cancer treatment" because it has so many potential uses. --Unfortunately, like all cancer treatments, it'll take years or even DECADES of testing before it's ready to be used on patients. --Angela has worked more than 1,000 hours on the project since 2009. (Wall Street Journal)
Men Think Christmas Would Be Better If They Were In Charge . . . Featuring Less Stress, No In-Laws, and Steak for Dinner:
Women are in charge of Christmas. That's a fact. A survey last week found that 0% of couples say the man takes the lead for the holidays. But deep down, men secretly think they could do it better. --A new survey found that more than one-third of men think Christmas would be MUCH better if they ran the show. Here's what men say they would change . . .
#1.) People would be expected to spend less on gifts.
#2.) Family Christmas cards would become rare . . . more than half would stop sending them.
#3.) There would be NO visits from the in-laws.
#4.) They'd do whatever it took to make the holiday season LESS STRESSFUL.
#5.) And finally, instead of traditional Christmas dinner, they'd serve STEAK and FRENCH FRIES.
(Daily Mail)
Three Out of Four Parents Say Their Kids Act Spoiled During Christmas:
So you're spending a LOT of money on gifts for your kids this year. You might even go to the mall and FIGHT other parents to get those gifts. All to see your kids' faces on Christmas morning . . . when they don't even remember to say "Thank you." --According to a new survey by "Parenting" magazine, the overwhelming majority of parents say their kids act SPOILED during Christmas . . . and they kinda realize it's their fault. Check out these numbers . . .
--76% of parents say their kids act spoiled and are less grateful than they should be during the holidays.
--59% of parents say that their kids are more spoiled than they were as kids. Only 11% say they're less spoiled.
--The average parent will spend $271 per child on gifts this year, and 30% will spend over $300. 74% are spending the same or more than last year.
--76% of parents say they feel GUILTY about saying "no" to something on their child's wish list, and 18% try to give their kids EVERYTHING they ask for.
--44% of parents will make multiple trips to the same store to find a hot toy, and 23% will go to multiple stores if they're having trouble finding it. 0.5% say they will, in fact, wrestle the gift out of another parent's hands. (Parenting)
Buying Christmas Gifts for Yourself Has Hit an All-Time High:
We're in the middle of the most self-centered era in American history, so this makes complete sense. When we're out Christmas shopping, we're making SURE not to forget the most important person in our lives . . . OURSELVES. --According to "Time" magazine, self-gifting has hit an ALL-TIME HIGH this Christmas. --In 2009, 52% of people bought themselves a Christmas gift. Last year it jumped to 59%. And this year, it's made the jump to 60%. --The average person will give themselves $130.43 in gifts, up from $112.20 last year. (Time)
Women Say Motherhood Is Harder Than It Was 20 Years Ago . . . but Think They Do It Better Than Their Mothers:
Ivory Soap sponsored a survey about motherhood and found that moms think their job is harder now . . . but that they're better at it than THEIR mother. --More than 80% of American moms said that being a mother is more complicated today than it was 20 years ago. --Despite that, 90% of mothers said that they do a BETTER job of balancing all the challenges of motherhood than their mothers did. --That doesn't mean that today's moms don't need a break. 30% say the most complicated part of motherhood is finding "me time." Two in three women say they find it by hiding in the bathroom for extended periods. --Women also say they get plenty of advice on how to raise their kids. The average mom gets parenting advice three times a week, usually from family and friends. --Three in four moms say they feel pressure to make every experience the child has a "teachable moment." Half of mothers say they've needed to become experts in nutrition and first aid. --Women say the worst thing their kid could be known as is the "smelly kid." 43% of them want to avoid that. 20% say their kid being the "potty mouth" would be worse. 17% are worried about having a "whiner" and 13% a "snob." (Marketwatch)
Got a Kid Who Plays Sports? Get Ready to Drive 500 Miles Next Year Supporting Them:
If only skipping your kids' baseball games and swim meets didn't SCAR THEM FOR LIFE. Because it's a hell of a drag to show up for all of them. --According to a new study out of England, a parent with a kid who plays sports drives an average of 491 miles per year taking them to practice and going to games. They also spend an average of $611 on equipment and fees. (3D Car Shows)
Taking the Stairs Isn't Just Better for You Than Taking the Elevator . . . It's Faster Too:
Health advice articles always tell you one of the easiest little changes you can do to get a little healthier is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. And no one listens. But here's a reason to take the stairs that MIGHT sway you. --Taking the stairs is actually FASTER. --A study out of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada found that people who take the stairs in an office building get where they're going an average of 13 seconds faster than people who take the elevator. --Once you're IN an elevator it's faster . . . but the wait time wipes out the advantage. (Consumer Reports)
Check Out the Ten Most Popular New Year's Travel Spots in North America:
There's nothing like ringing in the New Year in the middle of a four-hour line at Space Mountain. --According to Hotwire.com, Disney World is going to be VERY crowded in the next few weeks. On their annual list of the most popular New Year's travel spots in North America, Orlando, Florida easily came in number one. --And Disneyland in California isn't going to be that much better . . . Orange County, California is the eighth most popular spot. Might be better to try EURODISNEY.
--Here's the full top 10 most popular New Year's spots in the U.S. . . .
#1.) Orlando, Florida
#2.) New York, New York
#3.) Las Vegas, Nevada
#4.) Chicago, Illinois
#5.) New Orleans, Louisiana
#6.) Los Angeles, California
#7.) San Francisco, California
#8.) Orange County, California
#9.) San Diego, California
#10.) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(Sacramento Bee)
Half of College Football Fans Say Their Team Can't Win Unless They Cheat . . . and One in Five Would Give Up Sex for a Year to Get a Championship:
The college bowl season starts this weekend. Fans will root for their teams to win . . . and then immediately begin hoping the win doesn't get vacated due to NCAA violations. --Alabama, USC, Ohio State and Miami are just a few of the big-name football programs that have been busted for paying players or recruiting violations in the last few years. --A survey of college football fans by Yahoo Sports found that the only thing worse than your team getting busted . . . is your team losing. --Only 43% of college fans say that they have faith in a team's ability to win consistently without cheating, and 12% said there was NO WAY a team could win without cheating. --One in five fans said they'd give up sex for a YEAR if it meant their team would win the championship, and one in 10 would never consider dating a fan of their team's rival. --Only one in three fans thought that college football players deserved to be paid anything above the college scholarship they get for playing. --Fans were split on the other big issue in the sport: 42% thought college football should have a playoff instead of a whole bunch of bowl games at the end of the season, like they have now. (Marketwatch)
A Politician in Virginia Wants to Offer a Tax Break for Space Burials:
Terry Kilgore is a Republican state representative in Virginia . . . and he has a plan to help fund the state's space industry. --Terry has proposed a bill that will allow state residents to get a tax credit . . . for getting a space burial. --If you're willing to get cremated and have your ashes shot into orbit, Terry's bill will give you an $8,000 tax credit, although you can only get $2,500 of it in any given year. (--Space burials currently cost anywhere between $995 and $13,000.) --The money from an increase in space burials will help fund Virginia's Commercial Space Flight Authority, and help them win the space race with Florida. --Since NASA cut the space shuttle program, Virginia is looking to get them to use the state's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport for space missions instead of Florida's sites. -Virginia is currently in the process of building a new $125 million launch facility at the spaceport. (Huffington Post)
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
A Mom is Arrested for Breaking Into 27 Homes . . . All After Dropping the Kids Off at School:
Every day this fall, 36-year-old Melissa Addison of Chesterfield, Virginia dropped her kids off at school in the morning. --And then, on 27 of those days, she pulled away from the school . . . and went straight to her side job as a BURGLAR. --According to the police in Henrico County, Georgia, between October 26th and the 2nd of this month, Melissa broke into and robbed 27 different houses after she dropped her kids off at school. --They finally caught up with her last Monday after getting a tip. She's been arrested and confessed to all 27 burglaries. (CBS Washington)
RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS
Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
32% of shoppers say they spend more if the store offers free gift wrapping. Free snacks and Christmas music also work. 16% DON'T like when salespeople go overboard on holiday outfits . . . and 41% plan to spend at least half their holiday budget at locally-owned stores. (Full Story)
One in three people will go into debt to pay for Christmas presents this year. (Full Story)
The Coast Guard has had to reduce passenger capacity on watercraft . . . because people are so much heavier now. (Full Story)
Americans spend an average of four hours and 34 minutes a day in front of the TV, which is 10 minutes more than last year. (Full Story)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) The 'Bad Lip-Reading' Version of Rick Perry's New Ad:
The guys who do the Bad Lip-Reading videos went after RICK PERRY'S new campaign ad. In the real ad, Perry complains about gays serving openly in the military, and says he's going to stop Obama's "war on religion." --In the Bad Lip-Reading version, he talks about eating squirrels, wanting to fight a chicken, and pooping in space. And instead of Obama, he goes after SETH ROGEN. (--Search for "Bad Lip Reading: Rick Perry's Strong Ad." WARNING: This video has mild profanity, including the B-word.)
#2.) It's Official . . . 90-Year-Olds Aren't the Target Market for Dubstep:
Last month, a dubstep producer named SKRILLEX was nominated for five Grammy Awards. Dubstep's a kind of electronic music, and he's the first electronic music artist to be included in the Best New Artist category. --If you're not familiar with dubstep, check out the YouTube video of a guy playing it for his 90-year-old GRANDFATHER. As you'd expect, he doesn't much care for it. --First he wants to know what kind of instruments they're playing. Then he asks if it's actually considered "MUSIC." --But he doesn't seem to hate ALL new music. At the end, he starts listening to "Pumped Up Kicks" by FOSTER THE PEOPLE, and he likes the beat. (--Search for "My Grandpa Reacts to Dubstep." He brings in his wife at :47, and listens to "Pumped Up Kicks" at 1:02.)
#3.) Check Out a One-Year-Old Girl Who Can Snowboard Better Than You Can:
If you've never seen it, check out the video on YouTube of a one-year-old girl SNOWBOARDING. The original video is from last year, but there's also one of her doing it at age two. And that one shows her SURFING too. (--Search for "Snowboard Girl 1 Year Old" and "1 Year Old Snowboarder Returns." The second video shows her snowboarding at :36 and surfing at 1:16.)
The Six Sexiest Christmas Songs:
Last week we heard about a survey of the most HATED Christmas songs. Now, we have a list of the SEXIEST Christmas songs. --In other words, they're either filled with naughty metaphors about sex, or the songs themselves are just done in a sexy way.
#1.) "Trim Your Tree" by Jimmy Butler: The metaphors in this one are pretty dirty. Especially since it came out in 1954. --The best line is, quote, "I'm gonna bring along my hatchet. My beautiful Christmas balls. I'll sprinkle my snow upon your tree. And hang the mistletoe on your wall."
#2.) "Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter: It came out in 1968, and Run-D.M.C. sampled it for the track "Christmas in Hollis".
--The name itself sounds dirty, and it's about a guy who goes around the neighborhood, sleeping with women while their husbands are out. --The lyrics include the line, "I make all the little girls happy, while the boys are out to play." And also the line, "I ain't like old Saint Nick. He don't come but once a year . . . I come runnin' with my presents every time you call me, dear."
#3.) "Baby, It's Cold Outside": This one never mentions Christmas or any of the usual stuff, but it's a holiday classic anyway. And if you've ever listened to the lyrics, it's a duet about a guy trying to persuade a young woman to hang out longer --And one of his best moves is . . . giving her more alcohol. At one point, she even asks, "What's in this drink?"
#4.) "Santa Baby": This a perfect example of lyrics that aren't really "dirty". It's the way Eartha Kitt SANG them. She sounds like Marilyn Monroe wishing JFK "Happy Birthday, Mr. President". --Basically, she's willing to get with Santa . . . but not until he buys her enough stuff.
#5.) "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'": A lot of people know the Lynyrd Skynyrd version, but the original by Albert King is great too.
--The lyrics are, quote, "Christmas is for the children. And I want them to be real pleased. But right now, Mama, it's Christmas Eve. Come make your papa happy please."
#6.) "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby": Released by a guy named Amos Milburn in 1949, it includes the line, "I want to slide down your chimney, [and] fill your stocking full of toys." (Ohio.com)
CHARLIE SHEEN'S phone BLEW UP last week when he tried to direct-message his number to JUSTIN BIEBER . . . but ended up posting it where his 5 million followers could see it. --He typed, "310-954-7277 Call me bro. C" . . . and stuff got real. --A source says, quote, "Charlie's phone immediately went into meltdown. It was ringing wildly, and he got 1,800 text messages in minutes. --"Charlie saw the funny side and answered the phone a few times, saying things like 'Ray's Pizza' and 'Winning.' --"But his phone just continued ringing and buzzing and eventually just completely melted down. Charlie was, like, 'I guess I need a new phone.'" (--There's no word WHY Charlie wants Justin to call him.) (--In related but far less interesting news, Charlie's ex-wife BROOKE MUELLER has begun an outpatient rehab program.) (--A source says she'll be under professional supervision 24-7, and at her own request, she'll be tested for cocaine and other illegal substances daily.)
Ryan Gosling Got "The Notebook" Because the Director Didn't Think He Was Handsome or Cool:
RYAN GOSLING has made millions of women swoon in "The Notebook". But the ironic thing is that he only got the part because director Nick Cassavetes didn't think he was that attractive. --Ryan says, quote, "[Nick] called me to meet him at his house. When I got there, he was standing in his back yard, and he looked at me and said, 'I want you to play this role because you're not like the other young actors out there in Hollywood. --"'You're not handsome, you're not cool, you're just a regular guy who looks a bit nuts.'" --Growing up in Canada, Ryan says he was, quote, "a lonely child. I didn't do well in school and TV was my only friend." --So what inspired him to get into showbiz? RAQUEL WELCH. And the Muppets. --He says, quote, "One day, I saw Raquel Welch on 'The Muppet Show'. She was dancing with this big furry spider and I immediately fell in love. She was the first crush I ever had, and I thought, 'How do I get to meet this woman?' --"And then I thought, 'Well, she's on TV, so to meet her I have to get on TV myself.'"
Nikki Blonsky Really Is Working at a Salon . . . And She's Proud Of It:
"Hairspray" star NIKKI BLONSKY really IS working as a cosmetologist at a Long Island hair salon. And she's proud of it. --She Tweeted, quote, "It's true Im workin@ Superstar Salon as a makeup artist & more. Im proud 2 b workin & helpin pay bills BUT ill NEVER loose sight of my dreams." --She added, quote, "Just cause Im part time workin doesnt mean Im gonna give up on my dreams n dont give up on urs. I might book something big soon keep positive."
George Takei Wants "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" Fans to Unite . . . Against "Twilight":
By now, we've all seen the silly YouTube feud between "Star Trek" stud WILLIAM SHATNER and "Star Wars" minx CARRIE FISHER. --Well, deliciously gay "Trek" superstar GEORGE TAKEI wants it to stop. He believes the two sides need to put their differences aside and unite against a common foe: "Twilight". --Why? Because it's, quote, "really, really bad." (--Check out George's video plea.)
Sara Leal Says Her Fling With Ashton Kutcher Nearly Ruined Her Life:
SARA LEAL had relations with ASHTON KUTCHER on his sixth wedding anniversary. But let's forget for a moment what that did to Ashton and DEMI MOORE. Sara would like you to know what it did to HER.--She says, quote, "I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It might have seemed like I was asking for it, but I wasn't." --Sara says that after the story broke she got a lot of disturbing phone calls, lost her job, lost her best friend and was even shunned by her father. And she claims she didn't even know Ashton was married before they started messing around. --And perhaps most importantly, she would like you to know that she is NOT a ho. She says, quote, "He was a good looking guy and it was stupid. --"When people say to me, 'I can't believe you did that,' I want to say back that most 22-year-old girls in my position would have done the same thing."
Does "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" Kure Kancer?
The KARDASHIANS get blamed for a lot of stuff . . . but nobody ever talks about the GOOD things they do. So check this out: --There's a good chance that their flagship reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" KURES KANCER. (???) --That's according to former "Survivor" winner ETHAN ZOHN . . . who's battling lymphoma for a second time. --Ethan's girlfriend . . . fellow "Survivor" winner JENNA MORASCA . . . says, quote, "Whenever he's sick or having a down day we use that to keep up with our Kardashians. --And Ethan adds, quote, "'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' is curing cancer. You can quote me on that. Tell KIM and KHLOE and KOURTNEY and SCOTT [DISICK]. Scott's my favorite. --"He is just honest and he tells it like it is. He says stuff that everyone really wants to say but they don't have the balls to say it." --As for his health, Ethan says, quote, "Right now, I'm feeling great. I'm on a new drug called SGN-35, a more targeted therapy. It only targets the bad cancer cells inside my body. I'm keeping a positive attitude."
Khloe Says She's Looking Forward to the Move to Dallas:
KHLOE KARDASHIAN tells E! News she's looking forward to the move to Dallas so LAMAR ODOM can play for the Mavericks. She says, quote, "This was an unexpected change, but I'm looking forward to the move. --"I've heard nothing but great things about Dallas and the Mavs. Can't wait to join my hubby there and get to know the city and all the wonderful people there."
Kobe Bryant Isn't Happy that Lamar Odom Was Traded . . . And He Says It Wasn't Because of the Kardashians:
KOBE BRYANT isn't happy that the Lakers got rid of LAMAR ODOM. He says, quote, "I don't like it . . . to be honest with you, I don't like ." --Kobe is also denying the chatter going around that the Lakers dumped him because his involvement with the KARDASHIANS was a distraction. --He says, quote, "You're talking about the Sixth Man of the Year last year . . . he played lights out. I don't understand the criticism of reality shows and this, that and the other." --He added, quote, "I don't get it. I don't understand that. He had his best season last season, clearly it wasn't a distraction, and he played his ass off. --"I don't get where that comes from."
Point-Counterpoint: Tim Tebow's Pastor Says God is Helping Him Win Games . . . But the Church of Satan Doesn't Agree:
Coming into this season, NOBODY gave quarterback TIM TEBOW a chance to make it in the NFL. He was mocked not only for his supposedly deficient skills, but also for his very open devotion to Jesus. (--Here's an example of the Tebow HATE that's out there: Some dude posted a photo gallery featuring 45 pictures of Tebow being TACKLED. Check it out here.) --Tebow got bumped up to starting QB for the Denver Broncos earlier this season, when the team was 1 and 4. Now they're 8 and 5, and they've won their last SIX games. --Some of those victories have been come-from-behind affairs that have almost seemed . . . yeah, I'm gonna say it . . . MIRACULOUS. --And people are actually starting to ask the question: Is Tim Tebow being FUELED BY A HIGHER POWER? --Yes he is, according to one of Tebow's pastors, Wayne Hanson, from the Summit Church in Castle Rock, Colorado --He says, quote, "It's not luck. Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor. God has blessed his hard work." --Would Tebow be winning like this if he wasn't such a strong believer? Hanson says, quote, "No, of course not." --Assuming that God is helping Tebow and "awarding" him implies that God is HINDERING and PUNISHING other athletes and teams. Would God do such a thing? --Obviously, not everyone believes that. Like Peter H. Gilmore . . . the high priest of the CHURCH OF SATAN. (???) He doesn't believe God has anything to do with Tebow's success. --He says, quote, "Satanists are atheists, and we would consider any triumph to rely on a combination of skill and luck . . . most certainly not in any form of supernatural intervention from either Heaven or Hell." --However . . . he does believe that Tebow's FAITH is a contributing factor. --He says, quote, "Those who have a winning attitude tend to do better, and whatever fuels such team spirit, be it religious fervor or simply an overwhelming desire to succeed, is the real source for success."
And Now . . . A Summary of the Most Popular Stuff on Facebook:
Facebook has compiled lists of the most popular pages and topics over the past year.
--Here's a quick rundown of the year's list-toppers:
--MEGAN FOX had the fastest-growing celebrity web page this year.
--"Harry Potter" had the fastest-growing movie page . . . and "House" topped the list in TV.
--And Dr. House, played by HUGH LAURIE, had the fastest-growing page among FICTIONAL CHARACTERS.
--RIHANNA topped musicians . . . while her single "We Found Love" was the most listened-to song on Facebook.
(--You can see the complete lists in all these categories . . . as well as several other categories including Sports, News, Status Trends and more . . . here.)
There's an "Austin Powers" Musical in the Works:
MIKE MYERS isn't just working on "Austin Powers 4". He's also developing an "Austin Powers" STAGE MUSICAL. --It'll be a PREQUEL to the movies, focusing on how Austin first obtained his MOJO in the 1960s. Mike WON'T star in it. --It'll be set to the music of BURT BACHARACH . . . who actually had a cameo in all three "Austin Powers" flicks . . . and ELVIS COSTELLO . . . who was in the second one.
Check Out the Trailer for "Men in Black 3":
A new trailer for "Men in Black 3" has hit the web. In this one, WILL SMITH goes back in time and hooks up with a younger version of TOMMY LEE JONES' character . . . played by JOSH BROLIN. --And from what little they show of Brolin's performance, it looks like he has it NAILED. (--The movie comes out next Memorial Day. Check out the trailer here. Brolin shows up for three seconds at 1:46.)
"Hot in Cleveland" Will Host Another "Mary Tyler Moore Show" Reunion:
Back in January, MARY TYLER MOORE appeared on BETTY WHITE'S TV Land sitcom "Hot in Cleveland". And now, the show will reunite Betty with another one of her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-stars.--ED ASNER will guest star on an episode scheduled to air sometime next summer. He's playing the president of a country club that the ladies try to get into . . . and it's discovered that Betty's character has a "long history" with Ed's character. --When Mary appeared on "Hot in Cleveland", it was the first time she'd done something with Betty since the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" series finale in 1977. --But Betty and Ed have reunited several times since then. They were both in the MORGAN FREEMAN movie "Hard Rain" in 1998 . . . and they were both in a few episodes of "The Practice" in 2004. --They also both voiced characters in the same episode of "The Wild Thornberrys" in 2000 . . . and in the 1996 TV movie "The Story of Santa Claus".
Lisa Rinna Is Returning to "Days of Our Lives":
LISA RINNA is coming back to "Days of Our Lives", which is one of the few soaps that's still around. She's returning to her role as Billie Reed, who she's played for more than 150 episodes. She last appeared on the show in 2005. --Lisa will be a full-time cast member. Her first episode back will air on March 8th.
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's Holiday TV Appearances:
If your household is big into JUSTIN BIEBER and SELENA GOMEZ . . . here's something to tack on your refrigerator: It's a rundown of where you'll see them on TV this holiday season. --For starters, they'll be appearing on competing New Year's Eve specials. Selena is performing on MTV's annual countdown, which will be co-hosted by DEMI LOVATO and "Teen Wolf" star TYLER POSEY. Justin is performing on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest", which airs on ABC. --But before that you can catch Justin performing "Mistletoe" and "Away in a Manger" on the annual "Christmas in Washington" special. It taped on Sunday, and will air on TNT this Friday evening. --PRESIDENT OBAMA was there . . . along with MICHELLE OBAMA and their daughters Sasha and Malia. (--The President reportedly "grooved" to Justin's performance. Here's a picture of Justin with the President.) (EOnline) (--The special will also include performances by CEE LO GREEN, JENNIFER HUDSON and THE BAND PERRY. CONAN O'BRIEN is the host.) --Justin is also taping a Canadian holiday special this week. It'll air December 22nd on Canada's MuchMusic and CTV channels. (--Of course, Justin was born in Ontario, Canada.) --It's a half-hour concert special called "Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays". Proceeds will be donated to Justin's Believe charity.
Russell Simmons Has Bought Up "All-American Muslim" Ad Time to Protest Lowe's:
You can count RUSSELL SIMMONS among the mass of people who are upset with Lowe's for pulling its ads from TLC's "All-American Muslim" . . . seemingly because of its POSITIVE portrayal of Muslims. (--Russell is the hip-hop businessman who co-founded Def Jam.) --Russell is protesting Lowe's by buying up the ad time that the store vacated for the upcoming episode of "All-American Muslim". He's promoting his "Rush" Visa card. --Russell Tweeted, quote, "Just purchased remaining spots for #AllAmericanMuslim for next week. The show is now sold out! Keep your money @Lowes, and we'll keep ours." -He's also promoting a petition, which asks Lowe's to, quote, "stand up against the bigots of the anti-Islam / Islamophobia industry, whose most concerning complaint is that the show is intent on humanizing American Muslims . . . as though humanization were not an American value." --As of late last night, the petition had 18,500 signatures. (--The petition is up at SignOn.org.)
Tuesday TV Reminders:
--"Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. Eastern on PBS. David Archuleta and Michael York perform with the choir.
--"William & Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on NBC. Natalie Morales hosts this look at the first six months of marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
--"The Biggest Loser" [12th Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC. Train performs "Brand New Book".
--"CMT Artists of the Year 2011" . . . 9:00 to 10:30 P.M. on CMT. Rob Lowe hosts this musical tribute to Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift.
--"Dirty Jobs" [8th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Discovery.
--"Knights of Mayhem" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on NGC.
--"Chopped" [9th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Food Network.
VIDEO GAME QUICK HITS
New DLC for "Battlefield 3", "GoW3", and "AC: Revelations" . . . Plus "GTA3" Will Hit Your Mobile Device This Thursday:
--The deadline to become a "Call of Duty: Elite" founder ends today. The main benefit is you get early access to new features and it covers the cost of all the "Modern Warfare 3" maps that will be released for the next year. It will set you back another $50, but you can compare the features between the free and premium memberships here.
--There aren't any new games hitting stores this week, but you will have the option to pick up some new downloadable content on your console. Here's what's out . . .
. . . The "Battlefield 3" expansion pack "Back to Karkland". It comes with four new maps, 10 new weapons, and three new vehicles. PS3 users got early access last week, but it's just hitting the Xbox today. "Back to Karkland" is free to anyone who preordered the game but will cost $14.99 (1200 MS points) to everyone else.
. . . The "Gears of War 3" expansion pack, "RAAM's Shadow" for the Xbox 360. This content is a prequel to the first game. Zeta Squad features Lt. Minh Young Kim from "Gears 1", Tai Kaliso from "Gears 2", Michael Barrick from the "Gears" comics, and a new chick. You also get to play as the villain RAAM for one of the levels. (Video)
. . . "Assassin's Creed: Revelations" is releasing its Ancestors Character Pack this week for 320 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live, which is $3.99 on Playstation. It has four new multiplayer characters: the Privateer, Corsair, Brigand and Gladiator. (Photo)
By the way, expansion packs for "Assassin's Creed 2" and "Brotherhood" went on sale on Xbox Live last week. The "Battle of Forli" is down to 160 MS points, "Bonfire of the Vanities" is 280 MS points, and "The Da Vinci Disappearance" sells for 400 MS points.
--"Grand Theft Auto 3" will be available on your iPhone and your Android as a 10th Anniversary Edition starting this Thursday, December 15th. The app sells for $4.99. You'll find a list of all mobile devices that it works on here.
--The game streaming service OnLive has updated their iOS and Android tablet app so you can play major releases like "L.A. Noire", and "Batman: Arkham City" anywhere you can connect to 3G, 4G, or wireless internet. (Full Story)
The New "Star Wars" Game Is Out Next Week . . . Here's What You Need to Know:
"Star Wars: The Old Republic" is in stores December 20th. If you're not familiar with it, this will be a massive multiplayer game for the PC. It's also a subscription based service just like "World of Warcraft", but 30 days of gameplay comes with the disc.
--You can preorder it now at www.swtor.com and that's supposed to get you into the game five days before everyone else. You'll find a chart that shows the differences between the Standard Edition and the Deluxe Edition here.
--The action takes place several hundred years after the events of the "Knights of the Old Republic" games, but it's still 3,000 years before the rise of Darth Vader. The Sith have reclaimed their homeworld, attacked Alderaan, and destroyed the Jedi Temple.
(--As a dedicated fan boy, you'll want to read more details, and spend 16-minutes watching all three trailers here. The first video is the Sith return to Korriban, the second is the Republic victory on Alderaan, and the last clip is the epic battle for the Jedi temple on Coruscant.)
--Even though it's designed as a multiplayer game, you can still play much of the storyline by yourself without having to join any of the online guilds. Every player gets their own ship and you also have a companion character to help you on your missions.
--The companion you get depends on whether you fight for the Light Side or the Dark Side, and which of the four classes you choose.
--If you're evil, the Sith have two types of Force users . . . plus the Bounty Hunter and the Imperial Agent classes. And if you're fighting for The Republic, then you can be two types of Jedi, or use a blaster as either a Trooper or a Han Solo-type smuggler.
This Week's Video Releases - December 13th:
--"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - James Franco's new Alzheimer's drug has the side effect of boosting intelligence in chimps. Andy Serkis plays Caesar, the chimp who starts an ape revolution, using the same motion-capture technology he used to play King Kong, and Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" movies.
"Slumdog Millionaire" minx Freida Pinto plays Franco's girlfriend, and John Lithgow is his father. And although you might not recognize him at first, that's Tom Felton . . . a.k.a. Draco Malfoy from "Harry Potter" . . . as the A-hole taunting Caesar.
--"Fright Night" - The remake of the 1985 horror classic about a teenager who's convinced that his creepy new neighbor is a vampire. Colin Farrell is the vampire, and the kid is played by Anton Yelchin, who you know as Chekov in the new "Star Trek".
--"Kung Fu Panda 2" - Gary Oldman is the new villain . . . a peacock who's figured out how to defeat kung fu, and wants to conquer all of China. The only thing standing in his way is Po, the chubby panda played by Jack Black.
Po gets help from the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Mantis, and Crane . . . a.k.a. Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, and David Cross. And Dustin Hoffman is back as their mentor Shifu.
--"Spin City: The Complete Sixth Season" . . . a four-disc DVD set. That was a Charlie Sheen season, NOT a Michael J. Fox season.
--"Family Guy: Volume 9" . . . a three-disc DVD set.
--"Switched at Birth: Volume One" . . . a two-disc DVD set.
--"Swamp People: Season 2" . . . a four-disc set of the History Channel series.
--"Sledge Hammer!: The Complete Series" . . . on five-discs. It ran two seasons.
Upcoming Video Releases - December 20th:
--In stores December 20th . . . "Colombiana" - Zoe Saldana plays an assassin looking for revenge on the mobster who ordered a hit on her parents when she was a little girl.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie"!!! The cast performs two dozen songs in concert, including their first season anthem "Don't Stop Believin'". Amy Winehouse even gets a small tribute as Santana covers the song "Valerie".
--In stores December 20th . . . "Dolphin Tale" - A boy rescues a dolphin caught in a trap, then helps it learn to swim with a prosthetic tail. Ashley Judd plays his mom, Harry Connick Jr. runs the aquarium hospital, and Morgan Freeman is the doctor who figures out how to make the prosthetic tail. (--It's based on a true story.)
--In stores December 20th . . . "Straw Dogs" - James Marsden is pushed to his limit after he moves to the South with his hot wife. She's played by Kate Bosworth, and Alexander Skarsgard from "True Blood" plays her violent ex-boyfriend.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Warrior" - The MMA movie about two brothers end up fighting against each other for the championship. Nick Nolte plays their dad, and Tom Hardy, a.k.a. Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises", plays one of the brothers.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Margin Call" - Zachary Quinto is an entry-level analyst who discovers a financial screw-up at a major investment bank in 2008, during the early stages of the financial crisis. The rest of all-star cast includes Kevin Spacey, Simon Baker, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, and Demi Moore.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Blackthorn" - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid escaped their standoff with the Bolivian army . . . and Butch has been living in South America under the name James Blackthorn. Sam Shepherd is Butch Cassidy and Eduardo Noriega is a guy who drags him into one last adventure.
--In stores December 20th . . . "Stay Cool" - A comedy about an author who returns to high school to give the commencement speech. It stars a guy named Mark Polish. Winona Ryder is his old crush, Hilary Duff plays a senior who throws herself at him, and the rest of the cast includes Jon Cryer, Sean Astin and "Lost's" Josh Holloway.
--In stores December 20th . . . "One Tree Hill: The Complete 8th Season".
--In stores December 20th . . . "Futurama: Volume 6" . . . a two-disc set.
Upcoming Video Releases - December 27th:
--In stores December 27th . . . "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" - Jason Sudeikis and his friends want to throw one last Labor Day party at his dad's beach house before he sells it, and decide they should "go out with a bang" by making it an orgy. (Red Band)
--In stores December 27th . . . "Apollo 18" - A sci-fi horror film about a secret space mission, where two American astronauts were sent back to the moon to find out what happened to some missing cosmonauts.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Final Destination 5" - In this one, the premonition that temporarily saves everyone's lives is the collapse of a bridge. You know the rest.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Inside Out" - Triple H plays an ex-con trying to keep his best friend from getting whacked by a local mob boss. Michael Rapaport is his friend and Bruce Dern is the mobster.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Shameless: The Complete First Season" . . . a 3-disc set of the Showtime series that blessed us with Emmy Rossum's breasts.
--In stores December 27th . . . "The Borgias: The First Season" . . . a 3-disc set of the Showtime series that stars Jeremy Irons as the corrupt Pope, Rodrigo Borgia.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Jersey Shore Uncensored: Season Four" . . . a four-disc set of the most current season, that the cast filmed in Italy.
--In stores December 27th . . . "Archer: Season 2" . . . a two-disc DVD set.
NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
This Week's CD Releases:
--"Anthem Inc.", Naughty by Nature . . . Their seventh album reunites all three original members, and also features a 20th anniversary version of their hit "O.P.P.". Their guests include Queen Latifah, Kate Nauta, Jaheim, and Joe.
--"Mac & Devin Go to High School", Snoop & Wiz Khalifa . . . Their guests include Bruno Mars, white rapper Mike Posner and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia.
--The scores to "Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" . . . "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows" . . . "We Bought a Zoo" . . . and "The Adventures of Tintin".
Music Coming Out Next Week:
--In stores December 20th . . . "The Dreamer, The Believer", Common . . . his guests include Nas and John Legend, plus poet Maya Angelou on "The Dreamer".
--In stores December 20th . . . "TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition", Young Jeezy
Tony Bennett's Drawing of a Naked Lady Gaga Is Up for Auction:
On her Thanksgiving special, LADY GAGA talked about how TONY BENNETT sketched her . . . while she was completely nude, "Titanic"-style . . . for "Vanity Fair". (--It was photographer Annie Leibovitz's idea.) --Lady Gaga said, quote, "I walked in and said, 'Well Tony, here we are' . . . and I dropped my robe and I got into position. I felt shy and thought, 'It's Tony Bennett, why am I naked?'" --Well, now you can own that drawing . . . assuming you have the kind of cash to throw at something like this. --The drawing is for sale on eBay's new celebrity page. (--Here's a direct link.) --The auction opened yesterday, and will close next Monday. Proceeds will go to Tony's Exploring the Arts charity and Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. --A reserve price has been set at $5,000 . . . as of late last night, there were NO BIDS for that amount or more. --Lady Gaga is lying down naked in the drawing, but her nether region is obscured in shadow and her arm is covering most of her breast. (--By the way, Tony sure gave her a BEAST-LIKE arm.) --Tony signed the drawing with his REAL last name: "BENEDETTO".
Barry Manilow Is Having Hip Surgery:
BARRY MANILOW has taken his hip into the shop for some routine repairs. His publicist says he was hospitalized yesterday to undergo hip surgery for Bursitis. The doctors will remove fluid, and repair some torn muscles. --Barry's recovery is expected to take about six weeks. He has a few shows in Chicago booked for early February, and he plans to be good to go by then. --Barry says, quote, "That's what you get when you jump around to 'Copacabana' for 30 years! Wish me luck!"
Sublime with Rome Has Lost Their Drummer:
SUBLIME is on its last legs . . . specifically, bassist ERIC WILSON'S legs. --Just before a show over the weekend, original drummer BUD GAUGH quit the band. There may have been some drama, but Bud just said, quote, "It's a long story . . . I'm going to be a dad here again real soon, and I just wanna be there for my family." --This leaves Eric as the LAST original member. Back in 1996, singer BRADLEY NOWELL died of a heroin overdose. In 2009, Sublime reformed as SUBLIME WITH ROME . . . because their new singer was a guy named Rome. --Sublime with Rome has replaced Bud with a drummer named Josh Freese. (--So, do they re-name the band SUBLIME WITH ROME WITHOUT BUD GAUGH PLUS JOSH FREESE . . . or just keep it Sublime with Rome?)
Deep Thoughts on Lindsay Lohan's "Playboy" Shoot, Courtesy of 50 Cent:
Even though pictures from LINDSAY LOHAN'S "Playboy" shoot leaked all over the Internet this weekend, 50 CENT says he hasn't seen them yet. But he WILL check them out when he gets around to it. --He says, quote, "I always wondered what Lindsay's [private parts] looked like. Ever thought about it? I'll check it out and see what happens." (???) --But even though 50 is interested, he can't understand why "Playboy" would pay Lindsay $1 MILLION for the spread. And he wonders if Lindsay feels any LESS like a stripper because she got that much. --He says, quote, "[It's] the same thing strippers do almost every day for way less. If they give you a million dollars, does that change the status of what you've done? --"If I pay a hundred dollars . . . is it the same thing as paying a million dollars when you're a movie star or celebrity? [Is it] the same transaction? Or is it socially different? Does it register different because of how much?" (--It's kind of strange for 50 to be bringing this up, but he may have a point.)
Snoop Dogg Is Going to Be a Contestant on "The Price Is Right":
Next month, we're going to find out if SNOOP DOGG has a handle on how much normal people's kitchen appliances cost . . . because he's going to be a contestant on "The Price Is Right". --Snoop is participating in the show's first ever celebrity week. He'll compete against regular, non-celebrity contestants on Monday, January 2nd. (--The celebrity episodes have already been filmed.) --JENNY MCCARTHY will take on the contestants on Tuesday . . . NEIL PATRICK HARRIS will be the celebrity on Wednesday. Thursday will feature former "American Idol" star CHRIS DAUGHTRY, and HEIDI KLUM will be Friday's star. --Naturally, the celebrities will be playing for charities. Snoop's winnings will go to his Youth Football League. --By the way, it sounds like Snoop did pretty well. Producer Mike Richards says, quote, "It was a lot of fun to watch these celebrities play our iconic games. Each one had their own unique strategy to win. --"Let's just say Snoop knows more about the price of grocery items than you might think!"
TUESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
TMZ got a recording of LINDSAY LOHAN freaking out when she realized she'd lost her purse over the weekend. (Audio)
JESSICA SIMPSON has reportedly signed a $3 million deal to start Weight Watchers after she has her baby. (Full Story)
Now, BRUTUS "THE BARBER" BEEFCAKE is going to sue LINDA HOGAN for saying he had gay sex with HULK. (Full Story)
PAULA DEEN, WOODY ALLEN and SIGMUND FREUD all suffer . . . or, in Freud's case, suffered . . . from agoraphobia, which is a fear of public spaces. So did a lot of other celebrities. (Photo Gallery)
The estate of the late RUE MCCLANAHAN . . . Blanche from "Golden Girls" . . . is auctioning off her belongings to fans, as she requested. (Full Story)
JIM BOB and MICHELLE DUGGAR have decided to name the baby that Michelle miscarried last week. They named her Jubilee Shalom Duggar, and they'll hold a memorial service for her tomorrow. (Full Story)
KATE GOSSELIN says Christmas makes her "hiney" sore . . . because she spends more than four hours on the floor while her kids open their presents. She also says they generate so much trash on Christmas that she leaves cookies by her garbage cans for, quote, "our ever kind and helpful trash men." (Full Story)
SARAH PALIN is trying to sell networks on a reality show about her husband's snowmobile adventures. Not surprisingly, no networks are interested in it. (Full Story)
Original "Survivor" winner RICHARD HATCH is out of prison again. (Full Story)
RANDOM STUFF
A 17-Year-Old Girl Has Invented a Nanoparticle That Kills Cancer:
(--Here's another example of kids doing AMAZING things in medicine and technology . . .) This girl's not so great. Sure, she's made a major scientific breakthrough at age 17 . . . --17-year-old Angela Zhang is a high school student in Cupertino, California. And she just won the $100,000 grand prize in a math, science, and technology competition . . . for inventing a nanoparticle that kills cancer cells. --That's right. She's not even able to vote, buy cigarettes, or go to a strip club . . . but she's already beating cancer. --Angela says she designed the particle to deliver a drug directly to cancerous cells and not affect the healthy cells around them. Current drugs don't do that. And, her particle can release extra cancer-fighting drugs when it's activated by a laser. --Scientists called Angela's new technique, quote, "a Swiss Army Knife of cancer treatment" because it has so many potential uses. --Unfortunately, like all cancer treatments, it'll take years or even DECADES of testing before it's ready to be used on patients. --Angela has worked more than 1,000 hours on the project since 2009. (Wall Street Journal)
Men Think Christmas Would Be Better If They Were In Charge . . . Featuring Less Stress, No In-Laws, and Steak for Dinner:
Women are in charge of Christmas. That's a fact. A survey last week found that 0% of couples say the man takes the lead for the holidays. But deep down, men secretly think they could do it better. --A new survey found that more than one-third of men think Christmas would be MUCH better if they ran the show. Here's what men say they would change . . .
#1.) People would be expected to spend less on gifts.
#2.) Family Christmas cards would become rare . . . more than half would stop sending them.
#3.) There would be NO visits from the in-laws.
#4.) They'd do whatever it took to make the holiday season LESS STRESSFUL.
#5.) And finally, instead of traditional Christmas dinner, they'd serve STEAK and FRENCH FRIES.
(Daily Mail)
Three Out of Four Parents Say Their Kids Act Spoiled During Christmas:
So you're spending a LOT of money on gifts for your kids this year. You might even go to the mall and FIGHT other parents to get those gifts. All to see your kids' faces on Christmas morning . . . when they don't even remember to say "Thank you." --According to a new survey by "Parenting" magazine, the overwhelming majority of parents say their kids act SPOILED during Christmas . . . and they kinda realize it's their fault. Check out these numbers . . .
--76% of parents say their kids act spoiled and are less grateful than they should be during the holidays.
--59% of parents say that their kids are more spoiled than they were as kids. Only 11% say they're less spoiled.
--The average parent will spend $271 per child on gifts this year, and 30% will spend over $300. 74% are spending the same or more than last year.
--76% of parents say they feel GUILTY about saying "no" to something on their child's wish list, and 18% try to give their kids EVERYTHING they ask for.
--44% of parents will make multiple trips to the same store to find a hot toy, and 23% will go to multiple stores if they're having trouble finding it. 0.5% say they will, in fact, wrestle the gift out of another parent's hands. (Parenting)
Buying Christmas Gifts for Yourself Has Hit an All-Time High:
We're in the middle of the most self-centered era in American history, so this makes complete sense. When we're out Christmas shopping, we're making SURE not to forget the most important person in our lives . . . OURSELVES. --According to "Time" magazine, self-gifting has hit an ALL-TIME HIGH this Christmas. --In 2009, 52% of people bought themselves a Christmas gift. Last year it jumped to 59%. And this year, it's made the jump to 60%. --The average person will give themselves $130.43 in gifts, up from $112.20 last year. (Time)
Women Say Motherhood Is Harder Than It Was 20 Years Ago . . . but Think They Do It Better Than Their Mothers:
Ivory Soap sponsored a survey about motherhood and found that moms think their job is harder now . . . but that they're better at it than THEIR mother. --More than 80% of American moms said that being a mother is more complicated today than it was 20 years ago. --Despite that, 90% of mothers said that they do a BETTER job of balancing all the challenges of motherhood than their mothers did. --That doesn't mean that today's moms don't need a break. 30% say the most complicated part of motherhood is finding "me time." Two in three women say they find it by hiding in the bathroom for extended periods. --Women also say they get plenty of advice on how to raise their kids. The average mom gets parenting advice three times a week, usually from family and friends. --Three in four moms say they feel pressure to make every experience the child has a "teachable moment." Half of mothers say they've needed to become experts in nutrition and first aid. --Women say the worst thing their kid could be known as is the "smelly kid." 43% of them want to avoid that. 20% say their kid being the "potty mouth" would be worse. 17% are worried about having a "whiner" and 13% a "snob." (Marketwatch)
Got a Kid Who Plays Sports? Get Ready to Drive 500 Miles Next Year Supporting Them:
If only skipping your kids' baseball games and swim meets didn't SCAR THEM FOR LIFE. Because it's a hell of a drag to show up for all of them. --According to a new study out of England, a parent with a kid who plays sports drives an average of 491 miles per year taking them to practice and going to games. They also spend an average of $611 on equipment and fees. (3D Car Shows)
Taking the Stairs Isn't Just Better for You Than Taking the Elevator . . . It's Faster Too:
Health advice articles always tell you one of the easiest little changes you can do to get a little healthier is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. And no one listens. But here's a reason to take the stairs that MIGHT sway you. --Taking the stairs is actually FASTER. --A study out of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada found that people who take the stairs in an office building get where they're going an average of 13 seconds faster than people who take the elevator. --Once you're IN an elevator it's faster . . . but the wait time wipes out the advantage. (Consumer Reports)
Check Out the Ten Most Popular New Year's Travel Spots in North America:
There's nothing like ringing in the New Year in the middle of a four-hour line at Space Mountain. --According to Hotwire.com, Disney World is going to be VERY crowded in the next few weeks. On their annual list of the most popular New Year's travel spots in North America, Orlando, Florida easily came in number one. --And Disneyland in California isn't going to be that much better . . . Orange County, California is the eighth most popular spot. Might be better to try EURODISNEY.
--Here's the full top 10 most popular New Year's spots in the U.S. . . .
#1.) Orlando, Florida
#2.) New York, New York
#3.) Las Vegas, Nevada
#4.) Chicago, Illinois
#5.) New Orleans, Louisiana
#6.) Los Angeles, California
#7.) San Francisco, California
#8.) Orange County, California
#9.) San Diego, California
#10.) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(Sacramento Bee)
Half of College Football Fans Say Their Team Can't Win Unless They Cheat . . . and One in Five Would Give Up Sex for a Year to Get a Championship:
The college bowl season starts this weekend. Fans will root for their teams to win . . . and then immediately begin hoping the win doesn't get vacated due to NCAA violations. --Alabama, USC, Ohio State and Miami are just a few of the big-name football programs that have been busted for paying players or recruiting violations in the last few years. --A survey of college football fans by Yahoo Sports found that the only thing worse than your team getting busted . . . is your team losing. --Only 43% of college fans say that they have faith in a team's ability to win consistently without cheating, and 12% said there was NO WAY a team could win without cheating. --One in five fans said they'd give up sex for a YEAR if it meant their team would win the championship, and one in 10 would never consider dating a fan of their team's rival. --Only one in three fans thought that college football players deserved to be paid anything above the college scholarship they get for playing. --Fans were split on the other big issue in the sport: 42% thought college football should have a playoff instead of a whole bunch of bowl games at the end of the season, like they have now. (Marketwatch)
A Politician in Virginia Wants to Offer a Tax Break for Space Burials:
Terry Kilgore is a Republican state representative in Virginia . . . and he has a plan to help fund the state's space industry. --Terry has proposed a bill that will allow state residents to get a tax credit . . . for getting a space burial. --If you're willing to get cremated and have your ashes shot into orbit, Terry's bill will give you an $8,000 tax credit, although you can only get $2,500 of it in any given year. (--Space burials currently cost anywhere between $995 and $13,000.) --The money from an increase in space burials will help fund Virginia's Commercial Space Flight Authority, and help them win the space race with Florida. --Since NASA cut the space shuttle program, Virginia is looking to get them to use the state's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport for space missions instead of Florida's sites. -Virginia is currently in the process of building a new $125 million launch facility at the spaceport. (Huffington Post)
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
A Mom is Arrested for Breaking Into 27 Homes . . . All After Dropping the Kids Off at School:
Every day this fall, 36-year-old Melissa Addison of Chesterfield, Virginia dropped her kids off at school in the morning. --And then, on 27 of those days, she pulled away from the school . . . and went straight to her side job as a BURGLAR. --According to the police in Henrico County, Georgia, between October 26th and the 2nd of this month, Melissa broke into and robbed 27 different houses after she dropped her kids off at school. --They finally caught up with her last Monday after getting a tip. She's been arrested and confessed to all 27 burglaries. (CBS Washington)
RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS
Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
32% of shoppers say they spend more if the store offers free gift wrapping. Free snacks and Christmas music also work. 16% DON'T like when salespeople go overboard on holiday outfits . . . and 41% plan to spend at least half their holiday budget at locally-owned stores. (Full Story)
One in three people will go into debt to pay for Christmas presents this year. (Full Story)
The Coast Guard has had to reduce passenger capacity on watercraft . . . because people are so much heavier now. (Full Story)
Americans spend an average of four hours and 34 minutes a day in front of the TV, which is 10 minutes more than last year. (Full Story)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) The 'Bad Lip-Reading' Version of Rick Perry's New Ad:
The guys who do the Bad Lip-Reading videos went after RICK PERRY'S new campaign ad. In the real ad, Perry complains about gays serving openly in the military, and says he's going to stop Obama's "war on religion." --In the Bad Lip-Reading version, he talks about eating squirrels, wanting to fight a chicken, and pooping in space. And instead of Obama, he goes after SETH ROGEN. (--Search for "Bad Lip Reading: Rick Perry's Strong Ad." WARNING: This video has mild profanity, including the B-word.)
#2.) It's Official . . . 90-Year-Olds Aren't the Target Market for Dubstep:
Last month, a dubstep producer named SKRILLEX was nominated for five Grammy Awards. Dubstep's a kind of electronic music, and he's the first electronic music artist to be included in the Best New Artist category. --If you're not familiar with dubstep, check out the YouTube video of a guy playing it for his 90-year-old GRANDFATHER. As you'd expect, he doesn't much care for it. --First he wants to know what kind of instruments they're playing. Then he asks if it's actually considered "MUSIC." --But he doesn't seem to hate ALL new music. At the end, he starts listening to "Pumped Up Kicks" by FOSTER THE PEOPLE, and he likes the beat. (--Search for "My Grandpa Reacts to Dubstep." He brings in his wife at :47, and listens to "Pumped Up Kicks" at 1:02.)
#3.) Check Out a One-Year-Old Girl Who Can Snowboard Better Than You Can:
If you've never seen it, check out the video on YouTube of a one-year-old girl SNOWBOARDING. The original video is from last year, but there's also one of her doing it at age two. And that one shows her SURFING too. (--Search for "Snowboard Girl 1 Year Old" and "1 Year Old Snowboarder Returns." The second video shows her snowboarding at :36 and surfing at 1:16.)
The Six Sexiest Christmas Songs:
Last week we heard about a survey of the most HATED Christmas songs. Now, we have a list of the SEXIEST Christmas songs. --In other words, they're either filled with naughty metaphors about sex, or the songs themselves are just done in a sexy way.
#1.) "Trim Your Tree" by Jimmy Butler: The metaphors in this one are pretty dirty. Especially since it came out in 1954. --The best line is, quote, "I'm gonna bring along my hatchet. My beautiful Christmas balls. I'll sprinkle my snow upon your tree. And hang the mistletoe on your wall."
#2.) "Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter: It came out in 1968, and Run-D.M.C. sampled it for the track "Christmas in Hollis".
--The name itself sounds dirty, and it's about a guy who goes around the neighborhood, sleeping with women while their husbands are out. --The lyrics include the line, "I make all the little girls happy, while the boys are out to play." And also the line, "I ain't like old Saint Nick. He don't come but once a year . . . I come runnin' with my presents every time you call me, dear."
#3.) "Baby, It's Cold Outside": This one never mentions Christmas or any of the usual stuff, but it's a holiday classic anyway. And if you've ever listened to the lyrics, it's a duet about a guy trying to persuade a young woman to hang out longer --And one of his best moves is . . . giving her more alcohol. At one point, she even asks, "What's in this drink?"
#4.) "Santa Baby": This a perfect example of lyrics that aren't really "dirty". It's the way Eartha Kitt SANG them. She sounds like Marilyn Monroe wishing JFK "Happy Birthday, Mr. President". --Basically, she's willing to get with Santa . . . but not until he buys her enough stuff.
#5.) "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'": A lot of people know the Lynyrd Skynyrd version, but the original by Albert King is great too.
--The lyrics are, quote, "Christmas is for the children. And I want them to be real pleased. But right now, Mama, it's Christmas Eve. Come make your papa happy please."
#6.) "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby": Released by a guy named Amos Milburn in 1949, it includes the line, "I want to slide down your chimney, [and] fill your stocking full of toys." (Ohio.com)
posted by Nazzy @ 5:54 AM
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