HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (01-18-12)

Chef Paula Deen Has Confirmed That She's a Type 2 Diabetic:

As expected, celebrity chef and Food Network star PAULA DEEN admitted yesterday that she has Type 2 Diabetes . . . and that she has known about it for THREE YEARS. --And this is a pretty big deal because Paula's recipes tend to be TERRIBLE for you. --So for three years, she's been pushing unhealthy food on you . . . and getting rich in the process . . . while hiding the fact that her cooking has basically given her diabetes. ALLEGEDLY. --The obvious assumption is that she kept the secret because it was something that could potentially bring down her empire. But that's not how she's spinning it. --On the "Today" show yesterday she said she waited because, quote, "I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward and I've always been one to think I bring hope." --She added, quote, "I had to figure things out in my own head . . . talk to my doctor . . . I had nothing to give to my fellow friends out there." --She also defended her cooking, and said it's only PART of the problem . . . quote, "On my show I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes, but I tell people 'in moderation.' You can have that little piece of pie." --And here's how Paula plans to "bring hope": She has teamed up with the drug company Novo Nordisk on a campaign called Diabetes in a New Light . . . which is supposed to help people find "simple ways" to manage the disease. --In case you don't want to rely on Paula for your diabetes advice, here are Seven Steps to Help Prevent Diabetes.) --Oh . . . and she'll also be hyping their new diabetes drug Victoza. And of course, she'll be pocketing a healthy paycheck from Novo Nordisk for all of this. (--Check out video of Paula on "Today" here.) --Quick side note: Paula REFUSES to stop using real butter. She says, quote, "I will never use a substitute for butter. Margarine is one molecule away from eating plastic. --"There is a good chance that I can cut down on the amount of butter now that I'm aware, but will I cut butter out of my life completely? No. I will take measurements to manage it."


It's On Between Diabetic Chef Paula Deen and Non-Diabetic Chef Anthony Bourdain:

And now, we check in with fellow celebrity food expert ANTHONY BOURDAIN. You should probably know that he's had it in for Paula for a while. -Last summer, he called her, quote, "the most dangerous person to America" . . . adding that she's "proud of the fact that her food is [effing] bad for you." --Well, the news leaked out last week that Paula was about to announce her condition. --And at that time, Anthony said, quote, "When your signature dish is hamburger in between a doughnut, and you've been cheerfully selling this stuff knowing all along that you've got Type 2 Diabetes . . . It's in bad taste if nothing else." --And yesterday, after Paula made her announcement and revealed that she's now being paid to hype a diabetes drug, he Tweeted, quote, "Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later." (--Phone Starter: Are you a Paula Deen fan? How do YOU feel about this? Do you think she was purposely hiding her diagnosis to YOUR detriment?)


Donald Trump Doesn't Like to Share His $7 Billion:

DONALD TRUMP recently placed his own net worth at $7 BILLION. And apparently, one of the ways he stays so rich is by not giving much money to charity. --Trump's Donald J. Trump Foundation recently filed its 2010 tax return . . . and it showed that for the second year in a row, Donald gave NOTHING to his own charity. --And in the past five years, he's only put $675,000 of his own money into it. --In recent years, the foundation has been run mostly on a $5 million contribution from the WWE. Yes, that's right . . . World Wrestling Entertainment. --The donation was in exchange for Trump's involvement in some wrestling storylines . . . including "Wrestlemania 23" . . . in which he got to shave WWE boss VINCE MCMAHON'S hair. (--You can see video of that insanity here. And pay attention at the 55-second mark, where Trump levels McMahon with a CLOTHESLINE outside the ring.) --In 2010, the Trump Foundation made 53 donations, totaling just over a million bucks . . . including $300 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. --For some perspective, New York City Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG put $350 million into his own charitable foundation in 2010. And that year, it made donations totaling $105 million.


Bruce Jenner Had Some Skin Cancer Removed:

BRUCE JENNER has a scar on his face that has nothing to do with plastic surgery for a change. He had some skin cancer removed . . . and he made no attempt to hide it at the Lakers-Mavericks game the other night. (--Check out some pics here.)







Lindsay Lohan's Judge Says She's Still Doing Well on Her Probation:

LINDSAY LOHAN got good grades from her judge at a progress hearing yesterday. Judge Stephanie Sautner told her, quote, "Keep doing what you're doing. You appear to be doing it very well." --She added, quote, "The probation officer has written a favorable report, as has the volunteer center." --Oh, and check THIS out: Lindsay arrived for the hearing 15 minutes EARLY. (--Here's video.)


Steven Tyler Fell for His Fiancée Because of Her Hair Band:

Back in the day, it probably wasn't too hard for a girl to get the attention of STEVEN TYLER. Hair teased up to the ceiling . . . gobs of electric blue eye shadow . . . purple spandex pants . . . and maybe a super-tight cut-off Cheap Trick t-shirt. --But the man is a lot more refined now. And yesterday on "Ellen", he revealed how his fiancée Erin Brady first caught his eye. Turns out it was a HAIR BAND. --And no, I'm not talking about CINDERELLA or BANG TANGO. --Steven said, quote, "She had this hair band on around her head. She looked really old-fashioned, so I took her back in the room and she tied me up with it and I thought, 'I'm marrying this girl.'" --Elsewhere in the interview, Steven gave some of the credit for AEROSMITH'S success to . . . COCAINE. He said, quote, "I gotta tell ya if it wasn't for cocaine, I don't think the band would have played every state in the United States nine times in seven years. --"Because there was no MTV back then, Peruvian marching powder, it was like, 'Iowa, three in a row? Give me that [coke]." --But he added, quote, "It's what we did, but you know there is no end to that. It's death, jail, or insanity for real reals. . . . [Drugs] lost me my kids, a marriage, a band, a lot of things and it's for real. That's how dangerous that is. So, I take it serious."


An Australian TV Host Asked Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson About their Relationship . . . But They're Not Together Anymore:

VANESSA HUDGENS and JOSH HUTCHERSON hooked up while they were making the movie "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" together, but it didn't last. -Now the movie is coming out next month and they have to be out there promoting it together. And they seem pretty cool with each other. --But there was one awkward moment the other day when they appeared via satellite on an Australian talk show. One of the hosts obviously didn't know they'd broken up, so he asked, quote, "How long have you two been going out?" --They looked at each other for a few seconds, then Josh said, quote, "We're not. We were at one point, but she broke my heart. No, I'm just kidding." --He added, quote, "We're just really good friends now." (--It was actually a pretty funny moment . . . and Josh and Vanessa handled it perfectly. So I wouldn't be surprised if they really ARE friends. Then again, they're actors. So maybe they were just hiding their hatred for each other.) (--Check out the video here. Josh and Vanessa attempt Australian accents at the 3:00 mark, and the interviewer asks them how long they've been going out right after that, at the 3:22 mark.)


Rosie O'Donnell Dated a Guy for Two Years:

You may find this hard to believe, but ROSIE O'DONNELL dated a guy for two years . . . even though "deep down" she knew she was gay. Still, there were things she enjoyed more about being in a hetero relationship. --She says, quote, "There was something really glorious about being in a relationship at the supermarket with your partner, getting stuff for the football game on Sunday and having the cashier say, 'How long have you guys been dating?' --"When you're there with a woman, with your same sex partner, no one asks."


George Lucas Isn't Going to Give You Anymore "Star Wars" . . . Because All You Do Is Complain:

This is it, "Star Wars" fans . . . GEORGE LUCAS has HAD IT with you. --Okay, maybe that's a little harsh. But it does appear that all your crabbing and moaning over the years has basically convinced him NOT to do the 7th, 8th and 9th episodes you've been screaming for all these years. --It started with all the WHINING over his constant digital retouching of the original trilogy . . . which he began doing when the movies were re-released to theaters in 1997. (--And which he really hasn't stopped doing since.) --All the scorn you poured on the second trilogy certainly didn't help. George says, quote, "Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?" --As for the ways he has altered the original flicks, he says, quote, "My movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it." --It's not all bad for you "Star Wars" fans. You've got the animated "Clone Wars" show . . . and George IS still planning a live-action series, too.
Kristen Wiig Says No to a "Bridesmaids" Sequel:

I guess this makes it pretty official: KRISTEN WIIG says she and her writing partner Annie Mumolo are NOT doing a "Bridesmaids" sequel. --She says, quote, "We're not planning on doing one. We had a special time making the first one, but we're really excited to try something else."


Check Out the Trailer for Will Ferrell's Spanish-Language Comedy:

WILL FERRELL took a risk making his latest movie in SPANISH. But if it's funny, maybe Americans will finally get over their fear of subtitles. --The comedy, "Case de mi Padre", hits theaters March 16th. (--Check out the trailer here.)


Eleven Famous Movie Lines That Are Always Misquoted:

The awesome website 11Points.com has a great list worth checking out. It's "11 Famous Movie Lines That Are Constantly Misquoted." (--Full disclosure: 11Points.com . . . 'Because Top 10 Lists are for Cowards' . . . is the brainchild of head Stupid News writer Sam Greenspan.)


--Here they are:


--"Field of Dreams"

Wrong: "If you build it, they will come."
Right: "If you build it, he will come."


--"Casablanca"

Wrong: "Play it again, Sam."
Right: "Play it once, Sam, for old times' sake, play As Time Goes By."


--"The Empire Strikes Back"

Wrong: "Luke, I am your father."
Right: Darth Vader: "Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father." Luke Skywalker: "He told me enough. He told me you killed him." Darth Vader: "No. I am your father."

--"The Silence of the Lambs"

Wrong: "Hello, Clarice."
Right: "Good evening, Clarice."


--"A Few Good Men"

Wrong: "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"
Right: Jack Nicholson: "You want answers?" Tom Cruise: "I want the truth." Jack Nicholson: "You can't handle the truth!"


--"Dirty Harry"

Wrong: "Do you feel lucky, punk?"
Right: "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"


--"Mrs. Robinson"

Wrong: "Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Robinson?"
Right: "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"


--"Knute Rockne: All-American"

Wrong: "Win one for the Gipper."
Right: "Sometime when a team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, ell them to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper."


--"Wall Street"

Wrong: "Greed is good."
Right: "The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works."


--"The Wizard of Oz"

Wrong: "We're not in Kansas anymore."
Right: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."


--"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

Wrong: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
Right: "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?"


(--For a more detailed description of this chaos, plus Sam's classic, comedic take, visit his blog here.)


Betty White's 90th Birthday Celebration Was a Huge Success:

The BETTY WHITE phenomenon is now two years old . . . and she's still a JUGGERNAUT. --Her 90th birthday special "A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" was a big hit for NBC. 13.9 million people tuned in, which was good enough to make it Monday's most-watched primetime show. --After the special, NBC aired the premiere of Betty's senior citizen prank show . . . "Off Their Rockers" . . . and it CLEANED UP in the ratings, too. --12.2 million people stuck around for that, making it the night's third most-watched show . . . behind "Two and a Half Men", which had 12.9 million viewers.

(--Betty's career resurgence began two years ago, with her Snickers Super Bowl commercial . . . and the ultimately successful Facebook campaign to bring her to "Saturday Night Live", which she won an Emmy for.)


(--Since then, she's appeared in multiple movies, had guest appearances on numerous shows, starred in a Hallmark TV movie, and landed a starring role on TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland".)


(--She's also launched a clothing line, put out a calendar, released a book, received a Grammy nomination for the audio version of that book, dropped a remix of LUCIANA'S "I'm Still Hot", and got that "Off Their Rockers" show.)


(--Betty was far from retired before this phenomenon began . . . but it's remarkable that she's this big of a superstar at 90 years old. As President Obama said on her birthday special, I too would like to see her birth certificate.)
The Original Yellow Wiggle Is Back!

Five years ago, WIGGLES singer GREG PAGE walked away from the group because of a health issue. He was the YELLOW one. -But kids, he's BACK. --Greg announced that, effective immediately, he's appearing with the rest of The Wiggles at promotional events . . . and he'll be on their next world tour, which begins in March. --In 2006, Greg was diagnosed with a rare nervous system disorder called "dysautonomia," which causes fatigue and dizziness. Apparently, his condition improved, but there aren't any details on that. Greg is 40 years old. --The replacement Yellow Wiggle, Sam Moran, is leaving the group to pursue "new opportunities." The Wiggles' website says he, quote, "graciously offered to step aside on hearing of Greg's ability to return to the group."


Wednesday TV Reminders:

--"American Idol" [11th Season Premiere] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Fox.


--"CSI" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on CBS. Grant Show from "Melrose Place" and Matt Lauria from "Friday Night Lights" guest star as FBI agents, as Marg Helgenberger prepares to leave the show in a two-part story arc.


--"Dog the Bounty Hunter" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on A&E. Dog traps a felon accused of assaulting a cop with some high tech equipment.


--"Hot in Cleveland" . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on TV Land. Betty White's character Elka celebrates her 90th birthday. Dan Cortese also guest stars on this episode.


--"Fatal Encounters" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on ID.


--"Watch What Happens: Live" . . . 11:00 to 11:30 P.M. on Bravo. Jimmy Fallon guests.


14 Years Later, Brandy and Monica Are Doing Another Duet:

Back in 1998, BRANDY and MONICA collaborated on the single "The Boy Is Mine". The song spent 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard 100 chart. And now 14 years later, they're doing another duet --It's called "It All Belongs to Me" . . . and it'll be out on February 6th --Like "The Boy Is Mine", the song will appear on BOTH of their upcoming albums. Monica's next disc "New Life" is scheduled to hit stores on March 6th. Brandy's album is also expected to be out in March, but there's no title or release date yet.


Bruno Mars Has Completed His Community Service . . . and the Cocaine Charge Against Him Has Been Dismissed:

BRUNO MARS just finished a year of probation, and now his cocaine possession charge has been dropped. Bruno was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service over the past year, and he EXCEEDED that . . . serving more than 230 hours. --He also had to pay a $2,000 fine, and undergo drug counseling. --Bruno was arrested in Las Vegas in September of 2010, after a bathroom attendant saw him with cocaine and ratted him out. He pleaded guilty, but the judge let him off without a conviction as long as he fulfilled his probation requirements.


Paris Hilton's Next Album Will Feature a Track with LMFAO:

I can't think of ANYONE who wants to hear another album from PARIS HILTON . . . and yet it's happening, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. Legally, at least. --Maybe Paris knows this, because this time she's hitching her wagon to LMFAO . . . the guys behind "Party Rock Anthem". (--The club sensation that was infectious at first, before reaching indescribable levels of irritation.) --Her first single will feature LMFAO. Paris has known them since they were kids, because their parents were friends. --The rest of the album is being produced by Afrojack, the producer who was featured on PITBULL'S hit "Give Me Everything". She says the album will be out sometime this summer. --Paris' debut album has sold nearly 200,000 copies since coming out in 2006. But Paris says her new disc is going to be "completely different." --She says, quote, "I'm going with a whole new genre . . . we've just been coming up with the most incredible tracks . . . this is more my thing, more of a club scene, more dance." --Paris adds that switching to a "whole new genre" shouldn't be a problem because, quote, "I'm very musically talented . . . I think a lot of people don't know that music is my passion since I was a little girl."


Sammy Hagar Is Glad Van Halen Reunited . . . But He Isn't Impressed with What He's Heard So Far:

SAMMY HAGAR is glad that EDDIE VAN HALEN and DAVID LEE ROTH have recorded a new album together . . . but he isn't digging the new music so far. --Sammy says, quote, "I personally don't think that what they have just released, what I have seen and heard, is great at all. --"It should be better than it is, but hey, it is what it is and at least they got together and at least they came out with something, that's all I can say, you know. God bless them but I was expecting a lot more." --Van Halen's new single "Tattoo" came out last week. It's OK . . . it just sounds similar to an old outtake called "Down in Flames". In other words, it doesn't really grab your attention. --It's unclear how much Sammy's heard beyond "Tattoo" . . . if anything . . . but regardless, it's surprising that he was "expecting a lot more." In fact, it seems like "Tattoo" is EXACTLY what he was expecting. --Back in November, he told "Rolling Stone", quote, "I heard this record is old outtakes from the old days. They aren't working with new material. Eddie and Dave didn't actually write new songs . . . they took old stuff from previous sessions." (--You can read the rest of the interview . . . including Sammy talking about getting the boot because he didn't want to put out a Van Halen 'greatest hits' album . . . at CackBlabbath.co.uk.) (???)


Taylor Swift Believes She's Smart . . . Unless She's Really, Really in Love . . . Then She's Stupid:

I'm convinced you can't reach the level of success TAYLOR SWIFT has unless you're a really bright person. Of course, smart people still make dumb choices. And Taylor opened up about hers in the February issue of "Vogue". --She was asked how she approaches her "romantic life". She said, quote, "I think I am smart unless I am really, really in love, and then I am ridiculously stupid." --Unfortunately for Taylor, she must be feeling particularly brainy these days because she isn't seeing anyone. She said, quote, "I got nothing going on! --"I just don't really feel like dating. I really have this great life right now, and I'm not sad and I'm not crying this Christmas, so I am really stoked about that." --The Christmas full of crying she's referring to was back in 2010 . . . around the time she broke up with JAKE GYLLENHAAL. --As always, Taylor's pain is our gain. She's been working on her fourth album and she seems to be mining that famous breakup for material. --Taylor said, quote, "There's just been this earth-shattering, not recent, but absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak . . . and that will turn out to be what the next album is about. --"The only way that I can feel better about myself . . . pull myself out of that awful pain of losing someone . . . is writing songs about it to get some sort of clarity." --Taylor was asked if she's learned anything about relationships . . . seeing as she's been in so many bad ones. She has. She now looks for "Red Flags". --Here's one of them . . . and it could be what came between her and Jake Gyllenhaal. --She said, quote, "I can't deal with someone who's obsessed with privacy. People kind of care if there are two famous people dating. But no one cares that much. --"If you care about privacy to the point where we need to dig a tunnel under this restaurant so that we can leave? I can't do that." (--You can read all four of Taylor's "Red Flags", here. Scroll to the middle of page.)


(--PHONE STARTER: What's your #1 "Red Flag" when it comes to dating? Better yet, when did you ignore that red flag, only to have it bite you bad?)


WEDNESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS


Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


Check out pictures of JUSTIN BIEBER and SELENA GOMEZ kissing at a Jamba Juice. (Photos)



KATY PERRY is getting her own "Sims" game. (Full Story)



Some British tabloid printed an interview with BEYONCÉ yesterday. But her reps say it's FAKE. (Full Story)



MILEY CYRUS bought her boyfriend LIAM HEMSWORTH a puppy for his birthday. (Full Story)



There is an actual movie called "FDR: American Badass", in which President Roosevelt fights Nazi werewolves. It stars BARRY BOSTWICK of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" fame in the title role. (Trailer) (--WARNING!!! The clip contains R-rated language.)



On February 10th, 500 Target stores around the country are going to show an exclusive scene from "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2". (Full Story)



Check out a list of the Top 5 Male TV Characters You Wouldn't Want to Be Caught Dating. (Full Story)



SEAN HAYES will guest star on an upcoming episode of "Parks and Recreation". He's playing a character similar to MATT LAUER. There's no airdate yet. Sean played Jack on "Will & Grace". (Full Story)



JEFF GOLDBLUM and BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL will play Rachel's gay dads on "Glee". (Full Story) Meanwhile, Oxygen has picked up "The Glee Project" for a second season. (Full Story)



MARS VOLTA'S next album is called "Noctourniquet", and it drops on March 27th. (Full Story)



ODD FUTURE'S next album is titled "The OF Tape Volume 2", and it drops on March 20th. (Full Story)



DAUGHTRY has announced some spring tour dates for the Eastern U.S. (Full Story)



GRATEFUL DEAD drummer Bill Kreutzmann says he doesn't believe the Dead would be touring if JERRY GARCIA were still alive, because, quote, "Jerry had gotten kind of bored with [it], and it was sort of like a marriage that had maybe gone on too long . . . he wasn't really happy playing in the [band] at the end." (Full Story)
RANDOM STUFF

Just Knowing That a Woman Might Talk to Him Makes a Guy Dumber:

A few years back, a study found that men did worse on tests when there was a woman in the room. The conclusion was that just the PRESENCE of a woman makes men dumber. --Now, the same researchers have taken it even further. It doesn't take a woman in the room to make men stupid . . . it takes the mere IDEA of talking to a woman to make men stupid. --For the follow-up study, the men took another test: This time, they were told that a man or woman would send them a few instant messages during the test. --The instant messages never came. But the guys who thought they were getting messages from a woman did WORSE on the test than the guys who thought they were getting the messages from another man. --So, just THINKING a woman was going to talk to them made these guys dumber. --The researchers think it happens because men are socialized to think they have to be funny and charming around women . . . and that can get in the way of normal brain function. (Miller-McCune)


You Spend Over Two Full Days a Year Stuck in Traffic on Your Commute:

Here's another reason why you should BEG to work from home. You know, besides the fact that you don't have to wear any pants. --According to a new study, the average person wastes over TWO DAYS A YEAR stuck in traffic on their commute. --That's not commuting time total, just the time you're stuck in bad traffic. Based on an average of 12 minutes a day in traffic jams and delays, that's one hour a week, or more than two days a year. --Over the course of your entire career, that's around 90 full days spent sitting in traffic. Have a great day! (Visor Down)


Colombian Drug Dealers are Now Selling Cows to Make Ends Meet:

Here's another one of those "the economy is so bad" stories. According to reports out of Colombia, drug gangs are struggling so hard to make ends meet that they've expanded their focus from just selling cocaine . . . to selling COWS. --Between the economy and military action to fight Colombian drug trafficking, the money just isn't what it used to be. So now, drug lords and major rebel groups are filling the gap by selling cattle, too. --But of course the drug gangs are staying true to their roots: They're not selling legit cattle . . . most of the cattle are stolen. (Yahoo News)


Here are Two Pricing Tricks That Stores and Products Use . . . and That You Can't Resist:

You know how we laugh at little kids because they'd rather have five pennies than one nickel . . . since five is more than one? Yeah . . . according to two new studies, we don't outgrow that as adults. --Check 'em out . . .

#1.) Researchers at Virginia Tech found a psychological pricing trick that stores use to get us to buy bigger quantities. And we're POWERLESS against it.


--The researchers found that our brains react much better to a sale that says "50 items for $29" than one that says "$29 for 50 items." When we see that big quantity first . . . and it's much bigger than the price . . . it's harder for us to resist.


#2.) A team at the University of Michigan found that when products advertise a time . . . like battery life . . . we prefer to hear it in minutes.

--Our brains react better to "120 minutes of battery life" than "two hours of battery life." And, again, it's because we hear that BIG NUMBER and we like it . . . even though we should know better. --In this study, 57% more people picked up a battery advertised with 120 minutes of battery life than one advertised with two hours of battery life. (PhysOrg / PhysOrg)
The Things That Annoy Us Most About Roommates are Not Doing Chores, Not Paying Bills, and Stealing Food:

Living with a roommate is a rite of passage everyone should go through. You will never learn the value of personal space until you see a roommate walk into your bedroom, naked and ungroomed, eating your hummus with his bare hands.

--We've got the results here from a new survey about what roommates do that drive us CRAZY. Enjoy . . .


--67% of people say the thing that annoys them the most about their roommate is when they don't do chores.

--64% say it's when they don't pay bills on time.

--53% say it's when they STEAL FOOD.

--52% say it's blasting music late at night . . . or really early in the morning.

--49% say it's inviting bad guests over.

--21% say it's hogging the TV remote.

--And 17% say it's hogging the Internet connection.

--The survey also found that 14% of people say they'd NEVER live with a roommate again. And people agreed that the best combination of roommates is two guys and two girls. (BT Life)


17% of Americans Would Try Eating Possum Fajitas . . . and 5% Would Try Duck Testicles:

Remember 20 years ago when eating sushi was considered exotic? Our adventurousness with food has come a LONG WAY.

--According to a new survey by the Travel Channel, we're surprisingly open to trying some pretty EFFED-UP SOUNDING MEALS. Check it out . . .


--39% of Americans would eat SMOKED RACCOON.


--33% would try MUSKRAT CHILI. (--Which is like "Muskrat Love", only with more beans and less Tennille.)


--20% would try a PIG EAR SANDWICH.


--18% would eat GUINEA PIG.


--17% would try POSSUM FAJITAS.


--6% would try LAMB BRAINS.


--And finally, in a tie for last place, 5% would try either DUCK TESTICLES or COW PLACENTA.


(Huffington Post)
The Largest Brewing Company in America is . . . Yuengling?

Budweiser is owned by a Belgium company. MillerCoors is owned by a British one. Pabst is located in the U.S., but outsources their brewing to other countries. Which begs the question . . . who's actually making beer in America anymore? --According to the latest numbers, the biggest U.S. brewing company is now . . . Yuengling. They're in eighth place overall in the country with a 1.2% market share. (--If you're not familiar with Yuengling, they're actually the oldest brewery in the country, and they're based in Pennsylvania . . . where they're HUGE.) --The second-biggest American brewing company is the Boston Beer Company, which makes Sam Adams. (Ad Age)


The Red Cross Is the Most-Trusted Organization in America . . . and the AFL-CIO is the Least:

A Harris Poll asked Americans how much they trust 12 of the biggest organizations that influence policy and politicians. Here are the five MOST trusted:

#1.) The American Red Cross: 85% of people trust them, but only 60% think they have influence in Washington.

#2.) Consumers Union: They publish "Consumer Reports". 81% of us trust them, but only 59% think they have any power.

#3.) The Nature Conservancy: 80% trust them. They're the least powerful, at 48%.

#4.) The American Public Transportation Association: 72% trust, 67% power.

#5.) The AARP: 72% of us trust them, and 74% of us think they have clout.


--Here are the LEAST trusted:


#1.) The AFL-CIO: 45% trust them, but they're considered the most powerful, at 86%.

#2.) Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America: 47% trust them, but they're third-most powerful at 84%.

#3.) The NRA: 48% trust them, and 80% think they're powerful.

#4.) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: 60% trust them. And they're the second-most powerful, at 84%.

#5.) National Association of Manufacturers: 61% trust. 80% power. (PR Newswire)


Don't They Ever Clean? In Colorado, a Man Missing for Five Days Turns Up in a Movie Theater Bathroom:

This is a sad story where a man died, and I'm sympathetic to that and blah blah blah. But all I can REALLY think about is . . . MY GOD, how infrequently does this movie theater clean its bathrooms??? --On January 9th, 66-year-old George DeGrazio of Loveland, Colorado disappeared. Three days later, his SUV was found in the parking lot of a Cinemark movie theater in Fort Collins, Colorado. --And two days after THAT . . . after a massive manhunt in the area . . . he was finally discovered, dead, in a stall in the men's room at the theater. --That's right. He was locked in the stall dead for FIVE DAYS, and no one found him. Apparently, the theater is on the "clean our bathrooms once a week" plan. --George died from a heart attack in the stall. (--There's no word on what movie he went to. But if it was "Chipwrecked", seeing that movie and dying on the toilet might JUST be the worst possible way to go.) --Cinemark says they're working with the police to find out how George's body managed to stay undiscovered for so long. They've put five managers from that theater location on leave. (NBC 9 - Denver)

MEATBALL CRIMONALS

Another NASA Employee Drove a Long Way to Attack a Romantic Rival . . . But She Didn't Wear a Diaper This Time:

Five years ago, astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 900 miles to attack a female engineer who was dating her astronaut ex-boyfriend. --Her attempted kidnapping failed, but she earned a spot in our hearts by allegedly wearing a diaper, so she wouldn't have to make any rest stops on the drive. Although she later claimed that wasn't true. --Not sure what it is about NASA that inspires love triangles and felony road trips . . . but it HAPPENED AGAIN. Only this time, it had a MUCH more tragic ending. --52-year-old Shannon O'Roark Griffin is a retired training specialist for NASA. At a marriage counseling session on Friday, her husband Roscoe told her he'd been having an affair, and wanted a divorce. --Shannon left the appointment and hit the road, heading for the home of Roscoe's mistress, a psychiatrist named Irina Puscariu. --Shannon lives in Lyons, Kansas, and Irina is in Gladstone, Missouri. That's a 250-mile drive, and Shannon made it in about four hours . . . no diaper needed. --When she got there, Shannon knocked on Irina's door, and SHOT her three times, KILLING her. --Then she called her daughter to tell her what she'd done, and got back in the car to drive home. Police picked her up near Wichita. She's being charged with first-degree murder. (Daily Mail) (--Check out photos of Shannon and Roscoe.)


The Founder of the Pinkberry Yogurt Chain Has Been Arrested for Beating Up a Homeless Man With a Tire Iron:

If you don't know Pinkberry, it's a chain of trendy frozen yogurt places that started in L.A., then spread around the country and went international. --47-year-old Young Lee is one of the co-founders of Pinkberry, which means he's a multimillionaire. But all that money didn't stop him from doing THIS. --Last June, Lee was on a highway off-ramp in Los Angeles, stopped at a red light, when a homeless man approached the car asking for money. And apparently the homeless guy had a visible tattoo that was, quote, "sexually explicit." --We don't know what the tattoo said . . . the police haven't revealed it . . . but for some reason, the tattoo OUTRAGED Lee. To the point where he got out of the car, chased the homeless man down the street, and BEAT HIM WITH A TIRE IRON. --The LAPD investigated for several months, and just arrested Lee on Monday night after he got back from a long trip to South Korea. --Lee is a former kickboxer. There's no word on how badly he injured the homeless guy. --He'll be arraigned on February 8th on charges of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. He might avoid prison time if he can work out a plea. (Los Angeles Times)


A Gay Street Gang Held a Fashion Show For Charity With Their Sister-Gang:

Well, we've told you about all of today's nonsense, chaos, and stupidity. Now here's "The Good News." --'Check It' is a D.C. street gang that started in a neighborhood of immigrants from Trinidad . . . and all of their members are gay. They also have a sister-gang, called 'Unexpected.' We assume they're lesbians, but it's not entirely clear.
--Together, the gangs are believed to have about 100 members, and they're known around the D.C. area for purse snatchings, robberies, shoplifting, and fights. --But supposedly that's all changing now. Check It and Unexpected have turned over a new leaf, and they haven't caused any trouble in the last two months. --And on Saturday, they held a FASHION SHOW at the Police Boys and Girls Club, to show off the new fashion line they're designing. It's called 'TurnItUp.' --In addition to strutting on the catwalk with actual models, gang members also spoke to kids about how to avoid a life of crime. And they showed off their dance moves. --One gangster-turned-model told the crowd, quote, "We want to do something better. We want people to look at us in positive ways." (Washington Post) (--Here's a photo from the fabulous gang fashion show.)


RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS

Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


64% of people admit they go to work and social engagements while suffering from flu symptoms. (Full Story)


Check out a list of the most unusual items submitted on employee expense reports, including cosmetic surgery, lottery tickets, and a fine for crashing into a toll booth. (Full Story)


From the unstoppable list-makers at "Forbes", it's 'The Top 10 Cars for Newlyweds.' Including the Hyundai Elantra, the Fiat 500, the Honda Civic, and the Ford Focus. (Full Story)



A toy company in Iran is making miniature versions of the U.S. drone that crashed there . . . and they say they're saving a pink one to send to President Obama. (Full Story)


NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY

#1.) This Kid's Message to His Girlfriend Might Be the Most Embarrassing Video Ever:

Some kid's lame video message to his girlfriend is a hit on YouTube right now. It's called "My Video for Briona", and it's so awful it's almost too embarrassing to watch. First of all, the kid looks like 'Screech' from "Saved by the Bell". --But he's also got a creepy laugh, a creepy smile, and delivers an endless stream of cheesy lines to a girlfriend he calls 'baby girl'. Everything about it screams stalker. He also moves the camera and sways the whole time, it's really annoying. --He starts by telling her, quote, "I love you more than there are grains of sand on every beach of every planet of every galaxy of the universe." And it gets worse from there. --But his best line might be, quote, "You mean more to me than Home Depot means to Mr. Lotorado" . . . who I assume is their shop teacher. (--The cheesiness really takes off around :17.)


#2.) The 20 Best Job-Quitting Movie Scenes of All Time:

If you feel like marching into your boss's office and telling him off . . . don't. Check out the 20 best job-quitting movie scenes on IFC.com instead. --A few favorites include Peter Finch in "Network", Jennifer Aniston refusing to wear "more flair" in "Office Space", Tom Cruise's famous exit in "Jerry Maguire", and Renee Zellweger telling off Hugh Grant in "Bridget Jones's Diary". (--Search for "The Best Job-Quitting Scenes of All Time.")


#3.) A Group of Teenagers in Chicago Brutally Beat Another Student on Camera . . . Then Posted the Video on YouTube:

Police in Chicago are investigating an incident where six male high school students brutally beat and robbed an Asian student in an alley. And there's footage of it because the morons who did it filmed themselves . . . and posted the video on YouTube. --Now the four-minute video is up on the "Chicago Tribune" website with no audio, because there's so much profanity. Or you can still see the uncensored version on LiveLeak.com. --First they started stomping on him. Then they dragged him across the alley and started kicking him in the head. --After that, he got up and tried to reason with them, but one of the kids punched him in the face, knocked him to the ground, and they all started kicking him again. Eventually he got a chance to run away. And the video ends with the six of them running after him. --According to police, they stole a pair of shoes from his backpack and $180 in cash. He was treated at a nearby hospital for a bad cut to his lip, along with other cuts and bruises. Luckily he wasn't hurt worse. --Police questioned the six boys in the video, and said that so far no charges have been filed. They also said it doesn't appear to have been racially motivated. (--Search for "Innocent Kid Attacked in Chicago" or watch the censored version of the "Chicago Tribune" website. One of them starts hitting him with his own shoe at 1:16, and tries to reason with them at 1:42.) (--WARNING: The uncensored version includes the N-word and the F-word, and shows a prolonged, graphic beating.)


Seven Steps to Help Prevent Diabetes:

On the "Today" show yesterday, comfort food chef PAULA DEEN revealed she has type 2 diabetes.


--Deen says she won't change the way she cooks, but the editors at the health and fitness website RealAge.com wish she WOULD. Here are their top seven steps for preventing diabetes.


#1.) Don't Eat Processed Meats. Because of all the nitrates and saturated fat, regularly eating hot dogs, bacon, or sausage can increase your diabetes risk by 19%.


#2.) Frequent Your Local Farmers' Market. The fiber in fresh produce helps keep your blood sugar steady. And the magnesium in leafy green vegetables helps you stay sensitive to insulin.


--Most people eat a big meat-based main course for dinner and not enough vegetables. But according to RealAge, at least half of your plate should be filled with produce.


#3.) Be More Active. You don't have to work out like a maniac. You just have to move around more. Getting 30 minutes of light exercise five days a week significantly lowers your risk.


#4.) Snack on Nuts. The protein and healthy fat helps your body absorb blood sugar and use it more effectively. Just don't eat too many, because nuts are high in calories.


#5.) Reduce Stress. Anxiety and lack of sleep both mess with your body's ability to absorb blood sugar. Routinely getting less than six hours of sleep a night can double your risk of developing diabetes. And so can having a high-stress job.


#6.) Cut Down on Sugar. This is the most obvious one, but a lot of people don't realize how much sugar they have in a day. Having just one sugary drink a day . . . like a Pepsi or a sugary cup of coffee . . . can increase your diabetes risk by 26%.


--Adding milk to your coffee is okay though. In fact, drinking one glass of skim milk each day can CUT your risk by 12%.

#7.) Know Your Family History. Healthy changes in your diet and exercise routine go a long way. But you also have to know about other risk factors. --African-Americans and Latinos have a higher risk of developing diabetes. And so do Native Americans and Asian-Americans. So if you think you're at risk, talk to your doctor. (RealAge)

HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (01-17-12)

Goldie Hawn Has a Casting Couch Story:

GOLDIE HAWN has been in control of her own destiny for so long, it's hard to imagine she was once young, inexperienced and trying to get her foot in the showbiz door. --Back in the mid-1960s, when she was just 19 years old, Goldie Hawn ended up on some sleazebag's casting couch. But you'll be happy to know she did NOT give in to his advances. --The man in question was AL CAPP . . . the guy who wrote the "Lil' Abner" comics. He was preparing some TV show and he brought Goldie to his office to "audition". --On the show "Oprah's Master Class", Goldie said he gave her the classic "I'm gonna slip into something more comfortable" line . . . and came back out in a DRESSING GOWN. She says, quote, "He sits down on the couch and I'm thinking, 'This isn't looking too good.'" --He asked to see Goldie's legs, so she showed him. Then things really went south. She said, quote, "He opened up his dressing gown and I looked at it . . . It was scary. --"I said, 'Mr. Capp I will never get a job like this.' And he said to me, 'Oh, I've had them all.' And I said, 'Well it doesn't matter, but I'll never do this,' and he said, 'Well, you're never going to get anywhere in this business, you should go home and marry a Jewish dentist.' And I started to cry and I said, 'Well maybe I will.'" (--Obviously, Goldie DID get somewhere in the business. Al Capp died in 1979, at the age of 70. Here's video of Goldie telling her story.)


Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner May Have Split:

AVRIL LAVIGNE and BRODY JENNER may have split . . . supposedly because Brody wasn't ready to settle down.
-A source says, quote, "She wanted to settle down, but he wasn't exactly ready. They had been having problems starting in the summer with her tour because she was on the road all the time. --"It put a strain on their relationship." (--Avril and Brody have been together about two years. He's 28 . . . she's 27.)


Rihanna Smoked a Funny Cigarette and Tweeted Pot Lyrics from a Drake Song:

RIHANNA was photographed smoking a funny-looking cigarette during a Hawaiian vacation on Sunday. --And maybe it wasn't marijuana. But if it wasn't, then why did Rihanna then Tweet pot lyrics from the DRAKE song "Up All Night"? --She said, quote, "Kush rolled, glass full . . . I prefer the better things." Kush, for those of you who don't know, is quality weed. (--Check out the pics here.) (Egotastic)


Justin Bieber Is Now a Brunette:

Your 13-year-old daughter may want to be sitting down for this one. Is she strapped in? No sharp objects nearby? Okay, here we go . . . JUSTIN BIEBER IS A BRUNETTE. --He was spotted over the weekend with dark brown hair. (--Check out some pics here.) (Us Weekly, E! Online)


Ashton Kutcher's Twitter and Foursquare Accounts Were Hacked:

ASHTON KUTCHER'S Twitter and Foursquare accounts were hacked recently. --The hacker posted as Ashton, claiming that he was having his first sleepover with his new girlfriend . . . a screenwriter named LORENE SCAFARIA. (--She wrote "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist". Ashton's rep says they're "just friends.") --The hacker also posted a Foursquare link pointing out Lorene's house on a map. --Well, since the hacker went on Foursquare, Ashton says he now knows where the guy lives. He Tweeted, quote, "So apparently someone thinks they are clever hacking my account. #lame. --"OK mr. hacker, you only made one mistake. You hacked my Foursquare and I now know your address. Whoops... This is gonna be fun." --Then he posted the guy's supposed location and said, quote, "I'm coming for you my friend." (--Ashton is an investor in Foursquare, by the way.)


Megan Fox May Compete Against Lindsay Lohan for the Part of Elizabeth Taylor:

LINDSAY LOHAN isn't the only actress being considered for that upcoming Lifetime movie about ELIZABETH TAYLOR. MEGAN FOX is in the running, too. --One of the producers says, quote, "I've been talking to Lindsay Lohan directly, and with her reps, and have been in conversations with other actresses, including Megan Fox. --"It's a very serious selection. It's like casting for Hollywood royalty." (--Who would YOU rather see in the role? Yeah, Lindsay Lohan is a train wreck, but when her stuff is together, she's a fantastic actress. You really can't say that about Megan Fox, can you?)
SPORT SHORTS

Tim Tebow Is Still the Broncos' Starting Quarterback . . . For Now:

We all saw the Denver Broncos get blown out by the New England Patriots on Saturday night. --But JOHN ELWAY and the rest of the Broncos higher-ups have enough faith in TIM TEBOW that they've decided to stick with him as their starting quarterback . . . for now. --Elway . . . a Hall of Fame QB for Denver back in the day, is going to personally work with Tebow during the off-season. He says, quote, "Well, I think Tim's earned the right to be the starting quarterback going into training camp next year. --"I think he made some good strides this year. He obviously played very well against Pittsburgh and played very well in a lot of football games." --Now, this doesn't mean the Broncos won't draft quarterbacks or pick any up through free agency. And it also doesn't mean Tebow will be taking the snaps when the season starts next fall. --If another quarterback does better during training camp, that could be the end of the Tim Tebow miracle. (--Meanwhile, Tebow's season might not be totally over. CBS has asked him to do some in-studio analysis during the AFC Championship game between the Pats and the Ravens on Sunday. They haven't heard back from him yet.)


Ravens Linebacker Terrell Suggs Is in a Copyright Battle . . . Over the Phrase "Ball So Hard University":

Baltimore Ravens linebacker TERRELL SUGGS is involved in a copyright battle over the phrase "Ball So Hard University". (???) Yeah, there's an explanation: --In the early moments of NFL games, they always show videos of the starting players introducing themselves by saying their names and the colleges they attended. --Well, during a November 6th game between the Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Suggs introduced himself as "Sizzle", and identified his college as "Ball So Hard University". (--Here's video. Suggs actually borrowed the phrase "ball so hard" from "Watch the Throne" . . . the joint album released by Jay-Z and Kanye West last year. It's in the lyrics to the song "[N-words] in Paris".) --Within days, a man named Brian Brussells applied for a TRADEMARK on Ball So Hard University so he could use it on T-shirts and other clothing. Ten days later, Suggs tried to trademark it and found out he was too late. --So Suggs' attorney filed a cease-and-desist order, saying Brussells' use of the phrase is false, misleading, creates confusion and interferes with Suggs' "rights of publicity." (--Here's video of Suggs talking about Ball So Hard University.)


Check Out an Animated Version of the Opening Scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" Done with Action Figures:

Somebody used action figures and stop-motion animation to remake the opening scene of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and it's great. --It appears to be shot-for-shot, because they even used the original audio from the movie, and it fits perfectly. (--Check it out here.)


Here Are Some Plot Details from the Upcoming James Bond Movie:

Sony has released a brief plot summary for "Skyfall" . . . the new James Bond movie. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. --Here it is . . . quote, "Bond's loyalty to M . . . (--Played by Judi Dench) . . . is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost." --And that's all you get for now. "Skyfall" doesn't hit theaters until next November.


"GOLDEN GLOBES" FALLOUT

Ricky Gervais Enjoyed Hosting the "Golden Globes" This Year . . . But He Doesn't Want to Do It Again:

RICKY GERVAIS has hosted the "Golden Globes" three straight times . . . and although he was not as controversial this year as he's been in the past, he says he enjoyed it MORE. --Ricky wrote on his blog, quote, "I had a blast actually. It was by far my favorite of the three hosting stints." --But he added, quote, "I've told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again though. It's like a parachute jump. You can only really enjoy it in retrospect when you realize you didn't die and it was quite an amazing thing to do." --And on his performance, Ricky had this to say: Quote, "The crowd were great this year too. I think they finally worked out that my gags only seemed rude and nasty but were actually not too scary at all. Or they were just drunker." --By the way, about 16.8 million people tuned in for the "Golden Globes". That was down slightly from the 17 million that watched last year's ceremony. --NBC probably isn't splitting hairs though. This year's 16.8 million viewers was their biggest non-sports audience in that timeslot since last year's "Golden Globes".
The Elton John / Madonna Beef Heats Up: Elton's Husband Ranted About Madonna's "Golden Globe" Win on Facebook:

MADONNA has had an eventful 2012 so far. First, she took a few shots at LADY GAGA . . . and now, her on and off beef with ELTON JOHN and his husband DAVID FURNISH is heating up again. --David unleashed a rant on Facebook after Madonna beat Elton in the Best Original Song category at the "Golden Globes" on Sunday night. --He wrote, quote, "Madonna. Best song???? [Eff] off!!!" --And after Madonna's acceptance speech, David added, quote, "Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. --"Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in its narcissism. And her criticism of Gaga shows how desperate she really is." (--Here's video of her acceptance speech. Elton's reaction is shown at the 1:06 mark. He looks unimpressed.) (--David has since removed the posts . . . but there's a screen-capture of them at Towleroad.com. By the way, David was AT the "Golden Globes" when he wrote the posts.) --Elton and Lady Gaga are good friends, but Madonna and Elton have had a much rockier relationship. --Before the show, Elton told CARSON DALY on the red carpet that he didn't think Madonna had, quote, "any [effing] chance" of beating him. When Carson said "those are fighting words," Elton responded, quote, "They're accurate words." --But of course, she did end up winning. --And in a backstage interview after the fact, Madonna said she hoped Elton wasn't upset. She said, quote, "I hope he speaks to me for the next couple of years. He's been known to get mad at me so I don't know. --"He's brilliant and I adore him so he'll win another award. I don't feel bad!" (--Here's video of Elton and David from the red carpet. The dis happens 50 seconds in. Carson's interview with Madonna follows. Elton said he believed MARY J. BLIGE would win the category for her song from "The Help".) (--By the way, the original source of the Elton / Madonna feud is unclear, but back in 2004, Elton slammed Madonna at Britain's Q Awards. He made fun of her for lip-synching at her shows after she won a Best Live Act award.) (--Meanwhile, Madonna almost ticked off someone else at the "Golden Globes": JESSICA BIEL. Madonna accidentally stepped on Jessica's dress. Here are some pictures. But it's all good. You can see that Jessica is smiling.) (TMZ)


Kim Kardashian Thought Ricky Gervais' Joke About Her Was Funny:

KIM KARDASHIAN was one of the few people RICKY GERVAIS slammed at the "Golden Globes". Kim wasn't there, but she HAS heard the joke, and she's OK with it. Or at least, that's the word from Kim's so-called friends. --During his monologue, Ricky joked, quote, "The 'Golden Globes' are to the 'Oscars' what Kim Kardashian is to KATE MIDDLETON . . . a bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought, allegedly." (--Here's video.) --TMZ reports that Kim's friends told them that she gets the joke . . . she has a sense of humor . . . and she, quote, "thought it was funny." However, she did point out that the "drunker" part is inaccurate, because she "hardly drinks." (--Yeah, but Ricky just said that Kim is "drunker" than Kate Middleton. Is Kim really claiming that she drinks LESS than Kate? I'd find that hard to believe.)


"Glee" Is Doing a "Saturday Night Fever" Themed Episode:

"Glee" is working with BARRY GIBB on a tribute episode for the BEE GEES' "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. It'll air sometime in April. --And "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy hints that JOHN TRAVOLTA may make a guest appearance on the episode. --He says, quote, "Travolta and Cory Monteith became close friends at a party when Cory told him he'd seen 'Broken Arrow' 20 times . . . so maybe we'll have them dance in a Finn dream sequence." There's no word if Travolta is interested.


Check Out the Opening Sequence from Betty White's Birthday Special:

Betty White's 90th birthday special "A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" aired last night on NBC. It featured Betty's "Hot in Cleveland" co-stars, plus MARY TYLER MOORE, CAROL BURNETT, AMY POEHLER, and others. --Video of the opening dance number is up at HollywoodLife.com . . . and there's another clip available on NBC.com, in which ZACHARY LEVI proposes to Betty. They also share a KISS.


Tuesday TV Reminders:


--"Glee" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on Fox. NeNe Leakes from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" guest stars as the coach of the synchronized swimming team.


--"Celebrity Wife Swap" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on ABC. Niecy Nash from "Reno 911" swaps families with "Family Ties" superstar Tina Yothers for a week.


--"Remodeled" [Series Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on the CW. A modeling agency veteran helps small agency owners get their businesses back on track.


--"Texas Multi Mamas" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on WE.


--"I Hate My Kitchen" [3rd Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on DIY.


--"Body of Proof" . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on ABC. Marcia Gay Harden and Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson guest star in this Casey Anthony inspired episode.


--"Justified" [3rd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on FX.


--"Ragin' Cajuns" [Series Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Discovery. Shrimp fishermen from Venice, Louisiana are profiled in this new reality series.


--"Ink Master" [Series Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Spike TV. Dave Navarro hosts as ten tattoo artists compete for the chance at winning $100,000.


--"Southland" [4th Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on TNT. Lou Diamond Phillips guest stars and Lucy Liu joins the cast.


NEW ON VIDEO THIS WEEK


--"The Ides of March" - Ryan Gosling plays a staffer on George Clooney's presidential campaign, whose loyalties are tested when he gets involved in a scandal. The movie was directed by Clooney, and the rest of the cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, and Evan Rachel Wood.


--"Abduction" - Taylor Lautner learns he was abducted as a child and that his dad's some kind of spy. Lily Collins plays the sexy neighbor who goes on the run with him after people start trying to kill him. Sigourney Weaver and Alfred Molina are also in it.


--"Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star" - Comedian Nick Swardson finds out his conservative parents used to be porn stars. So despite his buck-teeth, small package, and lack of sexual experience, he decides that's HIS destiny too. Don Johnson is the porn director who breaks him into the business, and Christina Ricci is in it too.


--"Dirty Girl" - Juno Temple convinces her closeted gay friend to steal his dad's car and drive her across the country to find the father she's never met. It's set in the '80s, with Milla Jovovich and Mary Steenburgen as their conservative moms. The cast also includes Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam, and William H. Macy.




TV Series On DVD:



--"Merlin: The Complete Third Season" . . . a five-disc DVD set.

--"Sliders: The Fifth and Final Season" . . . a four-disc DVD set.

--"Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Six" . . . a three-disc DVD set.

--"Kevin Hart: Laugh At My Pain" . . . a single-disc DVD set.


NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK


This Week's CD Releases:


--"Which Side Are You On?", Ani Difranco . . . The title track is a revised version of the 1931 Florence Reece song. Pete Seeger, who popularized the song in the '60s, sings and plays banjo on Ani's version.

--"Kidz Bop 21", Kidz Bop Kids . . . The latest batch includes the juvenile covers of "Party Rock Anthem", "Moves Like Jagger", "The Edge of Glory", and "Stereo Hearts".

--"Speak Now: Deluxe Edition", Taylor Swift . . . This deluxe edition of Taylor's "Speak Now" album, includes six bonus tracks plus a bonus DVD. It was originally sold as a Target exclusive, but it's available everywhere now.

--"Hits and More", Martina McBride . . . A 20-song hits collection that includes three new tracks, "Surrender", "Straight to the Bone" and "Being Myself".


Kid Rock Got Drunk at a Travis Tritt Concert and Lit Up a Cigar in Front of an Asthmatic Man:

KID ROCK went to see TRAVIS TRITT in Michigan over the weekend. --He threw back a few drinks, and lit up a cigar during the show. But like a lot of venues, this place was a NONSMOKING establishment, and Kid's smoke irritated a 58-year-old asthmatic man, who says he's filing a report with the health department. --That man, Randy Snell, says, quote, "It's a violation of a state law, and people paid good money to come to a nonsmoking venue, but they were not treated to a nonsmoking venue. Special privileges were extended in disregarding the law." (--Smoking in public venues, restaurants and bars has been illegal in Michigan since May of 2010.) --But Kid says he's SORRY, and didn't mean to intentionally thumb his nose at the rules. However, he seems more dismissive than sincere. --He says, quote, "It should be no secret that I do receive special treatment. I worked very hard for it, and without it my life would be a series of nonstop cell phone pictures." --Kid says that people were buying him drinks, and he drank them . . . because he didn't want to turn them down and "waste alcohol." --He adds, quote, "I doubt I'm the first one to ever make a bad decision while being intoxicated, so he without fault please cast the first stone. My most sincere apologies to the patrons I may have offended . . . --"And a big middle finger in advance to all the haters and attorneys who will somehow try to find an easy paycheck in all this."


Was Beyoncé's Skin Tone Lightened for a New Album Promotion?

There's talk that BEYONCÉ'S skin tone was intentionally lightened for some photos to promote her latest album, "4". She's also sporting platinum blonde hair. --This isn't the first time Beyoncé has been accused of lightening her skin tone. In 2008, a L'Oreal advertisement prompted a similar complaint . . . and in her video for "Countdown", she looks almost Caucasian. --For what it's worth, Beyoncé's father is African American, and her mother is mixed race. (--What do you think? You can find the new images promoting "4", here . . . along with the L'Oreal ad, and a couple recent pictures of her. Is it just an effect of lighting and makeup, or is Beyoncé trying to look whiter?) (Daily Mail)
And Now, Beyoncé Has a Horsefly Named After Her:

A researcher in Australia has named a species of horsefly after BEYONCÉ. This particular fly is now called: "Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae." -He did this for a few reasons:

1.) It was first captured in 1981 . . . the year Beyoncé was born.

2.) It has a gold-colored backside, which the researcher describes as, quote, "pretty bootylicious." (--Clearly, this dude isn't your run of the mill researcher.)

3.) To help draw attention to his research. Seriously, he's outright admitting this. However, it isn't totally self-serving.

--He hopes the attention can shed light on the importance of having researchers cataloging and studying insects so that, quote, "we can measure our human impact on the environment and protect it for future generations to enjoy." --The researcher says he hasn't heard from Beyoncé. (--And the hope of that happening may have been the FOURTH reason why he named it after her.) (--Here's a picture of the bootylicious Beyoncé horsefly.) (Huffington Post)


Tony Iommi Says the New Black Sabbath Album is Coming Along Well . . . Despite His Cancer Diagnosis:

Guitarist TONY IOMMI says work on the next BLACK SABBATH album is coming along well . . . despite the fact that he was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, which is cancer of the immune cells. --He says, quote, "It's really good that the guys are coming over so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio." --Tony says the diagnosis was, quote, "not what I wanted for Christmas," but he says he can't wait to "get going with the treatment." (--It's still unclear how the diagnosis will affect Sabbath's plans to tour.)


Check Out Some Videos of Kanye West When He Was Younger:

Some old, "never before seen footage" footage of KANYE WEST has surfaced online. --The first one is of Kanye in 1990 . . . when he was probably around 12 years old . . . reading a poem he wrote for Martin Luther King Jr. called "His Name Means Love." (--You can find the video on DDotOmen.com.)

--Here's the poem:


"A man who fought for freedom, a man who fought for equality
Those who were against him, were too blind to see, what this man was fighting for
So Blacks, Hispanics, Jews and Asians could put their foot in the door
Yes, we know that this man is great, that's why today we celebrate
And everyone lifts their voice and sing, for a man who wanted freedom to ring
Martin Luther King is who I'm speaking of
A man whose name means love."


--There's also a clip of Kanye rapping in Chicago in 1996 . . . when he was 18 or 19 years old. (--You can find two versions of the video at DDotOmen.com. WARNING: They contain UNCENSORED PROFANITY.)

(--Kanye didn't release his debut, "The College Dropout", until 2004. But in the late '90s, shortly after this video was filmed, he began producing for well known artists like Jermaine Dupri, Foxy Brown and Goodie Mob.) (--In 2000, he got his big break, and began to produce for artists on Roc-a-Fella Records . . . including JAY-Z.)


Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


You know the guy who cheated on his wife with FANTASIA? Well, he may have cheated on Fantasia, too. A source says he was cheating on her even before she got pregnant . . . and the baby she had last month was her attempt to keep him honest. (Full Story)


KRIS HUMPHRIES is supposedly telling friends that KIM KARDASHIAN planned her own proposal to the letter. (Full Story)


Despite what you've read online, CHRIS DAUGHTRY is not dead. (Full Story)


SEAN PENN has been named an ambassador to Haiti. No, not the official U.S. ambassador to Haiti. It's a title he got from the Haitian foreign minister. (Full Story)


SNOOKI wishes DONALD TRUMP was still running for president . . . because she would endorse and vote for him. (Full Story)


Saucy British minx EMMA THOMPSON went skinny-dipping in a river on her property in Scotland . . . and a neighbor called police to report a NAKED MAN trespassing on her property. (Full Story)


For just $2,100 a night . . . or $13,225 for a week . . . you can stay at Vineyard Knoll, the Sonoma County mansion where the girls are staying on the current season of "The Bachelor". (Full Story)


T.I. might have become a big movie star in 2012 . . . if he didn't violate his probation and spend most of last year in prison. He says he could've been in "Tower Heist", "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", "World War Z" and the upcoming SYLVESTER STALLONE movie "Bullet to the Head". (Full Story)


DR. DREW is launching a new rehab show . . . but this one won't star celebrities. Instead, it'll feature "young adults struggling with addiction." It will premiere this summer. (Full Story)



RANDOM STUFF

For the First Time Ever, More Than Half the Meals We Eat Outside the House are Fast Food:

It's official: When you decide not to cook dinner at home, an hour later, you're probably going to find yourself face down in a bucket of KFC. --According to a new study out of England . . . but one that probably applies here too . . . more than half of the meals we eat outside the home are fast food. --When we go out to eat, 50.4% of the time we go for fast food. The other 49.6% are at regular restaurants. --It used to be the other way around. In 2008, about 52% of meals were at full-service, sit-down restaurants, and 48% were fast food. --Everything these days either gets blamed on the economy or our growing chubbiness . . . so this is a story where BOTH of those things can share the blame. --The researchers behind the study say that because families have less money and larger appetites, quote, "[They're] driven from independent restaurants to fast food chains [where] they know what they're getting and know it's a good value." (The Telegraph) --On a related note, a survey last year found that Americans eat out 4.8 times a week, or 249 times a year. That includes sit-down restaurants and fast food.)
Here's How Much of Our Food Gets Imported From Overseas:

The FDA announced last week that they were testing orange juice imported from Brazil, to see if it contained an anti-fungus drug that's illegal in the States. --We've all heard plenty of food recall stories, but the real surprise here is that we have to import orange juice at all, with all the orange groves in Florida and California. --It turns out we import a LOT of our food. And the amount is increasing, mainly because it's cheaper to make it overseas. Here are some figures from the Department of Agriculture. --The USDA says that a quarter of our orange juice is imported, and more than 40% of our imported orange juice comes from Brazil. -Half of our fresh fruit comes from overseas, and that amount has doubled in the last 35 years. Only 7% of our apples are imported, but 85% of our apple JUICE is.--Most of our seafood is imported. 86% of shrimp, salmon, and tilapia comes from overseas. That's up 30% from 20 years ago.--Overall, 16.8% of our food is imported, which is up about 5% from 20 years ago. --If you want to get all patriotic about it, drink GRAPEFRUIT juice. 99% of the grapefruit juice sold in America is grown right here at home. You can also eat cranberries and sweet potatoes, which are almost all grown here. (Yahoo)


Wikipedia is Shutting Down for the Entire Day Tomorrow to Protest Congress's "Stop Online Piracy Act":

If you need to get semi-credible information online tomorrow, you're going to have to dig a little deeper than usual. Because Wikipedia is shutting down for the entire day. It's going dark to protest Congress's "Stop Online Piracy Act", or 'SOPA.' --If you haven't been following SOPA, it's legislation working its way through Congress that's designed to crack down on people sharing links to pirated music and movies. But there's a huge problem with it. --The language in the bill is EXTREMELY vague, and could basically turn into a witch hunt where websites get shut down without due process just because someone filed a complaint. --That means, in theory, if someone posts a tweet to pirated content, Twitter could be shut down and would need to take legal action to get back up. If even one pirated link showed up on Google, it could theoretically be shut down too. --Wikipedia is one of several sites going dark tomorrow to protest SOPA, but it's the most high-profile. Wikipedia gets more than half a billion views every month. --Instead of articles, when you go to Wikipedia starting at midnight Eastern Time tonight, every page will have a message about the blackout and will encourage you to call or write your member of Congress. --Jimmy Wales is the co-founder of Wikipedia. He says, quote, "I hope Wikipedia will melt phone systems in Washington on Wednesday." (Financial Times)


Congress Passed Fewer Bills Last Year Than Any Other Congress on Record:

It's not just your imagination . . . the government really IS doing less than ever before. --According to the final numbers, last year, Congress only passed 80 bills. That's the fewest ever since records started in 1947. --And apparently, most of the ones that did pass were basic housekeeping kinds of bills . . . like naming post offices or extending current laws.--The House of Representatives has a Republican majority . . . the Senate has a Democratic one. With that difference . . . and with the partisan divide in the country getting bigger and bigger . . . getting a significant bill through is REALLY tough. --Now . . . there is a difference between "progress" and "passing bills." Some bills SHOULDN'T be passed. --But a study also found that this Congress has basically been spinning its wheels. It had the fewest bills signed into laws by the president than any Congress ever . . . and also spent more time in session than almost any other Congress. --And naturally, both parties have blamed each other for the lack of progress. A spokesman for HARRY REID, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, said the Republicans in the Senate are engaging in, quote, "obstructionism on steroids." --A spokesman for JOHN BOEHNER, the Republican Speaker of the House, says quote, "We hope the Democrats who run Washington will change course and join us" in passing bills, specifically to create jobs. (Washington Times)


One-in-Three People Pretend They Don't Know Much About Computers . . . So They Don't Have to Do Tech Support for Their Parents:

If you know anything about computers . . . or you don't refer to "Google" as "The Google" . . . you're probably the go-to tech support person for your parents. And sometimes, you really don't want that job. --According to a new survey, HALF of people age 18 to 34 say they're regularly asked for tech help by friends and family. So ONE-IN-THREE pretend NOT to have as much knowledge as they do . . . so they don't have to help. --And that's not just a "selfish generation" thing. 26% of people age 35 to 49 also pretend they don't have the tech skills to help their family and friends sometimes. (PR Wire)





Here's the Scientific Reason Behind Being a Hipster:

Good to see the brilliant minds at Harvard working on the important issues facing our country. Today, we've got the results of a sociology study at Harvard that figured out one scientific reason for why people are HIPSTERS. --The study found that when you like something that's UNDERGROUND and UNKNOWN . . . like, say, an obscure rock band . . . you subconsciously believe that exclusive knowledge makes you HIPPER than other people around you. --And when your friends start liking the same thing, the most common reaction is . . . you STOP liking it so much. To keep your "hip" identity, you have to keep constantly searching for the newest thing. (MSNBC)


The Number of Accidents Involving People Wearing Headphones Has Tripled Since 2004:

According to a new study, the number of injuries and deaths involving vehicles hitting pedestrians wearing headphones has TRIPLED since 2004. --Now . . . the numbers are still SMALL. But it looks like a growing trend, and that's worth getting a little bit worried about. --In 2004, there were 16 cases where pedestrians wearing headphones were hit by cars or trains and injured or killed. Last year, there were 47. --This only counted cases where people were listening to music through headphones, not cases where people were talking on their phones. --Overall, 68% of the victims were male, 67% were under 30, and 70% died. In 29% of the cases, reports said that the victim didn't hear horns or sirens before the crash. --So look. Not THAT many pedestrians have been hurt or killed because they're wearing headphones and blasting music. But the numbers are going up, and these are truly AVOIDABLE injuries and deaths. So let's be safe out there, okay? (Los Angeles Times)


60% of Us Let Our Dogs Lick Our Face . . . and It's Really Unhealthy:

Apparently it's NOT a good idea to let your dog lick your face.--According to a survey by Greenies . . . a company that makes dental chews for dogs . . . more than 60% of us let our dogs lick our face. --Which isn't a good idea . . . because that old saying that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's mouth is a myth. --Your dog licks the ground AND his own genitals. His mouth ISN'T clean . . . and when he licks your face, he can transfer bacteria that could potentially make you sick. (PR Newswire)


The New Powerball Lottery Has Begun . . . Double the Price, Slightly Better Odds:

It just got twice as expensive to become a multimillionaire overnight. --As of this week, it now costs $2 for a single Powerball lottery ticket. They used to cost $1. --And no, for double the price, you WON'T get double the odds of winning. You'll get SLIGHTLY better odds at winning a prize . . . from one-in-35 before, to one-in-32 now. --Of course, that includes ALL prizes . . . even the couple of bucks you get for just getting the Powerball number right. --The big jackpot will now start at $40 MILLION instead of $20 MILLION. Your odds of taking down the full jackpot . . . getting all five numbers correct and the Powerball correct too . . . are about one in 195 million. --At this point, 42 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands all participate in the Powerball lottery. (NBC 3 - Chattanooga)



An 85-Year-Old Woman Was Critically Injured By a Falling Cat . . . Thrown By an Arguing Couple:

Here's a helpful relationship tip: No matter how angry your wife makes you, don't throw the family pet at her. --A married couple in Buenos Aires, Argentina got into a heated argument on Saturday. (--They weren't named, and we're not sure what caused their fight.) --At one point, the husband grabbed the family cat and threw it at his wife. -She was able to dodge the flying cat . . . but unfortunately she was standing in front of an open window at the time. --The cat flew out the window of their fourth floor apartment, fell to the street below . . . and LANDED on the HEAD of their 85-year-old neighbor, a former opera singer named Betty. (--Her last name wasn't released.) --Betty suffered a fractured skull. She was taken to the hospital, and is on a ventilator in critical condition. --The cat didn't survive the fall, and so far, it doesn't look like the couple's been charged with anything. (The Mirror)
THE GOOD NEWS


A Guy is Repairing His 1979 GMC Pickup . . . So His Newborn Grandson Comes Home in the Same Truck His Kids Did:

Well, we've told you about all of today's nonsense, chaos, and stupidity. Now here's "The Good News." --Jerry Black lives in Shelby, North Carolina, and like any good Southerner, he has an old pickup truck. (--Shelby is 40 miles west of Charlotte.)
--His 1979 GMC pickup has been in the family since it was new, although he doesn't drive it anymore. Jerry's daughter, Jennifer Heavner, remembers the family taking the truck on trips to Lake Norman and Myrtle Beach when she was a kid. --But the truck has another special memory for Jerry: It's what he drove Jennifer home from the hospital in when she was born in 1983. It also carried his newborn son home in 1985. --Jennifer's all grown up and married now, and she's expecting her first son any day now. --So Jerry's been busy fixing the truck's brakes and getting it road ready . . . so his grandson can ride home from the hospital in the same truck his mom did. --Jennifer is on board with the new family tradition. She said, quote, "I'm really excited we're able to do this. He brought both of his children home in it and now, a grandchild." (Gaston Gazette) (--Here's a picture of Jerry, a very pregnant Jennifer, and her husband Jeff, in front of the truck.)


RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS

Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


Obviously Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak loves the iPhone . . . but he says the Google Android system is better in some ways. (Full Story)


On Saturday, three hours into a British Airways flight from Miami to London, the crew accidentally played a pre-recorded warning announcement that said, quote, "This is an emergency, we will shortly be making an emergency landing on water." (Full Story)


Check out 10 cars you should trade in NOW if you want to get the maximum value, including the Jeep Wrangler, Mini Cooper, and Toyota Tacoma. (Full Story)


The founder of the Cracker Barrel chain of restaurants has died, at age 76. (Full Story)



STUPID VIDEOS OF THE DAY

#1.) (NC-17) A "Jeopardy!" Contestant Guessed "Donkey Punch":

A contestant on last night's "Jeopardy!" gave a pretty dirty response, but you have to know obscure slang to get it. Here's the question Alex Trebek read: Quote, "A blow to the back of the neck is the punch named for this animal." --The correct answer was "rabbit," as in a "rabbit punch." But a contestant from Gainesville, Georgia named Mike Hatch decided to go with "DONKEY." You couldn't see Trebek's reaction, but it sounded like even HE wanted to laugh. (--CAREFUL: If you've never heard of it, "donkey punch" is a slang term for a sexual act that involves punching a woman in the back of the head during sex from behind.) (--Search for "Man Guesses Donkey Punch on Jeopardy.")


#2.) And Now . . . Movie Characters Edited Together to Sing Lionel Richie's "Hello":

This isn't as good as the video from last week of Obama singing Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", but someone took clips from different movies, and pieced together the lyrics to the LIONEL RICHIE song, "Hello". --They used clips from "E.T.", "Braveheart", "Back to the Future", "Schindler's List", "Avatar", "Borat", and about 30 other movies. (--Search for "Lionel Richie Hello Movie Montage.")

#3.) Check Out Two New Parodies of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" . . . Starring He-Man and Elmo:

Apparently parodies of the LMFAO song "Sexy and I Know It" are the new "thing" on YouTube: There's one that uses clips from the '80s "He-Man" cartoon series . . . so it looks like He-Man is doing all the singing. --Then there's also a kid-friendly parody called "I'm Elmo and I Know It" that uses clips from "Sesame Street", and has all new lyrics about being a furry, red puppet that doesn't wear any clothes. (--Search for "LMFAO He-Man Mash-Up" and "I'm Elmo and I Know It.")


Four Ways to Feel Younger:

If you're starting to feel old, check out this list from Health.com. According to them, if you do the four things on this list you'll actually FEEL a lot younger than you are.

#1.) Go to Bed Earlier. Obviously, more sleep equals more energy. But you have to make it a habit. Getting eight hours of sleep doesn't make a huge difference if you go right back to getting SIX hours the next night. --And since you probably can't wake up any later than you already do, going to bed earlier is the only way to make sure you're always rested. --After six straight weeks of getting eight hours a night, you'll have more energy, and the dark circles under your eyes will start to fade.


#2.) When You Exercise, Focus More on Your Lower Body and Your Core. Men in particular tend to concentrate on upper-body workouts, which are fine --But if you're feeling old, try doing more lower-body exercises . . . like squats, lunges, calf-raises, or just plain old running. --Stronger legs and a stronger core will make you feel lighter on your feet.


#3.) Break Out of Your Routine. Even if you eat right and exercise every day, you'll start feeling old if you don't mix things up a little. --According to Caroline Adams Miller, author of the book "Creating Your Best Life", quote, "The brain craves novelty. To feel younger, you have to stimulate it with new associations and new things." --And those things can be small, like getting your morning cup of coffee from a different place than usual, or trying a new route to work.


#4.) Listen to an Album You Loved 20 Years Ago. Researchers at Harvard University found that when they exposed people to movies, music, and memorabilia from their youth, they were happier and experienced fewer health issues. --Some of them even saw improvements in their vision and memory. (Health.com)