A new survey by Sandelman and Associates, a market research and consumer-trends firm, shows that customers mostly prefer regional or smaller national fast food and chain restaurants to gigantic soul-destroying megafood joints like McDonald's. Top 10 Chains in Customer Satisfaction:
In-N-Out Burger, Irvine, Calif., 60%
Raising Cane's, Baton Rouge, La., 59%
Giordano's Pizza, Chicago, 56%
Chick-fil-A, Atlanta, 55%
Panera Bread, St. Louis, 54%
Chipotle, Denver, 52%
Pei Wei, Scottsdale, Ariz., 51%
Firehouse Subs, Jacksonville, Fla., 51%
Taco Tote, El Paso, Texas, 50%
Qdoba, Wheat Ridge, Colo., 49%
IN AND OUT IS THE BEST! Here is a list of their secret menu.
The Hidden In-N-Out Burger (aka In and Out Burger) - The Most Accurate Secret Menu On The Web
In-N-Out Burger has a secret unpublished menu for insiders who are in-the-know. Next time you're at In-N-Out (i.e. tomorrow . . . or maybe tonight), order a bag of these off-the-menu specials:
"3-by-3" = three meat patties and three slices of cheese.
"4-by-4" = four meat patties and four slices of cheese.
"2-by-4" = two meat patties and four slices of cheese.
*Note: You may get a burger with the exact number of meat patties or cheese slices you want (up to 4x4). Just tell the In-N-Out Burger cashier how many meat patties and how much cheese you want and that is what you'll get! For instance, if you want 4 pieces of meat and 3 pieces of cheese tell them you want a "4-by-3."
"Double Meat" = like a Double Double without cheese.
"3 by Meat" = three meat patties and no cheese.
"Animal Style" = the meat is cooked and fried with mustard and then pickles are added, extra spread and grilled onions are added.
"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).
"Protein Style" = for all you low-carbohydrate dieters, this is a burger with no bun (wrapped in lettuce).
"Flying Dutchman" = two meat patties, two slices of melted cheese and nothing else - not even a bun!
Fries "Well-Done" = extra crispy fries . . . even better than the regular!
Fries "Light" = opposite of fries well-done, more raw than most people like 'em
"Grilled Cheese" = no meat, just melted cheese, tomato, lettuce and spread on a bun.
"Veggie Burger" = burger without the patty or cheese. Sometimes we call this the "Wish Burger."
"Neapolitan" Shake = strawberry, vanilla and chocolate mixed together.
The friendly employees of In-N-Out Burger will take your special order without question, if you use the right terminology. The printed receipt will have your special request typed on it just as we said it.
Just 3 questions and the answers will surprise you. This is fun to do, but you have to follow the instructions very closely. Do not cheat. Get pencil and paper to write your answers as you go along. Put the following 5 animals in the order of your preference:
Cow
Tiger
Sheep
Horse
Pig
Write one word that describes each one of the following:
Dog
Cat
Rat
Coffee
Sea
Think of someone (who also knows you and is important to you) that you can relate them to the following colors. (Please do not repeat your answer twice. Name just one person for each color.)
Yellow
Orange
Red
White
Green
Answer interpretations:
This will define your priorities in your life.
Cow: signifies "career"
Tiger signifies "pride"
Sheep signifies "love"
Horse signifies "family"
Pig signifies "money"
Your description of dog implies "your own personality"
Your description of cat implies the "personality of your partner"
Your description of rat implies the "personality of your enemies"
Your description of coffee is how you interpret "sex"
Your description of the sea implies "your own life"
Yellow: Someone you will never forget
Orange: Someone you consider your true friend
Red: Someone that you really love
White: Your twin soul
Green: Someone that you will remember for the rest of your life.
According to a report from the Census Bureau, women and men who married in the late 1970s had a less than 50% chance of still being married 25 years later. Check out these numbers:
80% of first marriages that took place in the late 1950s lasted at least 15 years.
Only 61% of first marriages from the 1980s were still going strong 15 years later.
70% of Americans married in the 1950s celebrated a 25th wedding anniversary.
Only 48% of people married in the 1970s kept the marriage together for 25 years.
On average, people who marry again typically do so in about three-and-a-half years.
Med students are among those most sought after for marriage. Yes, the top job that attracts lovers is a doctor, according to an international survey by Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group. On the other hand, actors, musicians, journalists and advertisers are among those whom people trust the least and are the least likely professions from which to choose a mate. The profession ranked the highest were doctors (16%), education (14%) and science % technology (10%). Ranked the lowest for marriage material were retail (1%), media and marketing (2%) and entertainers (3%).
Thank you for all the phone calls this morning on your favorite Super Bowl commercials. I did my best to find as many as I could. Check them out below and GO CARDINALS!!!
Faith Hill is gearing up to sing "America the Beautiful" at the Super Bowl this Sunday when the Arizona Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tampa, Florida. Hill is expected to perform prior to the official kickoff at 4:20 p.m. Hill is no stranger to the Super Bowl. She sang the national anthem back in 2000 in Atlanta. Still -- Hill tells the NFL Network that she's anxious about this weekend's performance:
"It's definitely the biggest stage. It's the biggest one by far. The nerves are huge. I have to say when I sang the national anthem, I never had experienced anything like that before. I thought I was cool and I'd be fine. And right before I walked out it was terrifying. I thought that I would never put myself in that position again, and here I am back."
Hill tells the NFL Network she was honored to get the call to perform: "I couldn't refuse it. I love the NFL. They have been so generous to me. And it's just the greatest game in the world. And to sing America the Beautiful, I'm just honored to be back. And I'm just excited."
* The only other artists who have sung "America the Beautiful" before a Super Bowl are Vikki Carr (Super Bowl XI), Ray Charles (Super Bowl XXXV) and Alicia Keys (Super Bowl XXXIX).
KENNY CHESNEY SUFFERS FOR HIS FAME
Kenny Chesney bought a $5.7 million home in Key West, Florida last year, but has since changed his mind about moving in. Apparently news that the superstar would be living on the island at least some of the time has created such a frenzy that Chesney has opted to put the house back on the market.
He issued a statement saying, "It's funny how you can be moving out before you even move in. I may've been naive to think I could just go down to the Keys and disappear, because that was the idea. I wanted to find a place where I could just be, and thought I'd found it. But with all the buzz since we signed the papers, the last thing I want to do to someplace I love as much as Key West is change the dynamics, especially for the locals who have been so good to me, so, I'm stopping the insanity before it begins. The 'For Sale' sign is back up, and I'm just not going to be able to take possession of the house."
* The house is nearly 7,000 square feet and boasts five bedrooms and seven full baths.
SIDE NOTES
* Chesney is still trying to sell a multi-million dollar mansion he purchased in Malibu, California last year. * His other properties include homes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and in Franklin, Tennessee.
MONTGOMERY GENTRY MEMBER PLANS FOR QUIET SUPER BOWL
It looks like a low-key Super Bowl Sunday (February 1st) for Montgomery Gentry's Troy Gentry. The singer tells us his plans started off big but will end up pretty tame. "We've talked about having a party at our house. (We've) talked about going to parties, and it's dwindled down now to we may just quietly sit home with the family, order pizza and watch football for awhile and go to bed. I mean, there's not a whole lot of interest in it for me this year with the Titans being gone, the Eagles are out of it. If I'm pulling for anybody this year I'm kind of pulling for the Cardinals."
Gentry says the Cardinals have become his friend and fellow singer Blake Shelton's favorite team. According to Gentry, Shelton wasn't really into NFL football until a friend took the time to explain the game to him. "The reason he got into it is one night he sat in front of the TV with a buddy of his, and one of the teams that were on was the Cardinals, and he was explaining the game to him about NFL watching the Cardinals play, so that kind of became his team, so I'm kind of rootin' for the Cardinals now and pulling for Blake."
* The Super Bowl game between the Cardinals and the Steelers will air live on NBC. Kick off is at 4:28 p.m. * In other Montgomery Gentry news, the duo will host the inaugural "Country on the Beach" event to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. The all-inclusive trip will take place from December 3rd through the 6th a the Beach Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The trip will offer fans such activities as local tours, celebrity auctions, volleyball, karaoke, a poolside/Oceanside clambake, celebrity bartending, spa experiences, water sports, a celebrity golf tournament at the Riviera Cancun Golf Resort, and private receptions and performances by Montgomery Gentry and special guests. * For more information or to make reservations log onto travelininc.com or call (888) 473-8856.
DIERKS BENTLEY ALBUM SEES EARLY RELEASE ON MYSPACE
Dierks Bentley's brand new album, Feel That Fire, began streaming at myspace.com on Thursday (January 29th). This is the first country album premiere for MySpace Music. Bentley's album won't officially be released until Tuesday (February 3rd).
* Bentley said, "I know everybody always says it, but I REALLY mean it when I say that this is the best album I've ever made...we came off the road for the first time in six years and took our time to make sure it was just right."
FAST FACTS
* Feel That Fire is Bentley's fourth album. * His self-titled debut CD was released in 2003. * Bentley has charted five Number One hits since then.
JAKE OWEN PROVES HE'S NO FLASH IN THE PAN
The debut single from Jake Owen's upcoming album is doing for the singer what he had hoped -- giving him an identity. Owen co-wrote the song, which he tells us is helping fans to put a name with a face and a voice. "I thought that this song for sure would be the song that kind of takes me from being a guy that has had a few hits to kind of people like really recognizing who I am cause I don't think I really got to showcase who I was as a singer. I think this song really lets me sing. I love to sing. It's what I moved to town for."
Owen says the song is also proving that despite his previous success with "Yee Haw" and "Startin' With Me," he's no one-hit wonder, so to speak. "It's a well, simply-written song. The music's just kind of identifiable. It was the first time I've gone to radio with a song where they were like, 'Okay, we believe you now.' They kind of understood that I wasn't just like gonna bring 'em 'Yee Haw' and then never talk to 'em or see 'em ever again because I was here and gone."
* Owen debuted "Don't Think I Can't Love You" last June during CMA Music Festival in Nashville before a live audience at LP Field. * His new album, Easy Does It, will be released on February 24th. * "Don't Think I Can't Love You" is a Top 15 hit on the country charts.
JESSICA SIMPSON THANKS FANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT
Jessica Simpson alluded to the media's recent focus on her weight during a performance in Charlottesville, Virginia, Thursday night, telling the crowd, "Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder. I feel like in our world today we focus on so many things that are completely pointless." While never mentioning the recent media coverage specifically, she did thank the fans for their support.
* Simpson opened for Rascal Flatts at the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena. * Simpson wore black pants, a V-neck T-shirt and a hip-length black jacket.
ALISON KRAUSS, KID ROCK ADDED TO GRAMMY PERFORMERS
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, along with Kid Rock, are among the latest additions to the lineup of performers at the Grammy Awards. Previously announced performers include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, the Jonas Brothers, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, T.I., Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Kanye West.
* The 51st annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 8th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will air live on CBS beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.
FAST FACTS
* Krauss and Plant together have five Grammy nominations this year -- Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for Raising Sand, Record of the Year for "Please Read The Letter," Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Rich Woman," and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Killing The Blues." * Underwood is nominated for Best Country Female Vocal Performance for "Last Name." * Chesney is up for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Shiftwork" with George Strait.
# Men who are more sexually active in their 20s and 30s could face a far higher risk of developing prostate cancer later in life, according to a new study from researchers at Britain's Nottingham University.
# Kim Manners, the director and producer of "The X-Files" died on January 25 in Los Angeles of complications from lung cancer. He was 58.
# Elisabeth Hasselbeck of "The View" announced Thursday that she's pregnant with her third child, due in August.
# British singer-songwriter John Martyn, whose songs were covered by the likes of Eric Clapton, died Thursday. He was 60.
# The stunt man for Daniel Radcliffe in all those Harry Potter movies was injured this week on the set of another movie from an explosion.
# Michelle Obama will join her husband at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in March, at the Washington, DC, location.
# Now Donny Osmond says he won't be on "Dancing with the Stars" this spring.
# James Brady, a longtime celebrity columnist for Parade magazine, died Monday at age 80.
# The 45th anniversary edition of Mary Poppins is out this week on DVD. Just a spoonful of bonus features.
# Joan Rivers has two new books coming out this year, including a "tell-all" about her many cosmetic surgery procedures.
# Drew Barrymore says she's single because she can't find a guy that deserves her.
Are you ready for the Super Bowl? Here's your Friday Sports!
(AP) - Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says practice Thursday was "really good" for the NFC Champions as they get ready for the Super Bowl Sunday. Whisenhunt watched running back J.J. Arrington go through a limited workout for the second straight day. Arrington missed all of last week's practices with a sore right knee.
Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1 Tampa, Fla. Arizona vs. Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.
(AP) - The Phoenix Suns were throttled last night by the San Antonio Spurs. Manu Ginobili made 18 free throws without a miss and finished with 30 points, and Tony Parker added 26 points in the Spurs' 114-104 victory. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 28 points and 10 rebounds. (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal has been named to the NBA All-Star game for the 15th time after being snubbed last year. O'Neal and Suns teammate Amare Stoudemire are Western Conference reserves for the Feb. 15 game at Phoenix. (AP) - Lucas Glover and James Nitties are clubhouse co-leaders through 18 holes of the PGA's FBR Open in Scottsdale. Glover and Nitties shot 6-under-par 65s on the TPC course for a one-stroke edge over Charley Hoffman and David Berganio, Jr. Play was called by darkness with nine players still on the course.
(AP) - Top-ranked Rafael Nadal is taking on fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco for a berth in the Australian Open final. Roger Federer already advanced to the final with a straight-sets win over Andy Roddick a day ago. NBA Thursday's Games Orlando 99, Cleveland 88 San Antonio 114, Phoenix 104 Friday's Games Miami at Indiana, Milwaukee at Toronto, Boston at Detroit, Washington at Philadelphia, New Jersey at Atlanta, L.A. Clippers at Cleveland, L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, Charlotte at Denver, Oklahoma City at Utah, Golden State at New Orleans, Chicago at Sacramento, NHL Thursday's Games New Jersey 4, Boston 3, OT Carolina 3, Tampa Bay 2 N.Y. Islanders 5, Atlanta 4 Florida 5, Montreal 1 Dallas 4, Detroit 2 Ottawa 3, St. Louis 1 Toronto 7, Colorado 4 San Jose 2, Phoenix 0 Los Angeles 5, Chicago 2
Friday's Games Ottawa at Columbus, Pittsburgh at New Jersey, Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, Minnesota at Edmonton, Nashville at Calgary, Top 25 Men's Basketball
Thursday's Games
( 9) Michigan St. 71 Iowa 56 (12) Clemson 86 Virginia Tech 82 Washington St. 65 (14) Arizona St. 55 (17) UCLA 81 California 66 Minnesota 59 (19) Illinois 36 (20) Gonzaga 69 (22) Saint Mary's, Calif. 62 Arizona 106 (23) Washington 97 Friday
(13) Butler vs. Valparaiso, 7 p.m. Top-25 Women's College Basketball Thursday's Games
(18) Florida St. 82 ( 3) Duke 75, OT Georgia 67 ( 5) Auburn 58 ( 7) California 64 UCLA 48 ( 9) Stanford 81 Southern Cal 53 (10) North Carolina 77 Wake Forest 66 (12) Florida 74 Kentucky 59 (13) Tennessee 60 Mississippi 59 (15) Ohio St. 52 Michigan 44 (20) Vanderbilt 72 Arkansas 61, OT Friday
( 8) Maryland at (19) Virginia, 7 p.m. (21) Pittsburgh vs. Marquette, 7 p.m. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says the team is trying to stick to its regular practice routine at the Buccaneers' practice facility, despite the unusual nature of Super Bowl week. He says the Cards' practice tempo is as good as it's been all season. Free agent pitcher Jon Garland and the Arizona Diamondbacks have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that includes a club option for 2010. The deal guarantees the right-hander about $7 million. Last year, Garland went 14-8 with a 4.90 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels, his highest ERA in a full season. Tonight's pro sports schedule has the Phoenix Suns playing the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center and the Phoenix Coyotes visiting the San Jose Sharks. In Pac-10 college basketball tonight: No. 14 Arizona State will host Washington State and Arizona will be at home against Washington.
Last night in the NBA...
Indiana 107, Milwaukee 99 Toronto 107, New Jersey 106 Boston 119, Sacramento 100 New York 112, Atlanta 104 Miami 93, Washington 71 Detroit 98, Minnesota 89 New Orleans 94, Denver 81 Oklahoma City 114, Memphis 102, OT Philadelphia 95, Houston 93 Dallas 117, Golden State 93 Portland 88, Charlotte 74 Chicago 95, L.A. Clippers 75
Last night in the NHL...
Pittsburgh 6, N.Y. Rangers 2 Calgary 5, Buffalo 2 Chicago 3, Anaheim 2 Nashville 5, Vancouver 3 This is the opening day of play the 2009 FBR Open. Former Arizona State star Phil Mickelson will be making his 2009 PGA Tour debut in the tournament, which is being played at the TPC Scottsdale.
Second seed Serena Williams will go for her fourth Australian Open title when she takes on No. 3 Dinara Safina in the final. Williams beat Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-4 to earn the right to face Safina, who knocked off Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6. On the men's side, Roger Federer advances to the final after beating Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5. Duke has been beaten just two days after becoming the top team in the AP men's basketball poll, falling at No. 6 Wake Forest 70-68. The Demon Deacons blew a 13-point lead late in the game before James Johnson hit a tiebreaking layup with 0.8 seconds left. Football coach Bobby Bowden has signed a one-year contract to coach a 34th season at Florida State. FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher must replace Bowden by January 2011 or the school will owe him $5 million. Bowden's 382 career coaching wins are one fewer than Penn State's Joe Paterno, the all-time leader among major college coaches. The Chicago Cubs have added a veteran reliever, acquiring right-hander Aaron Heilman from the Seattle Mariners for utilityman Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Garrett Olson. Heilman was traded to the Mariners in December after going 3-and-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 78 games for the New York Mets last year. Cedeno hit .269 in 99 games for Chicago in 2008 while Olson went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA for Baltimore. Twenty federal agents raided the home of the mother-in-law of Barry Bonds' personal trainer on Wednesday. Madeleine Gestas and her daughter Nicole Anderson, the trainer's wife, are the target of a tax investigation that the lawyer for Greg Anderson said is aimed at pressuring the trainer to testify at Bonds' upcoming trial.
JENNIFER ANISTON HAS MOST DESIRED CELEB BODY:Jennifer Aniston bumped Gisele Bundchen to claim the top spot on the 12th annual "Famed Hottest Looks" list compiled by the co-directors of The Beverly Hills Institute of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery. According to the majority of their clients, Aniston has the most desired female figure, followed by Bundchen and Jessica Biel. The most sought-after celeb lips are Angelina Jolie while those with skin complexion in mind hope to emulate Cate Blanchett. Among the hottest heads of hair in Hollywood are the locks belonging to Isla Fisher, Blake Lively and Amanda Seyfried.
ANGELINA JOLIE WORE BACKWARDS DRESS TO SAG AWARDS:Angelina Jolie's stylist confirmed blog reports that the superstar wore her dress backwards at Sunday's (January 25th) SAG Awards. Jen Radle told Usmagazine.com that Jolie purposely turned around the dress -- which was Azria's spring 2009 collection -- to make it "more blouson." The plunging would-be neckline also allowed the mother-of-six to show off her tattoos.
DEBBIE MATENOPOULOS DEFENDS SELF AGAINST ESTRANGED HUSBAND'S CLAIMS:Debbie Matenopoulos is denying her estranged husband's claims that she's paying for nothing while living in their multimillion-dollar Los Angeles home. Jay Faires, who filed for divorce from the E! host last November, filed court papers seeking spousal support, claiming Matenopoulos "continuously lived beyond" their means during the five-year marriage. She told People magazine, "I am incredibly offended by these gross accusations and false claims that have no merit. I am very proud to say, not only do I currently pay my own expenses, I also did so for the entire duration of our marriage." A hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 23rd.
NEW MAN FOR PAMELA ANDERSON:Pamela Anderson's latest man is reportedly a scuba diver that she met in the Malibu trailer park she's been staying in until work is completed on her home. A source told Us magazine, "She is more in love than I have ever seen her before. He's a totally moral, nice, normal guy." The couple met when 42-year-old Jamie Padgett picked Anderson up in his golf cart and offered her a ride to the beach.
BART SIMPSON VOICE USES CHARACTER TO PROMOTE SCIENTOLOGY EVENT: Nancy Cartwright, who voices Bart on the animated Fox hit, The Simpsons, is using the character's name and voice to promote an upcoming Hollywood Scientology event in Los Angeles. Cartwright opens the ad by saying, "This is Bart Simpson," before admitting to the joke and identifying herself. Resuming Bart's voice, she announces the event and says, "It's gonna be a blast, man!"
JANE KRAKOWSKI AND AARON SORKIN DATING?30 Rock star Jane Krakowski and The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin are reportedly TV's hottest new couple. Star magazine reports in its new issue that the two are dating and buzzfoto.com claims that the pair met up at Beverly Hills High School last Saturday (January 24th) to watch his daughter's basketball game. Afterwards they reportedly went in separate cars to Sorkin's house, where Krakowski appeared to stay for the night.
COSMO'S GUYS YOU THINK YOU SHOULD DATE... BUT SHOULDN'T
Adrenaline Junkie -- This dude skydives, surfs, runs with the bulls anything for the rush. And he has the sick abs and chiseled arms to prove it. But to keep him happy, you need to be in perpetual motion, too. This guy does not like to sit on his ass and he doesn't like for you to sit on yours either. And it isn't just a phase. In his late 30s, he'll get into marathons, and they'll lead to triathlons and eventually to the Ironman competition. Yeah, that means a trip to Hawaii but instead of chilling on the beach, you'll be cheering him on from the sidelines. Having fun yet?
Nice Guy With a Chip on His Shoulder -- He'll ridicule the "tools who are trying too hard" with bold clothing choices to seem down-to-earth, but here's his dirty little secret: He spends just as much time picking out his outfit as his more fashion-conscious counterparts do. Under the casual exterior is a calculating killjoy with mom issues. He'll stand at the bar, thinking 'Why is that girl going for that dude over there? One day, she'll come to her senses and get with a nice guy like me!' The truth is, he's so preoccupied with being overlooked that he'd be totally oblivious to your attention.
Smooth Operator-- He's the type that rolls up to the club in an Escalade and holds court in the VIP section, ordering bottle service all night. Though he got Ds in high school, he now scores A, B, and C cups with entertaining small talk and name-dropping. Yeah, he's a Casanova in a skull cap, it replaced his trucker hat about a year ago. But this lid spells trouble. It takes confidence to pull it off with a straight face, too much confidence. There "is" such a thing. He'll shower you with attention, but beware: You may not be the only chick in that shower.
Workaholic Hotshot-- This guy is always dressed to the nines, because he's loaded. Simmer down the cash flow comes at a price. He toils until the wee hours, then loosens his tie and parties like there's no tomorrow. Unfortunately, there is tomorrow, and it starts in like three hours. What little time he has for you will be shared with his BlackBerry. The ugly truth: Money is the love of his life, and you're just a mistress or second mistress, since he's probably crunching more than numbers with his secretary. (Cosmopolitan)
Shaunti Feldhahn, a syndicated newspaper columnist and author of "For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men," offers these ten things guys wish women knew about men:
Men would rather feel unloved than inadequate and disrespected
A man's anger is often a response to feeling disrespected by his wife
Men are insecure
Men feel the burden of being the provider for their family
Men want more sex (duh!)
Sex means more than sex
Men struggle with visual temptation
Men enjoy romance, but doubt their skills to be romantic
Men care about their wife's appearance
Men want their wives to know how much they love them
In Elko, Nevada, a 19-year-old burglary suspect may not be the best criminal in the world, but he's one tough cookie! Sheriff's deputies said the teen had to be zapped with a Taser twice and bitten by a police dog three times before he finally stopped struggling with officers during his arrest. Police responded to a 911 call about a prowler at 3am when they spotted footprints in the snow by the home's doors, windows and even on the top of an air conditioning unit. So they brought out Besmo, the police dog, who caught the scent and led them to the suspect who was sitting in his vehicle and appeared intoxicated. When the guy refused to remove his hands from his sweat shirt pocket and exit the vehicle, the dog was ordered to jump through an open window and help extract him. Deputies pulled him to the ground but he still wouldn't comply so the dog was ordered to bite him again. Still unfazed, the suspect was zapped with a Taser but still wouldn't give up. A third attack by the dog and another blast from the stun gun finally did the trick. He's been charged with attempted burglary, obstructing an officer and destruction of private property. (myway.com)
We Love You Boss. We'll Work For Free! DONT GET ANY IDEAS CRAIG!
Dave Barham must be the best boss in the world. The owner of Mr. B's Pancake House in Muskegon, Michigan, has come on some challenging times as business has declined due to the economic recession. So to help out, lead server Mary VanDam asked co-workers if they might be willing to work one shift without pay to help Dave out. All 17 servers, cooks, busboys, dishwashers, cashiers and hostesses agreed and worked the day shift on January 18 for only tips from customers. VanDam said, "This is a wonderful business. We want to see it succeed." When customers heard about the workers' effort, they tipped a little more. The workers divided the tips equally and each took home $51. VanDam said Barham met his payroll more than once by dipping into his own pockets. (Muskegon Chronicle)
Prolonged use of your cell phone can render you unable to hear consonants like "s," "f," "t," and "z." A study of more than 100 cell phone addicts discovered that those who yak on the device for more than 60 minutes a day can expect to experience hearing loss and, perhaps, become unable to follow conversations. Signs to watch out for include ear warmth and fullness and ringing in the ears. Using ear phones, rather than holding the phone up to your ear, may provide some protection. And if that's not enough, Cosmopolitan reports dialing a handheld device while driving increase the risk of a crash or near crash by nearly three times.
Believe it or not, we spend 70% less time at work...
than our ancestors did a century ago, but our leisure time hasn't increased at all, says a recent National Bureau of Economic Research study. As it turns out, we're devoting more "free" time to education, and we've also upped our housework hours. You might think the advent of appliances and technology would make for fewer hours scrubbing and scouring, but it seems we've gone and raised our spick-and-span standards in reaction, say the study's authors.
It's that time of year when the Girl Scouts are asking you to buy Girl Scout cookies. But this year, if you order that box of Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs or Lemon Chalet Creme cookies, you may be in a for a big surprise. They've been downsized. AOL's WalletPop.com reports that a representative for the Girl Scouts blames it on flour prices, which are up 30%, and cocoa prices, which have soared 20%.
FAITH HILL MAKES SUPER BOWL HISTORY WITH THIS WEEKEND'S PERFORMANCE
Faith Hill's Super Bowl appearance this weekend will be history-making. She will be the first artist to ever perform both the National Anthem and "America The Beautiful" in the Super Bowl pre-show, in addition to becoming only the fourth artist in Super Bowl history to sing "America The Beautiful." While Hill isn't singing the National Anthem at Sunday's game, she did perform it at the Super Bowl in Atlanta in 1999.
* Hill said, "I love a good football game, but I'm not making any predictions just yet. But the chance to perform this song, especially during these times, is especially meaningful to me. I'm just so grateful to have been given the opportunity." * As the voice of NBC's Sunday Night Football for the past two years, Hill recorded a new Super Bowl opener in Nashville earlier this month.
FAST FACTS
* The Super Bowl between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers takes place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff takes place at 4:28 p.m. AZ time. The game airs live on NBC.
DIERKS BENTLEY LIKES BEING ACCESSIBLE TO THE FANS
Dierks Bentley fans will get a chance to know the singer even better during Thursday night's (January 29th) premiere of the GAC special, Feel That Fire. The show follows the singer to his hockey game, his trip to Japan and even inside his Nashville home. Bentley used to turn down opportunities to bring the media into his personal life, but he tells us that these days he's gotten a lot more comfortable with it:
"Yeah, it's a slippery slope. Initially you say no to everything and then you start saying yes to something. 'Okay, we'll do a People magazine thing,' and then they wanna shoot about the baby . . . 'Oh, alright,' then once you do that you're like, 'You know what? Who cares. Come on in, check it out.' I've never overly ridden that public/private line too much. I mean, your house is like, pretty . . . It's like your last kind of thing there, but now it's like it's wide open, which is great. I've always kind of lived that way anyway."
Bentley adds that he's always had an open door policy with his fans:
"I'd like to think I'm one of the more accessible singers to country fans out there in general, the way we do our meet & greets, the way I run the website. It's pretty much wide open. There's no question that's off limits, and I want them to have as much access as they want to have. Even just making this record there's been a lot of behind the scenes stuff that's been available for free on the website, not even the paid part of it. Just go on the front page (and) you can check out how this record was made and a year's worth of footage, so I'm happy to have 'em in there and check it out."
* Dierks Bentley: Feel That Fire airs at 10:00 p.m. ET on GAC. * Bentley also invites CMT cameras inside his home on the newest installment of CMT Cribs. The show also airs Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. ET.
TAYLOR SWIFT'S EIGHT-WEEK CHART RIDE CONTINUES
Taylor Swift's Fearless album maintains its grip on the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart for an eighth week. While sales last week dropped slightly, Swift managed to move 63,000 copies of the project, enough to hold off Beyonce, Nickelback and Britney Spears.
FAST FACTS
* To date, Swift has sold more than two million copies of Fearless. * The album was released in November of 2008.
MONTGOMERY GENTRY CELEBRATE NUMBER ONE, REACT TO LOSS OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD MEMBER
The latest Number One hit from Montgomery Gentry was the reason for celebration at a party in Nashville on Wednesday afternoon (January 28th). Winter weather in Eddie Montgomery's home state of Kentucky kept the singer from attending the event, but Troy Gentry was on hand to acknowledge the feat.
Montgomery Gentry's last single, "Back When I Knew It All," topped the country charts last summer. "Roll With Me" claimed the Number One spot late last year, marking a first for the duo, as Gentry tells us:
"You know, this is another mile marker in Montgomery Gentry history as it's our first back-to-back Number Ones. This is our fifth Number One, but this is the first one we've had back-to-back. (To) put icing on the cake, right before Christmas it was a two-week Number One, which with the record freeze and everything else with radio it makes it a four-week Number One, so it was a great Christmas present for Eddie and I both."
The festive mood of the party took a serious turn when Gentry reacted to the passing of Lynyrd Skynyrd member Billy Powell this week. Gentry got to know Powell when the two acts taped an episode of CMT's popular series, Crossroads, in 2004.
"It's a sad day, I guess, for anybody that grew up on southern rock. We grew up playing a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd songs and have had the pleasure of performing with them onstage, or sharing the stage and onstage together with the CMT show we did with them. It was a big highlight just for Eddie and I just to be able to be around them and Billy Powell's one of the big names -- you know, Lynyrd Skynyrd. He'll definitely be missed, and I'll never forget any of the moments that we shared onstage, on and off."
TOBY KEITH HOPES YOU WANT TO DRESS LIKE HIM
He's thrown his hat into the restaurant business and the acting arena, and now Toby Keith adds clothing designer to his repertoire. The entertainer has created his own clothing line called TK Steelman. The line launches on February 18th at his own I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrah's Las Vegas.
* The line appeals to men in the 25-54 demographic with such attire as long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jeans, cowboy hats, baseball caps, bandanas, belts, and leather wrist straps. * The look mixes the influences Keith brings to his own wardrobe, which are described in a release as a shy; "part rocker and part biker with a country sexy aesthetic. . ." * The line is aimed at retailers like Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart and Macy's. It will eventually expand to women. * It was developed in partnership with Royal Merchandising Group, which already produces merchandise for Keith's restaurants. The launch date coincides with the MAGIC Marketplace convention, the world's largest fashion trade event, taking place from February 17th through the 19th in Las Vegas.
LEANN RIMES WRITES BOOK TO GO ALONG WITH SONG
LeAnn Rimes is making the leap from songwriter to author. The singer is taking a song she co-wrote on her latest album, called "What I Cannot Change," and turning it into a 128-page book. Also called What I Cannot Change, the book features a collection of stories from people who have gone on their own journeys of transformation and will include a CD of the song. Fans can pick up a copy of the book beginning on April 14th.
SIDE NOTES
* Rimes' latest album, Family, was released in 2007. * Rimes is scheduled to present at the upcoming Grammy Awards on February 8th. She is also nominated for Best Favorite Country Female Performance for "What I Cannot Change."
LYNYRD SKYNYRD KEYBOARDIST BILLY POWELL DEAD AT 56
Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell died early Wednesday (January 28th) at his home in Orange Park, Florida, at the age of 56. The Associated Press reported that Powell called 911 at 12:55 a.m. claiming that he was having difficulty breathing. EMS workers performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. Powell had a history of heart problems and had missed an appointment for a cardiac evaluation the day before his death. A police spokesman said that a heart attack is suspected and that no autopsy is planned. Memorial plans are still pending.
The band issued a statement on their official website lynyrdskynyrd.com saying, "A Great Loss -- Beloved Pianist for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Billy Powell, passed away last night. We will post more info shortly. The family and band request your respect and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you."
Billboard reported that the band's future shows have all been postponed. Skynyrd was due to play tomorrow night (January 30th) in Kinder, Louisiana, and on Saturday (January 31st) in Biloxi, Miss. A European tour beginning on May 20th in Finland is still up in the air.
* Powell and founding guitarist Gary Rossington were the only two surviving band members in the group that were in the October 20th, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister backup vocalist Cassie Gaines. Since the crash, guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Leon Wilkeson have also died. Drummer Artimus Pyle has been fired from the band. * Powell started his career with Skynyrd as a roadie, and according to legend, after leader Ronnie Van Zant heard him play the piano part to "Free Bird," he was hired on as a full member. After the plane crash, Powell, Rossington, Collins, and Wilkeson formed the Rossington-Collins Band, and released two albums between 1980 and 1982. * Back in 2004 we caught up with Powell and Rossington. Powell said the ongoing combination of rock and country was inspiring to him, with Rossington adding that he was hopeful it would have a direct benefit on Skynyrd:
(Powell) "We're a rock-and-roll band with a touch of country, and there's a lot of country bands out there, you know, that have a touch of rock-and-roll. And, and it looks like in 2004 there's a crossover thing happening. And I think it's pretty cool, you know, that rock bands are getting more country oriented, and, and vice-versa, I mean, you know, which I think is pretty cool." (Rossington) "Yeah, maybe CMT'll start playing some Skynyrd now."
* Billy Powell, a keyboardist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, died at his northeast Florida home on Wednesday. He was 56. Powell was one of two surviving band members who were with the group before a 1977 plane crash that killed three of its members.
* Author John Updike has passed away, after a short battle with cancer, at age 76. He gave us "Witches of Eastwick."
* David Archuleta will appear on Nickelodeon's iCarly on February 7.
* Director John Landis is suing Michael Jackson, saying he didn't receive his share of the profits from the 1983 video, "Thriller."
* The postmaster general asked Congress on Wednesday to lift the requirement that USPS deliver mail six days a week. If the change happens, Tuesday or Saturdays are likely to be eliminated for delivery of mail.
* Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will take the stage at the Super Bowl on Sunday, and then hit the road on a concert tour April 1.
* What you won't read in Candace Smith's bio as a contestant in the latest round of "Survivor" is that she was once named in a sex tape scandal suit by Colin Farrell.
* Next Monday will be the 50th anniversary of "The Day The Music Died."
* Penelope Cruz was staying at Selma Hayek's house and was planning to sleep through the Oscar nominations... but her host woke her up and made sure she heard her nomination.
* Jennifer Lopez is giving serious thought to starring in a Broadway musical.
* Amy Winehouse says she's going to visit her husband in jail to try and talk him out of filing for divorce.
* The former sales manager for the Philadelphia Soul arena football team is suing club owner Jon Bon Jovi and his partners for nearly $125,000.
* Argentina's president had invited Elton John to get together... but when she postponed their meeting by 5 hours, Elton said, "Forget it" and flew out of the country.
* Just back from their honeymoon, Fergie and new hubby Josh Duhamel say they plan to adopt a child as soon as possible.
* In Denver, a woman gave birth to her baby in a public library.
* Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, has ticked off the creator of the Simpsons because she's using Bart's voice to promote a Scientology event with a pre-recorded, automated call.
* American Idol Runner-up Katharine McPhee was dropped by her record label, but then resigned by another.
* Wow, Meg Ryan's latest movie, "The Deal"... is going direct to DVD. Ouch!
* Now investigators says that Olivia Newton-John's ex-boyfriend staged his own death four years ago and is living on a boat somewhere.
* Sorry to say that a big craze in Hollywood is vandalizing the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Taggers wrote "Old" and "Fur Hag" on Sharon Stone's star the other night.
* American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle's gospel album comes out next month.
(Glamour) Dying for Oreos or chips? Your body may be trying to tell you something about your diet, says Keri Glassman, R.D., a New York City nutritionist. Tune in and avoid packing on the pounds when you crave:
Salty or greasy food -- It could mean you're slightly dehydrated. "Salt holds water in," says Glassman. "Your body may be trying to hang onto the fluids it's got." Aim for eight glasses of water a day.
Candy or chocolate -- It could mean you need protein. Without its slow releasing energy, your body will try to get a quick fix to boost blood sugar. Try a cup of yogurt it has 24 percent of your daily protein total.
Bread or pasta -- It could mean you don't eat enough. Starches are already partially broken down, so your body knows carbs will give it energy fast. Be sure to eat at least 1,200 calories a day.
Experts say the way you shake hands can make or break the kind of impression you project. check out the variety of handshakes below and choose the one that reflects your own personal style. Then read what your hand is telling people.
Lazy -- A handshake with no oomph is considered a sign of weakness or insecurity. Your lack of enthusiasm indicates a total disinterest.
Two hands -- Glad-handing can convey warmth and sincerity, but it may also put off strangers as assuming too much intimacy.
Bone crusher-- You can be proud of your buff bod with-out hurting others. Lighten up before you put someone in the ER.
Pull-- Pulling someone closer while you shake makes others think you're bossy. Try not to come across as so overbearing.
Firm -- Shaking with your full hand while maintaining eye contact is a winner. You're making a statement of confidence and self-esteem.
Underhand -- If you grip with an underhanded move that twists the other person's wrist, you are a total control freak.
Finger snag -- Shaking or squeezing the four fingers of your acquaintance denotes domination -- and it's creepy too.
Flirting is good for you. Studies show that people who flirt have higher white blood-cell counts, which boost their immunity and keep them healthy.
Think it ends at a little eye batting? Hardly -- all told, scientists say there are 52 "flirting signals" used by humans. Of these, the hair flip is the most common.
In some places, flirting is illegal. In Little Rock, AR, an antiquated law is still on the books warning that engaging in playful banter may result in a 30-day jail term. In New York City, another outdated law mandates that men may be fined $25 for gazing lasciviously at a female; a second conviction stipulates the offender wear a pair of blinders whenever he goes out for a walk.
Why wait for Happy Hour? Lots of people get their flirt on during their morning commute. A full 62 percent of drivers have flirted with someone in a different vehicle while on the go, and 31 percent of those flirtations, it turns out, resulted in a date.
Flirting need not occur face to face. According to Pew Research, 40 percent of people who look for love online say they can easily flirt with someone via email or IM.
In the Victorian era, fans were the ultimate playful prop that could communicate all sorts of messages. A fan placed near the heart meant, You have won my love. A half-opened fan pressed to the lips suggested, You may kiss me.
These days, cell phones do the flirting. In one survey, half of all mobile phone users have texted suggestive messages to keep things interesting while away from their amour.
Watch out, you can overdo it. According to the Social Issues Research Centre, the most common mistake people make when flirting is maintaining too much eye contact.
Sometimes, flirty gestures aren't what they seem. Research has shown that men tend to routinely mistake friendly behavior for flirting.
Flirting is universal. A woman living in New York City and one in rural Cambodia may not have much in common, but when it comes to attracting a little attention, they both employ the very same move: smiling, arching their eyebrows, then averting their gaze and giggling.
95% of women are most likely to pay attention to the vehicle's cleanliness both inside and out on their date's car, according to survey by Ford Motor Co. 58% said that the condition of their date's vehicle would at least somewhat impact their attraction to the person.
Having a romantic relationship makes both men and women happier, and the stronger the relationship's commitment, the greater the happiness and sense of well-being of its partners, according to a recent study from Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University. Interestingly, both husbands and wives have a far greater sense of well-being, compared to singles or co-habitators, even if the marriage is not a particularly happy one.
75% of teens online use Instant Messaging for about 40 minutes per day, compared with 42% of adults. Some 20% of teens have used IM to ask someone out and to break up as well. Almost a third of teens admit to saying something in an Instant Message that they wouldn't have said in person.
If you love hip hop music, chances are you have fared better in the bedroom than your friends who prefer country music. Hip hop fans are likely to have had more sexual partners in the last five years than fans of other types of music, according to a study from Britain's University of Leicester.
According to Women's Health, the average person loses 49 minutes of sleep each night when they share a bed with a snorer. And the mag estimates that 30% of women snore with some regularity.
Couples who smooch just for the heck of it have eight times less stress and depression than those who pucker up only when they have sex, a Berman Center Study found.
Teenagers, texting, and driving: Three words you never want to hear in a sentence. These days text messaging has taken over a quick phone call and even a conversation that could take 1
5 minutes, especially with our teens. California is trying to pass a law that does not allow teenagers to text while driving. The argument could be: should anyone be texting while driving. Is this safe? Is it safe for a young teenager or young adult to drive and text, or better yet at any age? We did a poll on our web page and be of people said that all electronic devices should be banned, be the drivers kids or adults.
TICKETS TO KENNY CHESNEY'S PHILLY SHOW GO ON SALE EARLY
Demand for tickets to Kenny Chesney's stadium show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia went on sale yesterday, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. The June 27th Sun City Carnival show will also feature performances from Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.
* Chesney said, "This is our third year in Philadelphia, and it's becoming one of those markets like Boston, where the fans come out and make us feel like a big part of their summer. And you can tell, these fans are invested in the music, in who we are..." * The Sun City Carnival tour stop in Boston on August 15th sold out in less than 10 minutes. This is Chesney's fifth consecutive sold out show at the city's Gillette Stadium.
FAST FACTS
* Chesney's 2008 Poets & Pirates tour was the only one last year to draw more than a million fans. This is the seventh year in a row that Chesney has managed that feat. * The singer recently earned his first Grammy nomination for "Shiftwork," featuring George Strait. Chesney is set to perform live on the 51st Grammy Awards broadcast, which airs on February 8th on CBS.
TRACE ADKINS SAYS IT MIGHT BE WISE TO 'MARRY FOR MONEY'
Trace Adkins is a big fan of his new single, "Marry For Money." Adkins gets a kick out of the funny tune, which he told us could be the answer to someone's financial crisis.
"'Marry For Money'? That's a great song! It's my economic stimulus plan. I think that if everybody that has a lot of money in this country would marry somebody that doesn't, it could solve all our problems. And people that don't have money should try really hard to marry somebody that does."
* "Marry For Money" is featured on Adkins' new album, X (Ten). * Adkins was among the artists celebrating their recent Grammy nominations during a party in Nashville on Monday (January 26th) night. The singer is up for Best Country Male Performance for "You're Gonna Miss This." The 51st annual Grammy Awards takes place February 8th in Los Angeles.
LITTLE BIG TOWN'S OPENING BAND CONTEST DRAWS BIG RESPONSE
The competition to be Little Big Town's opening act is heating up. The group recently announced a contest inviting local bands to compete for the chance to open one of four of Little Big Town's shows in March.
Group member Karen Fairchild told us that response has been incredible.
"I think that like as of yesterday there was like 145 bands had already entered, so now it's up to their fans to vote (for) them. The four of us luckily don't have that pressure, so we don't have the pick. The fans will dictate. Whoever has the most votes will get the opening slot."
Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook recall their early days of trying to be heard:
"(Schlapman) We'll never forget those days. They made us who we are today, and it's so important at that point to just get your music out for people to hear. That's the main goal at that point, cause that's how you grow your grassroots and also, it's really great that we get to give another band that opportunity. (Westbrook) There's so many talented musicians in bands out there, and they deserve to be heard. This is just a great way to do it."
* Little Big Town kicked off their A Place To Land tour last weekend. This is their first headlining tour. * Upcoming shows include Montgomery, Alabama tomorrow (Thursday, January 29th) night, Atlanta, Georgia on Friday (January 30th) and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday (January 31st).
CHUCK WICKS HELPS OUT HOMETOWN IN NEED
Chuck Wicks lent a helping hand to his hometown of Smyrna, Delaware over the weekend. The singer and his girlfriend, Julianne Hough, performed a benefit concert for the local Boys & Girls Club in the gym of Wicks' old high school. Wicks learned of the organization's need for building repairs from his aunt, who happens to be the superintendent of the city's school district. Admission to the event was the purchase of a Chuck Wicks CD. His record label then donated back the cost of the CD to the Boys & Girls Club. More than 6,000 CDs were sold at the show, in addition to auction items. All in all, the fundraiser brought in more than $25,000.
* Wicks told the Smyrna-Clayton Sun Times that he hopes to make the event an annual one. * Wicks plays the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (January 31st).
SIDE NOTES
* Wicks and Hough began dating last August while on Brad Paisley's Paisley Party tour. * Hough recently told People magazine that the two are contemplating marriage.
MICHELLE BRANCH IS ALMOST DONE WITH HER NEW SOLO ALBUM
Michelle Branch is hard at work on a new solo album and recently posted a clip of the new song, "My Way," on her website. There's no word on when the set, tentatively titled Everything Comes and Goes, will be released, but Branch say she's almost done. She wrote a note to fans on her website, explaining, "I love you guys. Thanks for attempting to be patient while I add the final touches. This is the best record I have made to date (in my opinion anyway) and I can't wait for you all to hear it." The upcoming effort will be Branch's first solo release since 2003's Hotel Paper. Over the last few years, she's released material with her country duo the Wreckers.
FAST FACTS
* Branch was born in Sedona, Arizona. She now lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee. * She married her bass player, Teddy Landau, in 2004.
* A federal appeals court has ordered Taco Bell to pay $42 million to the creators of the little Chihuahua who made the phrase "!Yo quiero Taco Bell!" popular.
* Matt Lauer will have the first sit-down interview with President Obama since he took office... and you'll see that in the Super Bowl pre-game show.
* To trim your waistline and tone your abs, just play with a hula hoop! Personal trainer Lorrie Henry of Phoenix, Arizona says the still-popular toy is becoming a staple in many fitness and exercise routines.
* Notice how the TV stations have been yelling "February 17th is coming!" for a while now. Now it appears congress believes America is not ready to make the switch to digital TV quite yet... and are planning on delaying the deadline four months or so.
* How about this new celebrity couple: Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett?
* Rapper Kanye West now wants to be known as Martin Louis the King, Jr., incorporating his love of the French designer Louis Vuittone with a tribute to U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
* Marie's done it... now, Donny Osmond is said to be interested in "Dancing with the Stars."
* The ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife will both be shot into space some time next year.
* Madonna tops Pollstar's top 20 concert tours with $5.153,252 in receipts and an average ticket price of $142.38.
* Hope you didn't have your fingers crossed for any more "Fantastic Four" movies. That franchise appears to be dead.
* Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is engaged to wed Italian yacht-company owner Fabrizio Politi.
Kurt Warner was having a hard time finding a job four years ago. No matter that he had been to two Super Bowls and won one of them, or that he'd been an NFL and Super Bowl MVP. Now he's getting ready to lead the Arizona Cardinals at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says hopefully Warner should be recognized as "one of the best players to ever play his position." Not all die-hard Arizona Cardinals fans heading to Florida this week plan to actually attend Sunday's Super Bowl game. Some Arizonans are going to Tampa just to be in the middle of Super Bowl madness, even though they don't have tickets to the big show. Kickoff for the Super Bowl matchup between the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers will be 4:15 p.m. Sunday. The Anaheim Ducks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 7-3 in Glendale last night. The Ducks are now even with Phoenix for fifth place in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Coyotes lost for just the second time in their last seven home games.
Also in the NHL last night.... Columbus 3, Detroit 2, OT Boston 3, Washington 2, OT N.Y. Rangers 3, Carolina 2 New Jersey 4, Ottawa 1 Florida 3, Philadelphia 2 Tampa Bay 5, Montreal 3 Minnesota 6, Toronto 1 Dallas 2, Atlanta 0 Buffalo 10, Edmonton 2 San Jose 3, Colorado 0
In the NBA
Orlando 135, Indiana 111 Cleveland 117, Sacramento 110 Denver 100, Memphis 85 San Antonio 106, Utah 100 Charlotte 117, L.A. Lakers 110, 2OT The Chicago White Sox's new $100 million spring training complex in Glendale is expected to be ready for workouts when players report next month. The Sox will share the facility with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago pitchers and catchers are scheduled to hold their first workout Feb. 15. Their first spring training game is set for March 1.
(Cosmopolitan) To scratch beneath your man's exterior, ask yourself these questions. They are subtle but reveal a surprising amount:
Does he have fond childhood memories of his parents? -- If he didn't feel adored as a kid, he may have difficulty forming emotional attachments now. But if he felt loved, he can likely give his heart freely.
Does he refuse to work at a job he hates? -- A guy who sacrifices security to follow his passion doesn't cruise through life in the easy lane, which means he'll stick with you through thick and thin.
Can he laugh at himself? -- Being able to make light of his screwups is a sure sign that he has an easygoing disposition and probably won't come down too hard on you either.
Is he still tight with old male friends? -- Maintaining long-term close ties shows loyalty, and the fact that they are guys indicates that he isn't threatened by other men... or presumably, a strong female.
How does he feel about his ex-girlfriends? -- If he talks about them respectfully or is still friendly with a few, it's a pretty safe bet he's a stand-up guy since he was able to sever the relationship with grace.
(Sun) If hands are your most valuable tool, fingernails are mute testaments to your interests and lifestyle. "the way you do or don't maintain your nails reveals important aspects of your personality," explains palmistry expert Jackie Metavoy. "The shape and contour also offers clues to your daily routine and habits." So what are your paws saying to the world? Choose the description and find out what your fingernails reveal about you:
French style manicure with square nails -- You're a charming dreamer whose head is often in the clouds as you think fanciful thoughts. The soft pink and while of your nails matches your sweet, warm nature, which remains positive even in the worst of times. You understand and accept the foibles of others, displaying an amazing amount of patience when life doesn't go your way. That generosity of spirit wins the love and loyalty of others.
No polish with slightly bitten cuticles -- You're a creative person who's too busy developing edgy solutions to everyday problems to bother with manicures. In fact, the short length of your nails is due more to nibbling than filing as a result of your high strung temperament. You're often super sensitive and wear your heart on your sleeve. But you're also quick to forgive a slight, especially if others are willing to pitch in to help you achieve your goals.
Long, narrow nails with a healthy glow -- You're a cool customer with a sophisticated air that impresses everyone you meet. You're ultra-feminine, which attracts the opposite sex in droves. But women are drawn to you, too, because of your enviable knowledge of the latest trends in fashion, decor and beauty. Family and friends can also attest to your thoughtfulness and warmth, which you offer in abundance.
Polished with attention getting color -- You're a bubbly extrovert who decorates everything from the walls in your living room to your fingernails with bright, happy colors. You're eager to try anything new because you're easily bored with the status quo. The eye catching polish makes your hands a focal point that you use like a maestro, gesturing extravagantly when talking to others. Your sharp brain assures you're never at a loss for words.
Clipped short and neat with clear polish -- You're a go-getter who charges through life full speed ahead. You back up your ambitions with plenty of hard work and a down to earth attitude that helps you succeed both at work and at play. Your neat nails reflect your ability to handle several chores simultaneously, completing them all with grace and flair. Your practical nature makes you the one person whom family and friends turn to in a crisis.
An ugly baby? Is there such a thing? And how would you know if a baby is truly cute or not? Apparently there is a scientific way of doing so. And guess who's the best at figuring out who's cute or not? Young women. Young women are much better than men of all ages at spotting a cute baby, finds a new study. The younger women beat older women at the task, too. Past research has shown that the chubby cheeks, big eyes and oversized foreheads of infants can trigger child-caring behaviors in mothers. But what causes this link between cuddly-cute babies and mothers has been unknown.
Do you think video games are a blessing or a curse? Many people bash video games saying that they make kids fat because children don't go outside to play anymore. I think not! Maybe some just sit there and play, but not if you have the Wii! We talked about a 10-year-old in Ireland who managed to walk again after for years in a wheelchair. She received treatment in a New York hospital, attending Wii therapy courses for six days a week. While she had conventional treatments, such as hydrotherapy, it was the Wii Fit that the girl took a shine to and which helped her back on her feet again.
Do you have the winter blues? What do you do to fight them? Scientists have a name for the winter blues: SAD: seasonal affective disorder. It's a form of depression with symptoms of SAD including feeling sad or blue during the winter months, with dissipation of those feelings with the arrival of spring. Don't believe it? SAD has been recognized by the medical community for over 20 years.
30% of high school students have committed a crime -- specifically, stealing something from a store. In addition, 64% admit they have cheated on a test. That's the word from a large survey of nearly 30,000 U.S. high school students from 100 randomly-selected public and private high schools nationwide conducted by the Josephson Institute, a Los Angeles-based ethics institute. Even though they confessed to lying, cheating and stealing, the students still insisted they are good people with sound ethics. The survey also found that 35% of boys and 26% of girls (30%) said they had stolen something from a store within the past year.
Max is the most popular name for both dogs and cats.
For the sixth consecutive year, Max is the most popular name for both dogs and cats. That's according to Veterinary Pet Insurance, which insured some 466,000 clients. Only 13 dogs in VPI's database went by Fido in 2008, placing the name at number 2,866. Rover wasn't far behind at number 2,534. Lassie was number 1,572), Pluto was number 1,009), Spot was number 659) and Fluffy was number 338.
Blake Shelton claims the top of the R&R and MediaBase Country Singles charts this week with his latest hit, "She Wouldn't Be Gone." This is Shelton's second consecutive chart-topper. "Home" reached Number One last year. "She Wouldn't Be Gone" has been a challenging song for Shelton to perform, both melodically and lyrically, as Blake tells us:
"There's no doubt it's a special song. I've been able to dump more emotion into that vocal than any other thing I've ever cut before, and there's a lot of reasons why, I think. I never quite heard a lyric to where -- as you listen to it -- it's pretty much over. But this guy believes if he could just find her there's just a little bit of a chance there that he could make things right and be able to fix this thing. But he knows he's running out of time, so the lyrics are written in kind of a panic, and so you're able to sing it with that type of emotion and energy."
* "She Wouldn't Be Gone" is the first single from Shelton's most recent release, Startin' Fires. * The singer hits the road with George Strait this summer.
TAYLOR SWIFT HAS 'UNWAVERING DEVOTION' TO BRITNEY SPEARS
Taylor Swift is apparently a long-time Britney Spears fan. In a new MySpace blog, the singer writes about how her mother rearranged her bathroom while she was in Los Angeles recently to film an episode of CSI. When she came back home, Swift quickly noticed that her mother did some rearranging and was "startled" when she realized her Spears poster was missing from its original spot. She adds, "I searched the room frantically for a few seconds before finding its new spot. My Britney Spears poster (from 6th grade) had been relocated to my bedroom, which is another AMAZING upgrade. This way, I see it more often and it more proudly displays my unwavering devotion to Britney Spears."
SIDE NOTES
* Swift has talked being influenced by several artists, including Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and the Dixie Chicks. * Swift's latest album is called Fearless. * Meanwhile, Spears will kick off a tour in March.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD, RASCAL FLATTS TO APPEAR ON KATIE COURIC'S GRAMMY SPECIAL
Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift will be among the star-studded lineup of guests on an upcoming CBS All Access Grammy special, hosted by Katie Couric. The show airs on February 4th.
* Other artists set to appear include Justin Timberlake, Lil' Wayne, Katy Perry, the Jonas Brothers, Metallica, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Kid Rock, and Jordin Sparks.
FAST FACTS
* Underwood is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category for "Last Name." * Rascal Flatts is nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for "Every Day." * The 51st annual Grammy Awards will air on February 8th on CBS.
BRAD PAISLEY ANNOUNCES 'AMERICAN SATURDAY NIGHT' TOUR
Brad Paisley's Paisley Party tour wraps up on March 14th, but the singer won't be away from the road long. He has already announced that his 2009 American Saturday Night tour will begin on June 5th in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 41-date run will feature special guests Dierks Bentley, who is currently on tour with Paisley, and Jimmy Wayne. The American Saturday Night tour is scheduled to wrap up on October 17th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
FAST FACTS
* The Paisley Party tour has sold over 750,000 tickets for its 59 dates. * Paisley has charted 13 Number One hits throughout his career, including "Start A Band," a duet with Keith Urban. That song is Paisley's ninth consecutive chart-topper.
REBA McENTIRE BESTS DOLLY PARTON
Reba McEntire makes country music history this week for being the female singer with the most Top 10 singles. Her collaboration with Brooks & Dunn on "Cowgirls Don't Cry" puts her over the edge, surpassing Dolly Parton, with whom she was once tied for 55 Top 10's.
* McEntire said, "Wow! Dolly is one of my idols and good friends. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as her is huge to me. To be able to accomplish a 56th top ten hit while singing with my buddies, Brooks & Dunn, makes it all so much sweeter. I love country radio, and I plan to be a part of it as long as they'll have me!"
FAST FACTS
* McEntire has sold over 55 million albums worldwide and has charted 33 Number One hits. * She is currently in the studio working on her debut single for Nashville indie label Valory Records. The new music is scheduled to hit radio this spring.
PAT GREEN ALBUM RELEASED TODAY
Pat Green's new album, What I'm For, hits retail outlets today (Tuesday, January 27th). The 10-song CD is the followup to Green's 2006 release, Cannonball.
As is the case with most artists, Green feels his latest is his greatest, as he tells us: "There's no doubt this is my best record. As a complete composition goes it's one of those things where I can definitely point at it and say, "Man, the songs, I think, in my estimation are stronger, just as far as how they were crafted, just the whole feeling from start to finish. This time around I just feel like we hit the nail on the head.'"
Green said he took a little more prepared approach to What I'm For than he has with previous albums.
"There was definitely a great deal more focus coming into this record. I wrote 34 songs before we even stepped in the studio, so, I mean, we pretty much had a direction before we got there, whereas usually I walk into the studio with a blank canvas and sayin, 'I hope I write something good!'"
* So far, so good: Green's debut single, "Let Me," is a Top 15 hit on the country charts.
KELLIE PICKLER ADOPTS A MONKEY
Kellie Pickler has added a monkey to her growing family of pets. The singer has not yet named the animal, which is a marmoset monkey. The tiny companion only weighs three ounces, according to Pickler's MySpace page.
* The singer said, "She is so sweet, and she has the best personality. I absolutely love her." * Pickler's other four-legged friends include a Chihuahua named Moo Moo, a cat named Pickles and a python.
FAST FACTS
* The former American Idol finalist is the new face of Sexy Hair products. She will be seen in advertisements for the company through the end of the year. * Pickler's new single, "Best Days Of Your Life," was co-written with Taylor Swift.
More than 1,000 fans gathered at the Phoenix airport to see off the Arizona Cardinals as they headed to Tampa to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. Fans say it's satisfying to finally see their team in the big game after having suffered through numerous mediocre seasons. Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals flew into town ahead of schedule to get ready for an unexpected Super Bowl appearance. Warner won a Super Bowl title with St. Louis in 2000. He leads a team of Cardinals who are mostly newcomers to the NFL's biggest stage. Shaquille O'Neal scored 29 points Monday night as the Phoenix Suns wrapped up a six-game East Coast swing with a 103-87 win over the Washington Wizards. O'Neal went 10-for-14 from the field, 9-for-10 from the free throw line and had eight rebounds in 36 minutes for the Suns.
In the NBA last night....
Miami 95 Atlanta 79 New York 104 Houston 98 Minnesota 90 Milwaukee 83 Oklahoma City 94 New Jersey 85 New Orleans 101 Philadelphia 86 Portland 113 L-A Clippers 88 TOP-25 Men's COLLEGE BASKETBALL ( 4) Oklahoma 89 Oklahoma St. 81 ( 8) Marquette 71 Notre Dame 64 TOP-25 WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ( 1) Connecticut 93 ( 6) Louisville 65 (19) Virginia 75 Clemson 67 Houston guard Aubrey Coleman will serve a one-game suspension for violating the league's sportsmanship policy. That's for stepping on another player during the Cougars' game at Arizona. Coleman was ejected Saturday after stepping on the face of Arizona's Chase Budinger following a charge call with 9:51 left in the game. Arizona went on to win 96-90 in overtime.
* Britain's Prince Harry and his girlfriend of five years, Chelsy Davy, have gone their separate ways.
* VH1 has teamed up Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, who will star in his own reality show slated to premiere in the summer of 2009.
* Gisele Bundchen says that, despite popular rumors, she and Tom Brady are not engaged.
* No Kevin Federline or Cindy McCain on the next round of "Dancing with the Stars." They've been officially ruled out.
* Michelle Obama is upset with the makers of Beanie Babies for naming two dolls after her daughters.
* Patrick Swayze is writing a memoir with his wife Lisa.
* Katie Stam of Indiana was crowned Miss America over the weekend.
* Aretha Franklin not only sang at Barack Obama's inauguration... but she also gave him copies of 17 sermons that her minister father had given, plus an engraved Bible.
* Producer James L. Nederlander has acquired the rights for a stage version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Off the Wall."
* Remember us telling you about that Dallas high school girls basketball team that beat another team recently 100-0? The coach of the winning team was fired for saying that he wasn't sorry they ran up the score.
* Dodgers manger Joe Torre has a new book coming out that contains a few stinging attacks on the New York Yankees... including how they referred to Alex Rodriguez as "A-Fraud." He'll be on Letterman to talk about the book next Tuesday.
* Illinois Governor Blagojevich told ABC's "Good Morning America" that he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey to that U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Obama.
* Billy Werber, the oldest living former major league baseball player and last surviving teammate of Babe Ruth, died last week at age 100.
Angelina Jolie's former bodyguard is reportedly planning a tell-all book....
about the actress and her partner Brad Pitt. Mickey Brett's tome is thought to expose how the actress got together with Pitt while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston and include details of the couple's sex life. "He (Brett) knows everything about Angelina. It's going to be one of the most explosive books ever written," a publishing insider told In Touch magazine. Brett headed up the couple's security when the couple went into hiding in Namibia before the birth of their daughter Shiloh in 2006, but was allegedly fired by Pitt last year. The source said that Brett never signed a confidentiality agreement with the couple and that "It (the book) will include all the sordid details of how they (Pitt and Jolie) got together while Brad was still married to Jennifer Aniston." The pair have always claimed that they only started a relationship once Pitt split from the Friends star. (British Glamour)
For all Americans who want to be above average, all you have to do is exercise for more than 17 minutes a day, or devote more than 24 minutes to daily grooming, or buy more than one bottle of wine. Those are just some of the statistics that define Mr. or Ms. Average American, according to a new Time magazine study. Here's what they found about the "Average American":
Spends an average of 8 hours and 38 minutes a night sleeping
About 30 percent of Americans suffer from insomnia
40 percent snore
85 percent have nightmares
Spends 18 to 36 minutes a day eating breakfast
25 minutes commuting to work
38 hours each year in traffic jams
26 gallons of gas are wasted annually when trapped in traffic
Watches an average of 3 hours of TV a day that is based on averaging the 4 hours and 38 minutes men stare at the boob tube with the 1 hour and 28 minutes of TV time women rack up.
The average U.S. household has more TVs (2.73) than people (2.6)
83 percent of Americans don't exercise at all
Fitness fanatics sweat enough to make us all look good with an overall average of exercising 17 minutes a day.
Purchases 7 bottles of liquor a year
Purchases 12 bottles of wine
Purchases 230 glasses of beer
The total tab spent on booze in the U.S. is $155 billion a year
On an average day, we purchase 160,968 bottles of Absolut Vodka
On an average day, we purchase 93,000 jars of Ragu tomato sauce
On an average day, we purchase 60 million fresh eggs
On an average day, we purchase 443,650 large orders of Burger King fries
On an average day, we purchase half-million Titleist golf balls
On the job, the happiest workers are priests, firefighters, and reservation and ticket agents.
The most miserable workers are gas station attendants, roofers and other construction workers.
Did you know that what you typically put on your plate speaks volumes about your personality? Discover what your choices mean by completing this quiz and find out more about you:
Your typical breakfast is:
Hot cereal with blueberries.
An English muffin.
Eggs and toast.
Your favorite sauce over pasta is:
Garlic and olive oil.
Alfredo.
Marinara.
You eat most of your food:
At lunchtime.
At night.
By munching throughout the day.
When you're nervous, you tend to eat:
Nuts, chips or fruit.
Candy, cake or cookies.
Ice cream.
Analysis
Mostly "a" - You're a practical person who opts for good nutrition that tastes delicious, too. You're also quite confident in the kitchen your favorite room in the house where you prepare innovative recipes for family and friends.
Mostly "b" - You're so energetic and open to new things that your food choices are an eclectic mix. You're more concerned with enjoying yourself than worrying about consequences. You figure pleasing your palate is worth some extra exercise.
Mostly "c" - You're wise enough to eat nutritious foods while feeling no guilt over an occasional indulgence. Being so conscious of what it takes to stay healthy makes you a happy person who's less likely to ever become overweight.
PRINCE HARRY AND GIRLFRIEND SPLIT:Prince Harry and his girlfriend Chelsy Davy have ended their five-year relationship. People magazine reported that the couple parted amicably after a recent vacation together. A palace source said, "They are remaining friends. There have been all sorts of reasons given [for the split] but suffice it to say they felt that it had run its course." Britain's New of the World claims that Davy, who spent a majority of the relationship away from her beau at school, broke things off with the 24-year-old prince because she was tired of his "playboy antics."
MOLLY RINGWALD PREGNANT WITH TWINS: Molly Ringwald is pregnant with twins. The 1980's film star, who is currently featured on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, will welcome a boy and a girl in August. A spokesperson for the ABC Family show said that the 40-year-old's pregnancy will be written into the program's storyline. Ringwald and her husband Panio Gianopoulos, who is 33, also have a five-year-old daughter named Mathilda.
SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR 'LIPSTICK JUNGLE' THEFT: A stage manager connected with Lipstick Jungle was arrested and charged with stealing nearly $30,000 worth of designer fashions from the show. The district attorney's office said that 27-year-old Arthur Moreira was busted in a sting operation on Friday (January 23rd) that included officer's buying stolen goods from him at his apartment. The crime was first detected by employees of French designer Sylvia Toledano after they found several items they'd lent to the show on eBay. Some of the stolen items included sequined mosaic clutches, an Oscar de la Renta snakeskin bag and Gucci coats.
JUDGE SIDES WITH KELLY RUTHERFORD IN CUSTODY HEARING: A judge ruled late last week that Kelly Rutherford is allowed to take her two-year-old son Hermes with her to New York where she films Gossip Girl. The actress's estranged husband sought an order that would keep the boy in Los Angeles with him, claiming Rutherford's schedule was not conducive to his well-being. Judge Michael Levanas decided that removing Hermes from his mother "cold turkey" would be difficult, therefore allowing Rutherford to bring him to New York would be the plan least likely to cause him trauma. Rutherford, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, was due to leave for New York on Sunday (January 25th).
'MAD MEN' ACTRESS ENGAGED TO 'SNL' STAR: Mad Men star ElizabethMoss plans to wed Saturday Night Live funnyman Fred Armisen. The 26-year-old actress revealed the news to USAWeekend.com last Thursday (January 22nd), saying, "It happened just a few days ago. It's private, so I don't want to share the details of how it happened, but I will say it was perfect." 42-year-old Armisen has lately been best-known for his Barack Obama impression on SNL.
KELLY OSBOURNE BACK IN REHAB:Kelly Osbourne is back in rehab. Her mother, Sharon Osbourne confirmed that the 24-year-old is seeking treatment for an undisclosed issue at Oregon's Hazelden Alcohol and Drug rehabilitation center. She said, "Yeah, Kelly's in rehab. What else can we say? She knew that it was the right thing to do at this point and we're proud that she did it. The family is all standing behind her. Kelly knew that she needed help and she's getting it." EOnline.com reported that Osbourne spent time in similar Los Angeles-area treatment programs in Promises, when she was 18, and Las Encinas, at 20.
OLSEN TWIN'S WALK OF FAME STAR VANDALIZED: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was vandalized by anti-fur protesters. PerezHilton.com posted a picture of the defaced star, which featured the words, "Fur Hags."
'CSI' STAR FIGHTS OFF WOULD-BE ROBBER: CSI actor Gerald McCullouch "slugged" a would-be robber who tried to grab his laptop on the New York City subway. McCullough told the New York Daily News that after he confronted the man, "He pulled a kitchen knife out of a black plastic bag. This thing must have had a blade 10 inches long. The other passengers started running out the door and into the next car." Eventually, cops rushed in and subdued the criminal and McCullouch escaped unharmed.
The Miss America pageant was held over the weekend. Who knew? It was shown on TLC.
Jennifer Love Hewitt's fiance, Ross McCall, is dismissing reports the couple has split -- insisting they are "working it out."
Luke Song's hat shop in Detroit was responsible for that hat Aretha Franklin wore at the inauguration. Their phone has been ringing off the hook with women who want one.
Pope Benedict XVI joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Friday by launching his own YouTube channel.
The newest Jenny Craig spokesperson? Phylicia Rashad.
When Kate Winslet was a young teenager, she had a crush on "Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze and thought he was sexiest person she had ever laid eyes on.
The folks that make Beanie Babies have come out with some dolls named after the first daughters: "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia."
Miley Cyrus can't stop texting -- even when it's inappropriate. Star magazine reports that Miley was caught texting her boyfriend in church, and the pastor gave her a good talking-to so she won't do it again.
That classical music you hear performed by Yo-Yo Ma and others at the inauguration? Pre-recorded. They decided it was too cold to perform the music live and have the instruments stay in tune.
In Japan, it's popular to use Barack Obama's book and CD to learn the English language.
Playboy reports Americans discard 426,000 mobile phones every day.
Alanis Morissette was in Brazil last week, exploring the Amazon, playing with monkeys and swimming with dolphins.
Don't ask Shia Lebeouf for a ride. After his accident last year, he's had his drivers license suspended for a year.
One Texas high school girls' basketball team has apologized to another after being them 100-0 in a game this past week.
Michael's lost love, Holly Flax, may be making a return soon to "The Office."
Sure, they divorced last year... but now we near that Pink and Carey Hart are trying a second go at it.
88% of Cosmopolitan readers have been creeped out by a guy who has a crush on them.
So you know, there is a rumor out there that Cindy McCain has expressed interest in appearing on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars."
It will arrive about two days earlier than it should, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University. HealthDay News reports that not only have average worldwide temperatures been rising for the last 50 years, but the hottest day of the year has shifted to almost two days earlier. And it's not just global warming that is to blame. Human activity is also the culprit in the shift in seasons. "We see 100 years where there is a very natural pattern of variability, and then we see a large departure from that pattern at the same time as global mean temperatures start increasing, which makes us suspect that there's a human role here," said Alexander R. Stine, a graduate student in UC Berkeley's department of earth and planetary science and first author of the report.
Has anyone ever told you how much you and your mate look alike?
Chances are, it's because you really do. Researchers from the University of Liverpool, in conjuction with the University of Durham and the University of St. Andrews, have determined that the longer we're with someone, the more we grow alike in appearance. Even more interesting, they found out that we tend to choose someone in the first place whose looks resemble ours. Why? Partners who are genetically similar to each other tend to have happier marriages, and similarities in personalities and physical features might be one way to measure genetic similarity.
Minneapolis, MN and Seattle, WA, according to an annual ranking conducted this year by the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at Central Connecticut State University. The ranking was based on local newspaper and magazine circulation, library data, online news readership, book purchases, Internet resources and educational achievement in cities with a population of 250,000 or more. Here's the top ten cities for literacy:
While in our nation's capital for the inauguration festivities, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw reportedly had dinner with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson. The group gathered at the fancy Blue Duck Tavern at Washington, D.C.'s Park Hyatt hotel. According to People magazine, they enjoyed each other's company so much that they all went to dinner again over the weekend at Charlie Palmer SteakhouseFaith was among the ensemble who performed "America's Song," an anthem written by producer David Foster to mark President Obama's inauguration. She also sang "If My Heart Had Wings" at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.
Kellie Pickler is the new face of Sexy Hair products. She and Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Cheryl Burke have signed a multi-million dollar agreement with the company to appear in its consumer and trade publication ads and promotional materials, as well as participate in Sexy Hair's publicity campaign throughout 2009. Pickler said, "I've been using Sexy Hair products for a couple of years and I'm thrilled to be working with them. I need all the Sexy I can get!"Advertisements featuring Pickler and Burke begin in April and run through December is such publications as Allure, Cosmopolitan, Modern Salon, and American Salon.
SIDE NOTES
Pickler will join Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn, and Keith Anderson to perform at the "Gift of Music" benefit concert on February 2nd at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon. The event benefits the W. O. Smith School of Music. General admission tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
Rumors about the men in Carrie Underwood's life seem to make tabloid fodder all the time, but there's only one constant companion in the singer's life right now -- her beloved little dog. Underwood says the two have a very special relationship:
Underwood is set to perform at the 51st annual Grammy Awards, coming up on February 8th. The singer is also nominated for Best Female Country Performance for "Last Name." The show will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS.
Jason Aldean will release his career third album, Wide Open, on April 7th. The 10-track CD includes Aldean's brand new single, "She's Country," which he debuted on the CMA Awards in November. The song is the fastest-rising single of Aldean's career to date.
Aldean said, "Wide open is the only way I know how to live. When it came time to give this album a title, that track just summed it all up . . . it describes my personality and attitude 100 percent," explains Aldean. "Me and the guys in the band went into the studio and recorded these songs live, and tried to picture ourselves playing them in an arena down the road somewhere. I think you can definitely feel that energy. "
FAST FACTS
Aldean's first two albums have sold more than two million copies.
The singer wraps up his stint on Toby Keith's Biggest & Baddest tour on January 31st in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens was moved to a Nashville area rehabilitation center to continue recovery after undergoing surgery to repair a subdural hematoma last week. Dickens will not be at the center for long, according to an Opry publicist.
FAST FACTS
The 88-year-old entertainer has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years.
Dickens was made a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.
So first, there was the stumble taking the presidential oath. Then, to cover the bases, President Obama and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court did a re-do in the White House... and now it's being pointed out that, at the second swearing in, no Bible was used.
Katy Perry, the 24-year-old singer known for her hit "I Kissed a Girl," has taken a vow of celibacy for one year.
Askmen.com asked its readers who the world most desirable woman was and the answer? Eva Mendes was #1, Meagan Fox came in second.
As expected, late Australian actor Heath Ledger was nominated for his supporting role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."
Recognize the opening act at Toby Keith's concert? Yep, that's "Dancing With The Stars" pro, Julianne Hough, doing the singing thing these days.
Police in the Bahamas have launched an investigation surrounding an attempt to extort money from John Travolta.
Steve Martin's hosting SNL this weekend. That's his 15th time back!
George Clooney will be on one of the final episodes of "E.R." He's filming the scenes this week.
Hall of Fame receiver Micahel Irvin is launching a reality TV show in which 12 football wannabees will compete for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' training camp roster.
"Twilight" will come out on DVD March 21st.
Will Ferrell's one-man show, "A final night with George Bush," opened on Broadway this week for an 8-week run. Almost sold out.
We wonder if Maureen Dowd knows that Tom Hanks came to her Inaugural Day party, was outside, but it was so crowded that he couldn't get in, so he just left!
If you don't want to wait, you can always pre-order season 5 of "Lost" right now on Amazon.com.
The American Kennel Club says that, for the 18th year in a row, the Labrador retriever is America's most popular breed of dog?
Web developer George Huger says he turned $5 into $35,000 when he bought the expired Internet domain name for former President George W. Bush's presidential library and then sold it back.
After a five-year break, Gwen Stefani WILL be back with no doubt for this summer's big concert tour.
(Men's Health) Marc Salem is a mentalist by trade. That is, he makes a living toiling in minds. We know what you're thinking: "Cool, I'd love to be able to read thoughts." Who wouldn't? Then you'd know what your boss really thinks of you. Then you'd have advance warning that your girlfriend is going to dump you -- so you could beat her to the punch. Well, it can be done based on a sound principle of nature: The subconscious always rats out the conscious. By understanding how the brain and body react in certain situations, you can train yourself to decode the nonverbal messages people unwittingly transmit. As Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot just by watching." Look for...
Mismatched gestures-- If your boss's hand motions don't match what he's saying, he could be trying to cover something. For example, he says, "I think you're doing a good job," but he points at you after he says it.
Tone shifts -- Most people speak steadily. Pitch changes quickly corrected signal truth-stretching. Same goes for voice cracks or changes in rhythm.
Avoidance or overfriendliness-- You know your boss... that's the baseline. If he becomes uncharacteristically aloof or buddy-buddy. You can bet that changes are afoot.
False smiles -- These are easy to spot: Remember, the insincere smile vanishes quickly; the legitimate one appears and fades slowly.
Eye darts -- Separate parts of the brain control real memories and fabrications. How his eyes move will clue you in.
(Sun) Did you know that the name you chose for your pet is a reflection of your personality? Experts say it reveals a treasure trove of information about both you and your relationship with your furry or feathered friend. Choose the category that fits you and your pet, and see learn more about the real you:
Human name -- You're a warm, nurturing person who considers your pet a member of the family. Just like with your other loved ones, you're attentive to his or her needs, and you lavish your pet with affection.
Name to match appearance -- You're an easy going person with a practical outlook. So it figures you'd find a name like Shaggy or Spot that reflects your pet's looks and personality. After all, he or she is as individual as anyone else in your circle of family and friends.
Famous name -- You're a self assured type who loves flaunting your knowledge of pop culture, including naming your animal after a famous person. Your confident air also attracts people with the same flair.
Old fashioned name -- Although your pal's moniker may be Fido, you can't deny that you have a terrific imagination. In fact, using a name that's no longer popular emphasizes your creative side along with your infectious sense of humor.
Unique name-- You're an extrovert who loves to be the center of attention and giving your pet an offbeat name is a sure way to gain the spotlight. People are so intrigued, you find yourself in spontaneous conversations wherever you go.
"Country Boy" by Alan Jackson claims the Number One spot on the Billboard and R&R singles charts. This is Jackson's third consecutive chart-topper from his latest album, Good Time.
Jackson has earned an impressive place in country music history with such rare feats as album sales of more than 50 million units, 30-plus Number One hits, the majority of which he wrote, and being one of the most award-nominated artists in the genre. Despite all the accolades, Jackson remains humble.
"I feel like in today's standards I've earned some respect as an artist and songwriter. I never thought I was a great singer compared to some singers I know."
Jackson attributes his popularity and longevity to the universal messages in his music.
"I think there's something in the quality of the way we produce our records and the way I sing that has an honesty to it that regular people like, and I think I still connect with the working man, and that's where I came from, so I think that's helped endure me a little bit."
* Good Time was released last year and debuted atop the country and pop sales charts in its first week of release. * Jackson's Good Time tour plays in Orlando, Florida, tomorrow night (Saturday, January 24th).
KEITH URBAN IS 'DEFYING GRAVITY' WITH NEXT ALBUM
Keith Urban has set a lofty goal for his next album -- Defying Gravity. At least, that's the name he's giving to the new collection of songs, which is due out on March 31st. Defying Gravity includes Urban's current hit, "Sweet Thing."
* Urban said, "Defying Gravity comes from the lyrics of a song on the album, and it just struck me at the time as a phrase that really defined the joyous, optimistic, and uplifting spirit that seemed to show itself while making the album."
SIDE NOTES
* Urban will kick off his Escape Together World tour 2009 in May. Exact dates have not yet been announced, but the singer will play in 58 cities across North America. * Urban will team with a different touring partner in each city, including Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, The Zac Brown Band and Dierks Bentley.
KEITH ANDERSON CANCELS TOUR DATES, PREPARES FOR VOCAL SURGERY
Keith Anderson has been put on vocal rest, forcing him to cancel his upcoming tour dates for the rest of this month and all of February. The singer will undergo minor vocal cord surgery later this month.
* Anderson issued a statement saying, "I'm grateful to be able to take this time off during the dead of winter, a typically slower time on the touring schedule. I certainly look forward to hitting it full throttle in March."
SIDE NOTES
* Anderson's first show back will be on March 21st in Oakland, California at Oracle Arena. * His new single, "She Could've Been Mine," is currently climbing the country charts.
JIMMY WAYNE AND THE 'MOTHERLY' PATTY LOVELESS
He's been talking about wanting to do it for years, but Jimmy Wayne finally got the chance to record a duet with his favorite female singer, Patty Loveless, for his current album, Do You Believe Me Now. The song is called "No Good For Me," and as Wayne tells us, it's one that finally got the thumbs up from Loveless.
"She and I talked about maybe doing some work together before, but I never had the song that she was into, but she calls me. She checks on me."
The two singers have developed a friendship outside the studio. In fact, Wayne says that Loveless treats him like a son:
"It was cool! One time I was on her bus and we were riding back from Indiana, and I was sleeping on the couch in the living room, and I felt something, like a blanket on me, like in the middle of the night, and I woke up real fast and she was covering me up 'cause I had fallen asleep on the couch. She's very motherly, and she went on back to bed. (She's) just a very nice woman."
* Wayne's current single, "I Will," is a Top 25 hit on the country charts. * The singer plays the Grizzly Rose in Denver tonight (Friday, January 23rd).
'GONE COUNTRY' SEASON THREE KICKS OFF TOMORROW
The third season of CMT's Gone Country premieres tomorrow (Saturday, January 24th) at 8 p.m. ET. This time around the cast includes funk musician George Clinton; Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner; pop singer Taylor Dayne; Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz; musician Sheila E.; actor Richard Grieco; and American Idol runner up Justin Guarini.
John Rich returns as host of the show.
FAST FACTS
* All seven competing celebrities live together in a Nashville mansion during the show's taping. Their goal is to transform themselves into the best all-around country performer. The winning artist will record and release their own song with Rich's help. * Rocker Sebastian Bach won last season's Gone Country. Bach is currently working on his first country album.
Ever wonder what ex-Presidents are costing us every year?
(from KHQ.com) Today taxpayers are supporting our former presidents to the tune of more than $2.9 million. Their yearly salary pension is $191,000. Aside from that, each gets a staff; that staff costs you, the taxpayer, $96,000 per president. Among the amenities we pay for is rent for their office space - President Clinton's rent in Harlem is $516,000 a year, while the first President Bush spends $69,000 a year on "equipment" and want all the details?
We are paying for President Bush's (Bush 41) subscription to the Wall Street Journal which costs $242 a year.
Bush 41 also spends money on office furniture at Brookstone. His total for supplies in just January of 2006 alone was $7,538.
Former President Bill Clinton seems to spend the most across the board. His phone bill from the records KHQ received from 2006 cost taxpayers $104,000.
We also pay for the satellite TV in his office, complete with eight separate receivers and all the movie channels that come with the "entertainment package". Your cost? $1,800 per year.
more than two-thirds of women prefer it to be straight rather than curly reports Britain's Daily Mail of a poll of 2,500 women. The recent poll also found that the hair color most women prefer is brunette (43%) followed by blonde (33%) and red (12%). And get this, the average woman plunks down almost $70,000 in her lifetime on hair products, styling and coloring, as well as just under two years of her life washing, styling, cutting, coloring, crimping and straightening her hair at home and in salons. In a single day, the typical woman spends about 40 minutes on her hair.
Most women would give up sex for a new wardrobe. That's the word from a survey of 1000 women in ten U.S. cities by Unilever. Women on average say they would be willing to give up sex for 15 months for a closet full of new apparel. Two% said they would become celibate for three years in exchange for all those new clothes. Want more?
61% said it would be worse to lose their favorite article of clothing than give up sex for a month.
The average woman between 18-54 has kept her favorite article of clothing for 12.5 years, which is one year longer than she has stayed in her longest love relationship.
70% said they believed in love at first sight -- that is, when it comes to finding the perfect article of clothing. This compares to 54% who say they are that confident in spotting Mr. Right at first sight.
48% said their favorite article of clothing was more reliable than their man when it comes to giving them confidence and making them feel sexy.
A recent survey by ShopSmart magazine finds that 76% of American women enjoy shopping, but one-third say the most stressful part is waiting in checkout lines, followed by 29% stressed by interacting with salespeople. The average woman, says the report, spends 385 hours annually shopping. The ShopSmart Opinion Poll found that:
87% of the female shoppers agreed that getting the best price was the most important thing to them
25% would rather save time than save money
The most popular common non-grocery product purchased over the past three months by 95% of women was clothing (77%), shoes (58%), cosmetics (56%) and vitamins or supplements (52%).
57% of American women find the best bargains at discount department stores like Wal-Mart and Target, while only 17% felt that the best deals were to be had on the web.
56% of the shoppers said that price is least important when purchasing lingerie
55% said sporting goods, 53% said auto repair and vitamins or supplements,
51% thought that price was least important for cosmetics.
However, 72% of women said that price is key when purchasing clothing/groceries, 70% said travel, and 69% said house wares/small appliances.
Shoppers relied mostly on friends and family (45%) as trusted sources for shopping and products to avoid buyer's remorse, while the least trusted sources of shopping advice were sales people (39%), and advertising (31%).
If you want to know what someone is really like, take a look at their feet, according to Dr. Nancy Sax, the world's leading personality on feet analysis.
Second toe larger than the others: You're the dependable, conservative type who always keeps your emotions in check. These types fare very well in the fields of medicine, banking and science. They're good providers, but don't expect any excitement or fireworks.
Big third toe: Look out! These unpredictable types have hot-and-cold personalities, they're totally charming one moment then erupt in a volcanic fit of anger the next.
Big baby toe: These people spread sunshine wherever they go.
Long toes: The sign of great intellectual capacity - these are the thinkers of the world. Authors, philosophers and great world leaders often have very long toes.
Little toes: These folks don't like to make a scene. But their little toes don't mean you can walk all over them! When backed up against the wall, they'll stand up and fight.
Wide feet: These folks are the backbone of society, the hard workers who have strong family values and dedication to their church, family and community.
Narrow feet: The shy, quiet type who don't like to draw attention to themselves. Beneath the shy exteriors is a relaxed, well-balanced person.
Webbed toes: A fun person who won't duck a good time! These extroverts are the life-of-the party types and make great salesmen and entertainers.
The 15th annual Laughlin Desert Challenge is underway, starting with last night's "Laughlin Leap" event. Larry Roeseler drove took his "Trophy Truck" into the Laughlin Night Sky to a distance of 161 feet 6 inches. Trophy Truck qualifying is today at 1:30pm NV time and racing gets underway on Saturday & Sunday Morning at 7am NV time.
Running back J.J. Arrington was sidelined with a knee injury as the Arizona Cardinals practiced for the first time since winning the NFC championship. Meanwhile, linebacker Travis LaBoy (biceps), defensive end Antonio Smith (knee) and punter Ben Graham (left groin) were limited in practice yesterday.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin is laughing off the negative reaction to his nationally televised run-in with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, calling it "hilarious." Boldin's shouting match with the coach on the sideline came as Arizona drove for the winning touchdown in Sunday's 32-25 victory over Philadelphia in the NFC championship game. The Phoenix Suns will be looking to avoid a third consecutive loss while trying to remain perfect all-time against the surging Charlotte Bobcats. The Suns have won all eight previous meetings against Charlotte, but have lost four of their last five games entering tonight's game.
Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire has earned his first start in an NBA All-Star Game. Stoudemire edged Carmello Anthony of the Denver Nuggets for the second forward spot alongside San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Houston's Yao Ming in the Western Conference frontcourt for the game to be played Feb. 15 in Phoenix.
Only a couple of games played in the NBA last night... Boston 90, Orlando 80 L.A. Lakers 117, Washington 97
Hockey rinks are dark as the best on ice are migrating to Montreal for Sunday night's All-Star game at Bell Centre. One star who won't be participating in the All-Star game is Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, the top vote-getter who's out with a knee injury and has been replaced by Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis.
The Memphis Grizzlies have fired coach Marc Iavaroni after a disappointing 11-and-30 start with no successor immediately named. The Grizzlies are the seventh team to fire their coach this season, following Washington, Toronto, Sacramento, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Minnesota. According to the Web site Deadspin.com, Mark McGwire's youngest brother says in a book proposal that he injected the former baseball star with steroids. Jay McGwire, who is a bodybuilder, says Mark McGwire started using steroids in 1994, an allegation the baseball slugger has always denied. The Chicago Cubs are getting new owners. The billionaire Ricketts family has been selected by Tribune Co. in a winning bid worth about $900 million in a deal that also includes Wrigley Field and a 25 percent interest in a regional sports cable franchise. Pat Perez takes a two-shot lead over Briny Baird into today's third round of the 90-hole Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Perez has shot 61 and 64 in his first two days and is the first player in PGA Tour history to play a 36-hole stretch in a tournament at 20 under par.
"Lost" is back on Wednesday nights. Others say "Lost" is now back in Texas.
Yes, former President Bush is now living back in Texas, so he can be closer to the Dixie Chicks.
A survey by AskMen.com found 71% of men have or would read their girlfriend's e-mail.
Sexy Mira Sorvino broke five of her teeth while filming the new TV series, "The Last Templar." Sorvino was filming scenes on a speedboat when a wave knocked her head into a hook.
Barack Obama announced today that he's running for re-election in four years... if for no other reason, to get another shot of doing the oath right. Maybe what Bush had was contagious?
Amy Winehouse's dad says the singer was recently at death's door. Fortunately for Amy, death looked outside and was afraid to open the door.
Grand Ole Opry star "Little" Jimmy Dickens, 88, has been moved from a Nashville-area hospital to a rehabilitation centre to recuperate from brain surgery.
Warner Brothers is going to cut 800 jobs over the next couple of weeks. Employees will know when the final cuts are made with the announcement, "Uh-thee-uh---thee-thee-thee-that's all, folks!"
A Cosmopolitan web poll found 81% of guys think a hookup can turn into a relationship.
Matt Dillon has pleaded not guilty to a December 30 speeding charge in which police say they spotted the actor doing 106 miles per hour on an interstate highway.
A musical based on the life of Barack Obama is going to hit the stage in London March 5th. The good news: It's not called "Obama Mia."
TRAVOLTAS FIGHTING EXTORTION THREATS: Less than a month after the sudden death of their 16-year-old son Jett, John Travolta and Kelly Preston are fighting extortion threats. The Tribune, a Bahamas-based newspaper, reported earlier this week that the police are questioning two people, "one believed to be a politician" in the investigation. Travolta's lawyers acknowledged that a scandal is brewing, releasing a statement that says, "Regrettably in a time of such terrible grief there are often a few individuals who attempt to make false claims in hopes of making millions of dollars. We will never let that happen." Jett Travolta died from a seizure while vacationing with his family in the Bahamas on January 2nd.
'GIRLS GONE WILD' FOUNDER DATING ATLANTA HOUSEWIFE?Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis is reportedly dating Kim Zolciak from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Zolciak was best known on the show as the only white cast member who no one believed was actually 30-years-old as she claimed. Fox News's Pop Tarts says that the two were spotted "getting particularly cozy" in Park City last weekend and shared the same house at the film festival.
MATT DILLON PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SPEEDING:Matt Dillon pleaded not guilty to a speeding charge through his attorney on Wednesday (January 21st). Lawyer Mark Kaplan said he hopes the case, regarding a December 30th incident in which Dillon was spotted driving 106 miles per hour in Vermont, could be resolved without a trial. Court documents say Dillon was cooperative and apologetic after being stopped by police, but he was charged with careless and negligent operation for speeding.
'TOP CHEF' JUDGE SAVES A LIFE:Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio saved the life of a cookbook author who choked on a piece of chicken at a benefit dinner last weekend. Slashfood.com reports that after author Joan Nathan began choking, Colicchio stepped in to perform the Heimlich Maneuver and was able to dislodge the food from her throat. Colicchio downplayed the incident, saying "I just happened to be nearby," while Nathan praised her savior, revealing, "He's so strong!"
JOINT BANK ACCOUNT FOR LINDSAY AND SAMANTHA?Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson have reportedly opened a joint bank account. The U.K.'s Daily Express claims that the financial move is more beneficial for Lindsay, who has had trouble finding work recently, than for Ronson, who regularly makes as much as $25,000 a night as a DJ. A source told the paper, Sam's very generous to Lindsay. She pays for everything when they go away together and Lindsay wants to show her gratitude by doing this." The insider added, "Sam is completely disinterested in shopping and things, whereas Lindsay loves to spend and always says she wants to be as rich as possible. Having a joint account with Sam is a huge step for her."
PETER FALK'S WIFE FIGHTING CONSERVATORSHIP BID: Peter Falk's wife of 32 years is opposing a bid by the actor's adopted daughter to put him under a conservatorship. Although Catherine Falk applied to be named conservator of her father's affairs last year because he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, documents filed in court on Tuesday (January 20th) state that the former Columbo star entrusted his wife, Shera Danese Falk, to manage his affairs and care before his health deteriorated. The elder Falk contends that her husband is receiving adequate care and does not have a close relationship with his daughter.
JOLIE BODYGUARD WRITING TELL-ALL?In Touch Weekly claims that Angelina Jolie's former bodyguard is threatening to write a tell-all book that could destroy her relationship. Mickey Brett says that he and Jolie used to "laugh at what a poser Brad is," like when he got a tattoo to impress her. Additionally, he claims that Jolie has cheated on Pitt with at least one guy since daughter Shiloh's birth and has hooked up with a famous female pop star on numerous occasions.
'BACHELOR' FRANCHISE REJECTS DATING: Jesse Csincsak, who was recently dumped by The Bachelorette,DeAnna Pappas, is rebounding with another franchise reject. People magazine reports that the snowboard instructor is dating Holly Durst, who was a contestant on The Bachelor: London Calling. He told the magazine, "I have a great time with Holly. We're both from Ohio, we both have a lot in common, and I think that we both really enjoy hanging out with each other."
NEW LOVE FOR RENEE ZELLWEGER?Renee Zellweger was recently spotted on what appeared to be a date with MSNBC legal correspondent Dan Abrams. PerezHilton.com reported that the pair was seen "cozying up" at a hotel in Sag Harbor this past weekend.
GEORGE CLOONEY RETURNING TO 'ER': George Clooney is coming back to ER, People reports. According to sources, co-creator John Wells has ordered a closed set to keep Clooney's appearance under wraps. It is not known how many episodes Clooney will appear in during the NBC drama's final season. Clooney last appeared as Dr. Doug Ross on ER in a 2000 cameo with Ross's ex-Juliana Marguilies.
KATIE HOLMES GETS NEW MOVIE: Katie Holmes is returning to the big screen. Variety is reporting that the actress, who is wrapping up the Broadway production of All My Sons, has signed on for the comedy, The Extra Man. Paul Dano, John C. Reilly and Kevin Kline are reportedly also on board for the film, which is based on a Jonathan Ames novel, about a failed playwright who decides to work as an escort for wealthy widows.
OBAMA MUSICAL SET FOR LONDON STAGE: President Obama has inspired a new musical that will run briefly in London this March. Playbill.com reported that Obama On My Mind was penned by American crime writer and filmmaker Teddy Hayes and will feature "a humorous look at the weird and wonderful world behind the scenes of a small Obama campaign office and the larger than life characters who make the wheels turn, the cogs whirr and bring in the votes." Casting has not yet been announced.
MICHELLE OBAMA'S HAIRSTYLIST GETS REALITY SHOW: Michelle Obama's hairstylist has a development deal to star in a reality show. Former Chicagoan Johnny Wright signed a deal with 44 Blue, which produces such reality shows as Style Network's Split Ends and A&E's L.A. Gang Unit. The production company's executive vice president said she discovered him while looking for a reality show first and was impressed by his personality before she knew of the Obama connection. In addition to having styled the first lady's hair for the Democratic National Convention, her upcoming appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine and other events, Wright also has worked with Vivica A. Fox, Rebecca Gayheart, Lauren London and Sex and the City writer Candace Bushnell. The show will soon be pitched to cable networks as a docu-soap or a makeover series.
'VERONICA MARS' MOVIE COMING SOON: A Veronica Mars movie is in the works, the show's producer Rob Thomas told E! Online. After word got out that Thomas's midseason series Cupid was trimmed down from 13 episodes to eight, he said, "What that means for me is that I have a couple of months to write the Veronica Mars movie. I suddenly find myself with enough time to write that script. That's the next project." Although Thomas does not have a complete idea of what the movie will be, he thinks, "It would open just days before Hearst College graduation, so Veronica would be at the end of her college career." Although the movie cast has not been confirmed, the television series starred Kristen Bell as the title character.
When it comes to kissing, women much prefer the tender kiss. Women also like it when men are spontaneous in their kissing. That's the word from a "Kiss and Tell" survey from a SoftLips Lip Conditioning Balm survey. Want more?
40% of respondents are uncomfortable when someone they've just met tries to kiss them when saying hello or goodbye; more women than men indicate that this lip maneuver makes them feel uncomfortable (49% women, 30% men).
Those from the Northeast are most likely to indicate that they greet very close friends with a kiss (42%).
About one-third (37% total; 32% males, 41% of females) will only greet immediate family members with a kiss; those from the Midwest (42%) and the South (41%) are more likely to say this.
An air kiss is more likely to come from women (15%) than men (10%); fewer men and women express their preference for the double-cheek kiss as a casual greeting (7%).
45% of women and 27% of males admit that they kiss their pets.
Tender kisses (42%) and lustful, passionate kisses (40 percent) rank the highest on the list of favorite types of kisses for both sexes; however, women consider the tender kiss to be the best (48%), while men prefer the lustful, passionate pucker (46%).
Women favor spontaneous kisses more than men (38% women, 31% of men).
One in 10 Americans prefer the kiss-and-make-up variety of kiss.
Women favor lots of small kisses more than twice as much as men (12% versus 5%).
Only 8% of all those surveyed -- equal among men and women -- feel that the "you may now kiss the bride" kiss was one of the best kinds of kisses.
More than half (58%) of men believe that the woman can make the first move for a first kiss.
22% admit that their first "real" kiss happened when they were between 11 and 13 years old.
The most common age for a first "real" kiss to have happened was between the ages of 14 and 16 (37%), with 18% getting their first memorable smooch between 17 and 19 years old.
4% of Americans are still waiting for their first real kiss.
(Good Housekeeping) Here are some quick fixes to try before calling customer support or the repair shop:
Dropped cell phone in the tub or maybe it splashed into a sink, a puddle, or the toilet; if you act fast, your phone might not call it quits. Remove the battery and SIM card, a portable memory chip in some models, then wipe everything off. If it fell in a non-water liquid, quickly rinse all parts with water, then wipe. Use a vacuum to suck out moisture, and let air dry for a day or two before reassembling. Don't power up before then, or it could short out. It still may not work, but what do you have to lose other than a busted cell phone.
A CD is tuck in your computer. For a PC, poke the end of a paper clip into the small hole on the CD/DVD drive to depress the internal button. Hold it in until the tray pops open. On a Mac, if dragging the disc icon to "Trash" doesn't do it, quit all applications, and restart the computer, holding down the mouse while rebooting.
Wi-Fi signal dropped during a download. Save what you're working on, and bookmark the download's Web site. Reboot your modem, the box that brings the Internet into your home, wireless router the device that transmits Wi-Fi signals on your home network, and computer, in that order. For a continuing problem, move the router to a more central location and away from other electronics including TV and desktop PC, that might interfere with its signal.
Spilled coffee on the keyboard. Turn the keyboard upside down and disconnect it. Let dry at least 24 to 48 hours before plugging it back in. A blow dryer set on cool can help. Take a premoistened wipe to the surface.
iPod stopped responding. Like a computer, it might need a reboot. First check that the "hold" switch isn't on. If it's off but the iPod is still stuck, toggle that switch on and off, then press and hold down both the menu and center buttons for about six to eight seconds, until the Apple logo appears. For other MP3 players, press the reset button, it's usually recessed, so use the end of a paper clip, or remove and reinsert the batteries.
(Cosmopolitan) Experts say a person's go-to dog can reveal tons about his or her personality. This is what Alan Hirsch, M.D., Neurological director of the Smell and Taste treatment and research foundation in Chicago found:
With ketchup and/or mustard-- Anyone who likes a dog with just a squirt of ketchup and/or mustard is laid back and has an "if it's not broken, don't fix it" philosophy. Using basic toppings shows a belief that the simplest approach to life is best. If this is you, enjoy the fact that you're easily satisfied, like with a cozy night watching movies, but be aware that your partner may crave more spontaneous adventures at times. Dating this type? If you're looking to add some spice in the bedroom, you'll have to take charge and show your partner exactly what you want. But don't worry, their flexible nature means they're game to try what you suggest.
With sauerkraut and mustard-- People who prefer this pickled topping on their dog probably grew up eating it and like sticking with the tradition. Their strongest personality traits are loyalty, dedication, and introversion. If you're a kraut fan, keep in mind your love of rituals and try to be with someone who feels similarly, like a partner who enjoys having a regular Friday night dinner date. If you're involved with this person, you may need to prod him or her to get creative. While sauerkraut is a little more original than ketchup, it's not totally out there. So expect your mate to need coaxing to do things outside the norm.
With chili-- A heap of chili means the person eating it knows how to have a good time; there is nothing restrained or aloof about his or her style. Extroverted, emotional, and seductive are just a few adjectives that fit here. If you chow on chili, note that all or nothing personality is at times overwhelming, and your partner may occasionally crave a run of the mill but intimate night. Dating this person? Remember this: They don't go for subtlety it's one of the reason they want such big flavor in one bite so engage all their senses in bed to really turn them on. Light scented candles, show off your hot body, play sexy music, and give them a deep massage.
With the works-- Those who want a frank with the works are innovative and open. Their willingness to try a ton of condiments reflects an eagerness to experience anything once. Is this your pick? Little things don't get you down, meaning you think about the big picture and always choose the most adventurous route in life. But you may have to be understanding if your significant other doesn't handle things the same way. What you should know if you are dating this person: They want a partner who has the same level of curiosity. You'll wow them by clipping articles about new restaurants and suggesting the two of you check them out.
Join me as I will be announcing all the racing action of the Laughlin Desert Challenge this weekend starting with the Laughlin Leap tonight at 6pm NV time. This is the 15th year as the announcer of this great event in Laughlin. Every year is so much fun! I will be announcing from the VIP area, so stop by and say hello!
GEORGE STRAIT TAPS BLAKE SHELTON FOR UPCOMING TOUR
Blake Shelton has been added to George Strait's upcoming tour. The 17-date run kicks off on May 9th in Hidalgo, Texas at Dodge Arena. The shows will also feature previously announced opener Julianne Hough.
* Shelton said, "I have the utmost respect for George Strait and to be invited to be on his tour is a huge honor. He truly is a living legend. Thank you, George Strait, for this incredible opportunity."
FAST FACTS
* Shelton recently released his Startin' Fires album, which has produced the current hit single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone." * Strait recently received four Grammy nominations, including Best Country Album for Troubadour, Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the song "Troubadour," and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Shiftwork" with Kenny Chesney and "House of Cash" with Patty Loveless. * Strait will receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade award on April 6th in Las Vegas.
RASCAL FLATTS PUT THEIR 'MAGIC' TOUCH ON POTENTIAL HITS
Rascal Flatts is bringing fans more new music on April 7th with their next album, Unstoppable. The guys may find it more challenging to find fresh subject matter with each project, but their process for sussing out hit songs remains the same, as Gary LeVox explains:
"Jay (DeMarcus) may love a song that I don't care for or I may love a song Joe Don (Rooney) doesn't care for and we just kind of weed it out, or sometimes we'll go, 'Hey, let's go in and cut it.' We'll go in and try it and see."
Putting their vocals on a song can make all the difference in the world, according to LeVox and DeMarcus.
"Once the three of us put our stuff on there a lot of times the magic happens when the three of our vocals hit, and the things that Jay does on the bass or playing the piano or the things that Joe Don does on the guitar -- sometimes it can take (DeMarcus) An ordinary song. (LeVox) Yeah, an average song that we think is good and make it great, but you never know until you try, and for us I think the only recipe for success has been the best song wins, no matter who wrote it."
* The guys have already released the first single from Unstoppable, called "Here Comes Goodbye." * Unstoppable is the band's first studio album since 2007's multi-platinum-selling project, Still Feels Good.
BROOKS & DUNN MAKE CHART HISTORY
Brooks & Dunn have surpassed supergroup Alabama this week as being the duo or group with the most Top 10 country singles -- 41 to be exact -- in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn's latest single, "Cowgirls Don't Cry," featuring Reba McEntire, climbs to Number Nine this week on the Billboard and Radio & Records charts.
* The special radio version of the song will be released as a digital single on February 10th.
FAST FACTS
* Brooks & Dunn's debut album, Brand New Man, produced four Number One singles in 1991. * "God Must Be Busy,' which is featured on their current Cowboy Town album, is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The Grammy Awards will be held on February 8th.
TOBY KEITH RETURNS TO THE ROAD WITH JACK INGRAM, JULIANNE HOUGH
Toby Keith will kick off the winter leg of his tour on January 22nd in Albany, New York. In addition to special guest Jason Aldean, who has only a few shows left on the run, Keith has added Jack Ingram to the lineup for a handful of shows. Newcomer Julianne Hough is also scheduled to open a couple shows along the way.
* Ingram joins the bill on February 5th in Asheville, North Carolina; February 6th in Louisville, Kentucky; February 7th in Pikeville, Kentucky; February 20th in Green Bay, Wisconsin; February 21st in Rockford, Illinois; and February 22nd in Des Moines, Iowa. Hough will perform on the Louisville and Des Moines dates.
FAST FACTS
* Keith's latest single, "God Love Her," is a Top Five hit on the country charts. * The song is the second release from Keith's latest album, That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy.
DARIUS RUCKER RECOUNTS PERSONAL FAVES FOR COVER ALBUM
Darius Rucker hopes to make an album of his favorite cover songs in the future. The singer says that his picks change from day to day, but there are a few tunes that will definitely be on his list when it comes time to record. Rucker tells us that one Rascal Flatts hit makes the cut.
"'Take Me There' by Rascal Flatts. Any song that starts, 'There's a place in your heart nobody's been, take me there.' He could say, 'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah' after that and I'm gonna listen to the whole song and love it. Just the opening line of the song and the performance . . . That song is actually my warmup song before I play. I play it every night."
Rucker also loves Dwight Yoakam's "Guitars & Cadillacs" and Josh Turner's "Me And God," but the singer says that two songs in particular are must-haves for his cover project:
"Lady Antebellum -- 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore.' That song and 'Walking In Memphis' are the only two songs I'm pretty sure that I didn't have anything to do with writing that God put here for me to sing."
* Rucker is currently on the road with Brad Paisley and his Paisley Party tour. The tour hits Austin, Bossier City, Tulsa and Lubbock this weekend. * The tour also features special guest Dierks Bentley.
LUKE BRYAN TO CHAIR NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY
Luke Bryan has been named honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which falls on September 26th. The day was proclaimed in 1972, and recognizes hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.
* Bryan and his father are among America's 34 million hunters and anglers. Together, their licenses, permits and special taxes generate $100,000 every 30 minutes, totaling more than $1.75 billion per year, for fish, wildlife and habitat programs. * Bryan said, "I feel very proud to be a part of this. I hope to help grow awareness of what hunters and anglers do for conservation, and just promote hunting and fishing overall. It's so important for young people to get involved in the outdoors. I couldn't imagine my life and career without the time that I've spent hunting and fishing." * Previous honorary chairs of National Hunting and Fishing Day include Wade Boggs, Jay Novacek, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Tom Seaver, George Brett, John Havlicek, Arnold Palmer, and Terry Bradshaw.
FAST FACTS
* Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri is the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The museum coordinates public education and awareness campaigns to promote traditional outdoor sports. * Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd and Jeff Foxworthy are among the country stars who helped build National Hunting and Fishing Day.
LITTLE BIG TOWN HOSTS COMPETITION TO FIND OPENING ACT
Little Big Town is offering aspiring entertainers a shot at the big time. The group is hosting a national competition to find opening acts for their upcoming A Place To Land tour. The top four acts will perform at different stops on the tour throughout the month of March. Fans around the country will determine the winners.
Fans and musicians can log on to eventful.com/littlebigtown to read the rules and enter to win. The competition continues through 2:00 p.m. PT on February 27th. The winning bands will be announced on that same day.
* Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild said, "We've had the honor of opening for John Mellencamp, George Strait, Martina McBride, Sugarland, Keith Urban and more. Because of our experiences, we wanted to find a way to give back to some bands that are just getting started in their careers. It's even more special because the fans get to choose. I can't wait to see who the fans select."
FAST FACTS
* A Place To Land is Little Big Town's first headlining tour, which kicks off on Saturday (January 24th) in Jacksonville, Florida. * The Zac Brown Band, Ashton Shepard and Kate & Kacey are already scheduled to open shows on the tour.
David Lee finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds while helping the New York Knicks contain Shaquille O'Neal in a 114-109 triumph over Phoenix. O'Neal was held to just one field goal after scoring 18 points in the first half.
LAST NIGHTS NBA GAMES Charlotte 101, Memphis 86 Boston 98, Miami 83 New York 114, Phoenix 109 Detroit 95, Toronto 76 Milwaukee 133, Dallas 99 New Orleans 102, New Jersey 92 Houston 108, Utah 99 Washington 110, Sacramento 107 Cleveland 104, Portland 98 L.A. Lakers 108, L.A. Clippers 97 Oklahoma City 122, Golden State 121
LAST NIGHT IN THE NHL
N.Y. Islanders 2, Anaheim 1 New Jersey 5, Montreal 2 Philadelphia 5, Atlanta 3 Dallas 4, Florida 1 Boston 4, Toronto 3, SO Tampa Bay 5, Buffalo 3 St. Louis 2, Chicago 0 Los Angeles 6, Colorado 5 Calgary 5, Columbus 4, SO
Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward is so certain his sprained knee won't keep him out of the Super Bowl, he believes he could play this week if necessary. Ward didn't miss a game to injury all season, and he says he's not about to miss the Super Bowl against Arizona.
The New York Jets have introduced new head coach Rex Ryan after signing him to a four-year deal reportedly worth $11.6 million. Ryan replaces Eric Mangini, who was shown the door following a late-season collapse that cost the Jets a playoff berth. Ryan spent the past four years as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator.
* "Lost" is back on Wednesday nights. Others say "Lost" is now back in Texas.
* Yes, former President Bush is now living back in Texas, so he can be closer to the Dixie Chicks.
* A survey by AskMen.com found 71% of men have or would read their girlfriend's e-mail.
* Sexy Mira Sorvino broke five of her teeth while filming the new TV series, "The Last Templar." Sorvino was filming scenes on a speedboat when a wave knocked her head into a hook.
* Barack Obama announced today that he's running for re-election in four years... if for no other reason, to get another shot of doing the oath right. Maybe what Bush had was contagious?
* Amy Winehouse's dad says the singer was recently at death's door. Fortunately for Amy, death looked outside and was afraid to open the door.
* Grand Ole Opry star "Little" Jimmy Dickens, 88, has been moved from a Nashville-area hospital to a rehabilitation centre to recuperate from brain surgery.
* Warner Brothers is going to cut 800 jobs over the next couple of weeks. Employees will know when the final cuts are made with the announcement, "Uh-thee-uh---thee-thee-thee-that's all, folks!"
* A Cosmopolitan web poll found 81% of guys think a hookup can turn into a relationship.
* Matt Dillon has pleaded not guilty to a December 30 speeding charge in which police say they spotted the actor doing 106 miles per hour on an interstate highway.
* A musical based on the life of Barack Obama is going to hit the stage in London March 5th. The good news: It's not called "Obama Mia."
For the third time in his career, Billy Currington tops the country singles chart with his current hit, "Don't." The song is the first release from his latest album, Little Bit Of Everything, which was released in October.
* Currington said, "This is such an honor for me. 'Don't' is one of my favorite songs I've ever recorded, and it feels so good for country radio and my fans to embrace this song." * Currington plans to hit the road later this spring.
FAST FACTS
* Currington debuted in 2003 with the Top 10 hit "Walk A Little Straighter." * His sophomore album, Doin' Somethin' Right, produced his first two Number One hits -- the album's title track and "Good Directions." * Currington co-wrote five of the 12 tracks on his Little Bit Of Everything album.
TAYLOR SWIFT DOES SHANIA DUET WITH JONAS BROTHERS
Despite her bitter breakup with Jonas Brother Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift is one of the guests featured on the trio's soundtrack to their 3D Concert Experience film. Swift duets with the Jonas boys on a cover of Shania Twain's "I'm Gonna Getcha Good," according to Billboard. To be fair, 3D Concert Experience was shot while the guys were on tour last summer, which is when Swift's romance with Jonas was blooming.
* The soundtrack from 3D Concert Experience is due out on February 24th.
SIDE NOTES
* Rumors of Swift's romance with Jonas began being reported last August. The couple had split by October. Just a few weeks later, Swift began publicly bashing Jonas on various talk shows and in interviews. She even wrote a last minute addition to her new album about Jonas, called "Forever And Always."
FAITH HILL FITS IN A 'SIDE GIG'
Faith Hill has crossed a lot off her career "to do" list over the past several years. While she's far from finished, Hill tells us she's in a comfortable place and feeling no pressure to do anything other than be a great mom.
"I'm definitely satisfied. I'm not sitting, eating bon-bons and watching television. I'm a very busy mom, and that's really what I (am). I'm a mom who happens to sing on the side. It's kind of like my side gig now (laughs), but there are lots of things that I want to do. I'm working on a new album, and I also want to record a gospel album."
Since family comes first for Hill, projects get put on the backburner until the timing is appropriate, as she explains:
"There's lots of things I want to do, but they just kind of have to fit into my life, and if they fit nicely into my life then I can get 'em done. Like a movie takes so much time, or a tour . . . I'll do another movie at some point, but it has to be one where I can actually keep my clothes on and not be kissin' all over a man or a woman or whatever. That's all they seem to have for girls. It's true! It's just so sad
* Hill will perform during the pre-game festivities at the Super Bowl in Tampa on February 1st. * She is one of the superstars who lent their voice to "America's Song," an anthem that was written to mark the occasion of Barack Obama's inauguration. Other artists who participated in the recording include Will.I.Am, Seal, Bono, and Mary J. Blige. "America's Song" was unveiled during The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday (January 19th). It is available for free download at oprah.com.
KENNY CHESNEY TOUR TO HIT 12 STADIUMS THIS SUMMER
Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival tour schedule includes 12 stadium stops this year. His August 15th show at Boston's Gillette Stadium is already sold out, but fans in cities such as Dallas, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Salt Lake City and Seattle still have a chance to get in on the fun.
Chesney is even trying to soften the hard economic blow that Americans have been dealt by offering a section of "working class tickets" at his August 22nd show at Ford Field in Detroit.
* The Sun City Carnival tour will feature opening acts Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. The stadium shows will also include special guests Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry. * For a complete list of up-to-the-minute tour dates, log onto kennychesney.com.
FAST FACTS
* Chesney has drawn more than one million fans to each of his tours over the past seven years. * The superstar will perform on the upcoming Grammy Awards, where he is nominated for his very first Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Shiftwork," a duet with George Strait.
GARY ALLAN FINDS THAT WOMEN ACROSS THE U.S. ARE 'SO CALIFORNIA'
Gary Allan co-wrote his latest single, "She's So California," about the women in his home state, but as the singer tells us, he's finding that females all over the country are connecting with the song.
"I thought it was a great idea just because I'm from California. I don't know, I just thought we did a great job on it. Anybody that's from California would love it and we've been playing it all over live in our shows and not just the California girls love it."
* "She's So California" is included on Allan's 2007 album, Living Hard. * Allan will launch his 2009 tour on January 30th in Bossier City, Louisiana. The tour stretches into early June.
DOLLY PARTON TO PLAY FUNDRAISER SHOW IN NASHVILLE
Dolly Parton will play a rare show in Nashville on February 2nd at the Wildhorse Saloon. The show is a fundraiser for the city's W.O. Smith Nashville Community School, which provides music lessons to underprivileged kids. Parton will reportedly perform four songs, including "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." Other celebs on the bill that evening include Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn, Kellie Pickler and Keith Anderson.
FAST FACTS
* Parton wrote the music and lyrics for the musical version of 9 To 5, which debuts on Broadway on April 23rd. * The musical will include the film's original score, which was written and recorded by Parton, as well as 20 new songs. * The movie 9 To 5 starred Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman. It hit theaters in 1980.
* A memory pill that was first developed for Alzheimer's patients could be available for everyone in the next year or two.
* Kelly Osbourne has been taken into custody for allegedly slapping a gossip columnist who called her fiance dumb.
* Passengers aboard the US Airways jet that collided with a flock of birds, forcing the pilot to land in the Hudson River on January 15, will each be paid $5,000 to compensate them for lost luggage and other belongings.
* A Philippines police officer says he has captured video of the mysterious "White Lady" -- a ghost -- on his cell phone.
* Brad Pitt says he is not afraid of growing old, but is worried about how he will die. He's afraid of fire and tight places, but not sharks.
* By the way, his full name is Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland. You can thank his dad, Donald Sutherland, for those 7 names.
* New American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi is a distant cousin of Regis Philbin.
* ER's Parminder Nagra and her longtime boyfriend, celebrity photographer James Stenson, were married last weekend... just a month after announcing she was pregnant.
* Ozzy Osbourne and family are back in a variety-style show featuring skits, impersonations and audience games to air later this year on Fox.
* Country singer Jo Dee Messina has welcomed a baby boy into the world.
* Rachel Griffiths from "Brothers and Sisters" is expecting her third child in July.
* The man accused of killing three members of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's family in Chicago has pleaded not guilty.
* Country singer Jo Dee Messina and her husband have announced the birth of their first child, a boy.
* Marcia Cross's husband, stockbroker Tom Mahoney, has been diagnosed with cancer.
Another change in government: Col. Mark Tillman, who flew President George W. Bush 1,675 times in Air Force One, will leave his position as pilot after flying the president home to Texas.
Bob May has died at age 69. He was inside the robot suit in the old 1960s television show "Lost in Space."
Researchers from the University of California in San Diego have devised a test that helps gauge a woman's risk of heart disease by analyzing the nicotine content in her toenail clippings.
Over 24 million viewers tuned in for Grissom's last appearance on "CSI" last Thursday.
A nude photo of a 20-year-old Madonna is going up for auction next month and expected to get at least $10,000.
John Mayer is said to be planning to propose to Jennifer Aniston on February 11th, when she turns the big 4-0.
Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox settled a year-long dispute over the superhero film "Watchmen." The movie will open in theaters as planned on March 6.
Penthouse magazine founder Bob Guccione, 78, has married his live-in girlfriend, April, a former lap dancer.
Stevie Wonder is considering a run at "Dancing with the Stars."
Amy Winehouse says she won't let her husband Blake divorce her.
More than half of teen users of MySpace include information in their profiles about their sexual behavior and drug and alcohol use, according to a new study by the University of Washington in Seattle.
Britney Spears' new single is causing some controversy... because if you say some words in the refrain fast enough -- "If you seek Amy" -- it could sound like you're spelling out a profanity.
The New York Times claims that Barack Obama has been quietly consulting with his former opponent, John McCain.
Jo Dee Messina and her husband, Chris Deffenbaugh, welcomed their first child into the world yesterday (Monday, January 19th) in a Nashville hospital, according to People magazine. Noah Roger Deffenbaugh was born at 1:01 p.m., and he weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
FAST FACTS
Messina, 38, married Deffenbaugh, 28, in October of 2007.
The singer will have baby-in-tow when she begins a new tour this April.
Brad Paisley kicked off the final leg of the Paisley Party tour to a sold out crowd in Memphis on Thursday (January 15th) night. Gene Watson made a special appearance as the night's surprise opening act, in addition to previously announced openers Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley.
Paisley said, "The last time we played here in Memphis I got the worst review I think I've ever gotten. I remember it saying, among other things, that I was no Gene Watson. I certainly agree with that. That gave me an idea. In the spirit of giving everyone their money's worth, I asked Gene if he would join the show."
The Paisley Party rolls on to Austin, Texas on Wednesday (January 22nd).
Carrie Underwood will be performing at the upcoming Grammy Awards. The superstar is also nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her chart-topping hit, "Last Name."
Previously announced performers include Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry.
The 51st annual Grammy Awards will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 8th. The show will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.
FAST FACTS
Underwood has previously won three Grammys -- Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Before He Cheats" and "Jesus Take The Wheel," and Best New Artist.
Writer and producer David Foster appeared on a special episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Monday (January 19th) to unveil a brand-new anthem co-written with Will.I.Am to mark the inauguration of Barack Obama. With Foster on piano, the song "America's Song" was premiered with Will and special guests Faith Hill, Seal, Bono, and Mary J. Blige.
Winfrey is making "America's Song" available for downloading for free at her website, oprah.com.
SIDE NOTES
Hill will perform "America The Beautiful" during the pre-game festivities of the Super Bowl on February 1st in Tampa, Florida.
She previously performed the National Anthem during the Super Bowl in 1999.
The first single off Rascal Flatts' new album is already on its way to radio. The song is called "Here Comes Goodbye." The trio's new album, titled Unstoppable, will be released on April 7th.
The band wants fans to design the CD cover for the new project. Designs can be submitted online at PCAvote.com until tomorrow (Wednesday, January 22nd).
Unstoppable is the band's first studio album since 2007's multi platinum-selling project, Still Feels Good.
FAST FACTS
Since their career launched in 2000, Rascal Flatts have sold over 18 million albums and charted 10 Number One singles.
They are the reigning American Music Awards, Country Music Television Awards, People's Choice Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards Vocal Group of The Year.
Trace Adkins will be all over national television this week. He'll sing his hit, "You're Gonna Miss This," on The Ellen DeGeneres Show tomorrow (Wednesday, January 21st) (check local listings). Later that night, Adkins will perform his comical new single, "Marry For Money" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, airing on CBS at 12:35 a.m. ET. On Saturday (January 24th), Adkins will perform acoustically on FOX's late night show, Talkshow with Spike Feresten. That show airs at 11 p.m. ET.
SIDE NOTES
Adkins is up for a Grammy for his performance of "You're Gonna Miss This." The tune is also nominated for Best Country Song.
The 51st annual Grammy Awards airs live from Los Angeles on February 8th.
Jewel is writing music for the follow-up to her debut country album, Perfectly Clear. In the meantime, she is getting ready to release a special album of lullabies sometime this spring.
Before any rumors of impending motherhood get started, Jewel said this is a project she's been wanting to do for a while. She said, "I have wanted to make a record of lullabies, soothing dreamy songs, for quite some time. The lullaby record will include mostly original songs that I have written and then some that are classic songs. Some of my fans will recognize a few of the tunes from live shows and some are new and have never been played out. . . It's a sleepy, dreamy-time mix of music that goes right along with rocking a baby to sleep or a warm bath after a long day."
FAST FACTS
Jewel launches her 2009 Perfectly Clear tour tomorrow (Wednesday, January 22nd) in Dubuque, Iowa.
The Perfectly Clear album was released in 2008 and debuted at Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Redbook spoke with Alan Hirsch, M.D. author of "What's Your Food Sign" on how to decode his coffee order. What kind of lover is he? Just eyeball his Starbucks receipt:
Black Coffee-- he's aggressive and ambitious.
Chai Latte-- he's shy, stubborn, and cranky.
Iced Mocha -- he's seductive, dramatic, and flirtatious.
Cafe Au Lait -- he's totally traditional.
Hot Chocolate -- he's a dreamy romantic.
Iced Tea with Lemon -- he's sexually shy and inhibited.
Vive la difference, as the French say "long live the difference" between the sexes. But don't you guys and gals out there wish you knew exactly how your spouses and significant others really think? Real Simple magazine is on the case, and after surveying 2,600 men and women, it compiled a list of the five top wishes each of the sexes harbor:
Men wish:
They could really let loose on their bosses and let them know exactly how they feel. There are plenty of men who think they could do a much better job than the guy or gal getting paid way too much just to tell them what to do.
For a wife who's better in the bedroom. What male wouldn't want to be married to a woman who's a lady in the living room and a tiger between the sheets.
They had a spouse who makes more money. We could all do with a few extra bucks in our bank account.
There were more kids in their clan.
They could take separate vacations. We can only think this is so guys can go hunting or fishing together what other reason could there be?
Women wish:
They had a hubby who makes more money. Oops we'd better hope men don't get their wish first.
They could have plastic surgery. There are certainly ways that could go toward helping men get their second wish.
They could tell their bosses exactly how they feel undoubtedly they feel similar to their male counterparts.
There were more kids in the clan.
They had separate bathrooms probably the closest most men will get to their separate vacations wish.
When your ex asks for his stuff back, you say, "You know how to use eBay, right?"
You've published a pamphlet to distribute to his future girlfriends entitled "What to Expect When You're Dating Scum."
You continue to send his parents cards on special occasions.
You daydream about your ex becoming quite successful and famous so one day you can go to the tabloids with all the embarrassing stuff you know about him.
It's not uncommon for you to skip social engagements so you can stay home and cut up old photos of you and him.
You've mapped out a new running route that takes you around his block eight times.
He has a restraining order against you, as do his new girlfriend and his sister.
While you were dating, he told you his password is always his dog's name - and how you use that info to check his e-mail in-box, voice messages, and what he's been buying from Amazon.com.
You refer to him as "the force of evil."
You send a picture of him with his address to the Department of Homeland Security, with no explanation.
Here are five major ways folks waste their money. Stop wasting money in these areas and you'll never fret about your latte spending again. (from SmartMoney.com):
New Cars - Because cars depreciate fastest during the first two or three years of ownership, that new-car smell probably costs you 30% or more than if you bought the same car used.
Brand Names at the Supermarket - At the drug store or supermarket, some brand items are simply not worth buying. The generic versions are just as good and cost much less.
At the Office - Granted, we're paid to work, so the workplace isn't your logical money pit. Answer this, though: Are you taking advantage of all benefits your employer offers?
Cell Phone Early Termination Fees - if you want to change your carrier, just trade your service with someone else. Sites like Celltradeusa.com, can help you get out of your cell phone contract.
Here's a look at what's new on home video this week.
"Saw V" is the latest in the horror franchise. But this time psycho killer Jigsaw manages to continue his savage games, even though he's dead. An unrated version of the film is available on DVD and Blu-ray, accompanied by featurettes on the various traps the movie sets for victims, plus commentary with director David Hackl and collaborators. "Max Payne" goes from a video game to the big screen. Mark Wahlberg stars as a narcotics agent whose thirst for revenge over the deaths of his family and partner hurls him into a seedy underworld of conspiracy and supernatural hallucination. The movie comes in both its theatrical cut and an unrated version, accompanied by commentary with director John Moore. "Igor" is an animated comedy, with John Cusack providing the voice for the title character. He's a lowly, hunchbacked lab assistant who dreams of playing a mad scientist himself. The DVD has deleted footage and a behind-the-scenes featurette, while the Blu-ray disc also has an alternate opening and commentary with director Tony Leondis. "The Express" stars Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown, in a drama about football star Ernie Davis. He was the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy and a pioneer against fan racism. Davis died of leukemia before he could continue his career as a pro. DVD and Blu-ray extras include a segment on Davis that features NFL hall of famer Jim Brown, a featurette on the movie's football action and deleted scenes accompanied by commentary from director Gary Fleder. This week's TV on DVD releases include "Moonlight: The Complete Series," "Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger," "George Wallace" starring Gary Sinise and Angelina Jolie, "The Rockford Files: Season Six," and "My Three Sons: The First Season, Volume Two."
Not everybody prays because they want God to do something for them but most people do. A study at Massachusetts' Brandeis University found that 28% of people who pray ask God for something and another 28% thank the Almighty, but also make requests. Only 22% of prayers are just thank you notes to God. And prayer requests cover a wide variety of subjects. People plead for big things like health, jobs and good relationships, but also request little items like finding lost objects or getting parking spots. Interestingly, 90% of U.S. adults say they pray, with more than half praying at least once a day. Study head Wendy Cadge says it's important to know why people pray, especially if you believe prayer works.
These days, many men help out around the house, but a vast majority of them still consider doing laundry to be women's work. A new survey shows that two out of five men say they do up to five hours of household chores a week, and cooking is their favorite. But when it comes to fighting grass stains on pant legs and their dirty ring around the collar, men are nowhere to be found. Just one in 25 claim to enjoy doing the wash. (National Examiner)
People across the country and around the world will be watching today as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States Of America in Washington, D.C. The ceremony as well as the subsequent parade and celebrations will be televised on most national networks and cable outlets. The swearing-in ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. AZ TIME, and should take a little more than one hour.
The official program calls for California Senator Dianne Feinstein to welcome attendees, followed by an invocation by Dr. Rick Warren of Southern California's Saddleback Church.
After a musical selection from multiple Grammy winner Aretha Franklin, Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be sworn in as the Vice President.
Another musical selection conducted and composed by Oscar winner John Williams, will feature violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero, and clarinetist Anthony McGill.
At this point, the oath of office will be administered to President-elect Barack Hussein Obama by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. Then new President Obama will offer his Inaugural Address.
The ceremony will wrap up with a poem by African American poet Elizabeth Alexander, a benediction by the Reverend Joseph E. Lowery of the United Methodist Church of Hunstville, Alabama, and the National Anthem performed by the United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."
* The inauguration ceremony will be followed, at approximately 12:30 p.m. AZ TIME, by the Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The route for the parade is just one and a half miles, and will feature presentations by all branches of the armed forces; political and social organizations; and marching bands from colleges, universities, and high schools across the country. * The many inaugural balls begin at 5 p.m. AZ TIME. The Obamas are expected to make an appearance at a minimum of ten of these events. * For more on the inauguration schedule, log onto inaugurationtoday2009.com.
FAST FACTS
* BET and TVOne will also carry all-day coverage of the inauguration, the parade, and several of the inauguration balls. * As specified by the U.S. Constitution (20th Amendment), presidential terms of office begin and end at 12 noon on January 20th. * The Presidential oath of office consists of just 35 words: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
If it were left to movie fans to choose a president, Harrison Ford would be sitting in the Oval Office right now. That's the word from an AOL Moviefone.com poll that asked moviegoers to choose their favorite movie president.
Harrison Ford, "Air Force One" (1997)
Morgan Freeman, "Deep Impact" (1998)
Michael Douglas, "The American President" (1995)
Bill Pullman, "Independence Day" (1996)
Kevin Kline, "Dave" (1993)
Dennis Quaid, "American Dreamz" (2006)
Bruce Greenwood, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2003)
Rajon Rondo scored 23 points in the first three quarters, and Ray Allen scored 20 as the Boston Celtics coasted to a 104-87 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Shaquille O'Neal scored 16 with 11 rebounds for Phoenix, which had won seven of its last 10. Amare Stoudemire had just three points on 0-for-7 shooting. In a possible preview of the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers topped the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-88 behind Pau Gasol's 22 points on 11 of 13 shooting. Kobe Bryant dislocated the ring finger on his shooting hand but played the entire game and had 20 points and 12 assists.
LOTS OF OTHER GAMES IN THE NBA LAST NIGHT..... New York 102, Chicago 98 Dallas 95, Philadelphia 93 Atlanta 87, Toronto 84 Houston 115, Denver 113 San Antonio 86, Charlotte 84 New Orleans 103, Indiana 100 Minnesota 94, L.A. Clippers 86 Golden State 119, Washington 98 Detroit 87, Memphis 79 Portland 102, Milwaukee 85
IN THE NHL ON MONDAY NIGHT....... St. Louis 5, Boston 4, SO Washington 2, N.Y. Islanders 1, OT Tampa Bay 4, Dallas 2 Buffalo 3, Florida 2, SO Carolina 2, Toronto 0 Minnesota 4, Chicago 1 New Jersey 3, Nashville 1
Ken Whisenhunt hoped his Arizona Cardinals would be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 43. Whisenhunt and his assistant Russ Grimm were both Steelers assistants and were passed over for head coach in favor of outsider Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt says he was rooting for Pittsburgh to beat Baltimore for the AFC crown. The Arizona Cardinals are downplaying a screaming match between receiver Anquan Boldin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Coach Ken Whisenhunt calls it a "normal thing." Whisenhunt insisted the outburst would in no way disrupt the team. Boldin and Haley were seen arguing on television during the Cardinals' late touchdown drive in a 32-25 win over Philadelphia. The New York Jets have found a new head coach, working out a four-year deal with Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. The 46-year-old Ryan replaces the fired Eric Mangini and takes over a team that started this season 8-3 but missed the playoffs by losing four of its last five games. Ryan was a former Cardinals' assistant under his father Buddy.
"Man Versus Wild" host Bear Grylls and his wife Shara welcomed a baby boy at their home in England on Friday.
Where was J-Lo's wedding ring at the Golden Globes. She's saying now that it just didn't go with the dress. Don't you hate that when it happens?
Faith Hill has signed on to sing "America the Beautiful" during pre-game of the Super Bowl.
NBC has renewed "The Office," "30 Rock" and "The Biggest Loser."
Kate Winslet has real breasts. How do we know? Oprah said so. On an "Oprah Winfrey" show to celebrate the 2009 Golden Globe winners, Kate was a featured guest and Oprah, commenting on her sexual scenes in "The Reader," said, "I love that you have real breasts. Your breasts do what real breasts do!"
To make sure you can see "Dark Knight" on the big screen before the Oscars, it'll be back in theaters on January 23.
American artist Andrew Wyeth died early Friday. He was 91.
How about "The Adams Family: the Musical"? It's scheduled to open in Chicago this November.
Who's going to be presenting at the Oscars? They aren't going to tell us, to add a layer of mystery to the broadcast February 22.
Authorities detained Johnny Knoxville on Thursday for allegedly bringing an inert grenade into Los Angeles International Airport. He was later released and may be charged later.
Leona Lewis is the latest singer to get her own perfume named... Leona Lewis.
Madonna has been getting counseling from a Rabbi in New York since her breakup with Guy Ritchie.
Charlotte Church gave birth to her second child a week ago and now says she plans to marry the father of her two kids this summer.
A Lithuanian debt collector is using an unusual approach. Instead of collectors tracking down deadbeats, he's hired a witch to place curses on them.
Former Culture Club singer Boy George was sentenced Friday to 15 months in jail after being found guilty last month of falsely imprisoning Norwegian male escort.
Conan O'Brien will hand off the reigns of "Late Night" to Jimmy Fallon on February 20.
Aerosmith was supposed to start the new year in Venezuela... but guitarist Joe Perry had to undergo emergency knee surgery.
Steve Carrell has bought a general store in the historic Massachusetts town of Marshfield Hills, where he and his wife own a summer home.
A new tell-all book is coming out from a guy who said he had a secret affair with Oprah back in the 80s and the two of them even smoked crack together.
JOHNNY KNOXVILLE DETAINED AT AIRPORT: Johnny Knoxville was detained at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday (January 15th) for allegedly bringing an inert grenade on the premises. Security screeners spotted the grenade in the Jackass star's luggage, but a bomb squad determined it did not have a firing pin and didn't contain explosives. Knoxville was later released and allowed to board a flight, but prosecutors are deciding whether to charge him with bringing a prohibited item into a secure area of the airport. Knoxville told police the grenade was a prop he forgot to remove from his bag.
AMANDA BYNES DUMPS BOYFRIEND: Amanda Bynes dumped her boyfriend Doug Reinhart, Us Weekly magazine revealed on Thursday (January 15th). The actress began dating the baseball player -- made famous by his short stint on The Hills as Lauren Conrad's boyfriend -- in late 2008. A source close to Bynes told the magazine, "She ended it. She had had enough. Her friends didn't trust him. Everyone thought he was using her for celebrity. He was not good, and she was over it. It was definitely her who ended it." Earlier in the week Reinhart denied the relationship was in trouble, telling Us, "Everything is really good. We were just in the Bahamas, and we spent Christmas together ... everything's really solid."
LANCE ARMSTRONG ENGAGED?Lance Armstrong reportedly plans to marry the woman carrying his child. In Touch Weekly claims that the cyclist asked girlfriend Anna Hansen to marry him during a recent trip to Hawaii. A friend told the magazine, "Lance proposed on the beach. Although he has a reputation as a ladies' man, he's also very traditional, and just feels more comfortable being married before having a baby."
PARIS HILTON REPORTEDLY HAS LIP ENHANCEMENT: Despite past claims that she wouldn't have cosmetic surgery because she "hates needles," Paris Hilton has reportedly had her lips plumped. After photos of Paris sporting a fuller pout surfaced, cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist Dr. Lewis M. Feder told Fox News's Pop Tarts, "It definitely looks as though she had lip augmentation, probably with a hyaluronic acid like restylane on both lips." Hilton's manager, however, denied the rumor, telling the column, "She did not do anything to her lips. She has never had any type of plastic surgery whatsoever."
JEREMY PIVEN DEFENDS DIAGNOSIS:Jeremy Piven stood up to persistent rumors that he faked an illness to get out of Broadway's Speed the Plow on Thursday's Good Morning America. The actor insisted that he was forced to pull out of the show when doctors revealed he'd been suffering from mercury poisoning, the result of having eaten too much fish. He told host Diana Sawyer, "The last thing I ever thought about doing was not completing this run. I've never not completed anything in my life. They pulled me out of this thing, and that's the truth, Diane." He added, "The only protein I got for 20 years was from fish. I kind of thought I was doing the right thing."
STEVE CARELL BUYS MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL STORE: Steve Carell recently purchased the Marshfield Hills General Store in his home state of Massachusetts. The Office star, who is a part-time Marshfield resident, put his sister-in-law Tish Vivado in charge of the operation. The store's previous owner, Sherry Bechtold, told The Patriot-Ledger that she and her husband, Bob, sold the 155-year-old building and business to Carell after being convinced that he wanted it "for the right reasons." Vivado took over as store manager on January 1st.
'DANCING WITH THE STARS' PROS TALK ENGAGEMENT: Karina Smirnoff admits that when her new fiance Maksim Chmerkovskiy proposed, it didn't exactly go smoothly. She tells The Insider, "It was the most perfect proposal ever -- yet the most disastrous!" She added, "The box with the ring (a three-carat Harry Winston) was inside, and I thought it was the receipt or something. When I opened the box, I freaked out and closed it again. I re-opened the box, and he still wasn't saying anything! He tried to form sentences, but nothing would come out. We both stood there staring at the ring." Once he did start to speak, it took some time to find the right words. He said, "I started with, 'I've been with a lot of women...' My big advice to guys out there is to write it down and practice your speech!" The dancers, who will both compete on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, say they hope to marry by the end of the year.
HEFNER EX IS STILL CLOSE WITH HIM: One of Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriends says she has gotten even closer to the 82-year-old Playboy founder since their recent split. Bridget Marquardt, who is hosting the upcoming Travel Channel show Bridget's Sexiest Beaches, says Hef has "been really sweet" about the end of their relationship and has already extended an invitation for her future boyfriends to visit the Playboy mansion. She said, "We have gotten closer than ever. I will love him forever, there's no question."
JODIE SWEETIN CLEARS UP RELAPSE RUMORS: Jodie Sweetin has not returned to substance abuse in the wake of her impending divorce. The 26-year-old turned to People magazine to clear up rumors that have surfaced since she split with husband Cody Herpin late last year. She told the publication, "There are a lot of things being said about my using that are not going on right now. I want to make it known that I am absolutely, 100 percent sober." Although she admits to having a single relapse last summer during which she drank wine, the former meth addict says she "immediately called other people who are in recovery" and is maintaining her sobriety. Sweetin and Herpin are currently battling for custody of their nine-month-old daughter, Zoie.
BEAR GRYLLS WELCOMES SON:Man vs. Wild host Bear Grylls and his wife Shara welcomes their third child on Thursday (January 16th). The couple named their son Huckleberry Edward Jocelyne Grylls. They said in a statement, "Shara and the baby are both doing great."
SHARON OSBOURNE WINS SUIT AGAINST TABLOID: U.K. tabloid The Sun apologized to Sharon Osbourne for saying she put her husband Ozzy's life at risk by overworking him. The tabloid has also agreed to pay the family for libel damages and legal fees. Osbourne sued the paper after the 2007 article in which they accused her of "driving her frail husband Ozzy Osbourne to destruction."
A study from Queensland University in Australia found drinking just three cups of green tea a day can prevent weight gain even if you continue to eat junk food. Scientists fed laboratory rats a diet high in sugary treats. As might be expected, the rodents began to gain weight rapidly. Their blood pressure soared. But after green tea was added to the regimen, the extra fat melted away and their blood pressure returned to normal even though they continued to gorge on high sugar foods. (Sun)
If you want to stay mentally sharp as you age, be sure to eat right, get plenty of exercise and play video games. A surprising new study showed that elderly folks who added video games to their daily routine had improved cognitive skills in all areas, including memory and multitasking. "This is one way in which older people can stay mentally fit," says University of Illinois psychology professor Arthur Kramer. "The more training on the video game, the more the benefit." Although the results are promising, Dr. Suzanne Sorenson of the Alzheimer's Society stresses that a healthy lifestyle remains the best proven weapon in fighting mental decline. (National Examiner)
The long held view that too much sweet food makes kids hyperactive is nonsense, reveals a new report. It's all in their parents' minds, say researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine, who point to 12 highly scientific studies that found no connection between sugar and hyperactivity. The Indiana team also debunked the theory that you lose more heat through your head than anywhere else and say there's no quick cure for a hangover. (Globe)
Good news for fans of the puzzles in Globe. Scientists say tricky words and numbers games make you feel happier about the world. While they may sometimes seem frustrating, they actually reduce stress levels and ease anxiety. Brain sharpening activities take your mind off your troubles better than undemanding pursuits like watching TV or doing the dishes, a University of California study found. Puzzles also improve concentration, often a problem with stressed out folks. (Globe)
Hours spent surfing the Web might not be so mindless. Doing an Internet search actually stimulates the brain's decision making and reasoning centers, according to UCLA researchers. Googling gives your brain a workout since it requires you to decide whether to click on one page versus another, says study coauthor Gary Small, M.D., who wrote iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind. (Ladies' Home Journal)
(Happen Magazine) How an individual responds to animals tells you a lot about how he'll relate to you in a romantic relationship. Want some proof? Here are a few common scenarios of how people interact with their furry friends -- and what that indicates for their love life.
Your date's a disciplinarian -- If a person is constantly yelling at a big, clumsy, slobbery dog for being a big, clumsy, slobbery dog, what could that possibly mean for you the day you rub your date the wrong way?
Pets chow down at the dinner table -- If your dinner conversation is constantly interrupted by Bubba's big blond head popping up from under the table to get the lion's share of the appetizers, your date may have some boundary issues.
Your own pet makes them jealous -- Dates who are threatened by the time and attention you spend with an animal will likely be even more jealous of other things in your life-friends, relatives, work.
They use their own pet as a proxy -- If your date says, "Well, I would like to go to the Cape for the weekend but Tiffany, my Rottweiler, hates the beach," you could have a passive-aggressive type on your hands.
Their pet is overly accessorized-- This might indicate that the owner is either rich (no complaints here), or harboring a deep sense of inferiority.
They don't like animals -- Forget about them. That's clearly an evil person.
The number one pet peeve at work is idle gossip, according to a survey of by Harris Interactive for Randstad USA, followed by others' poor time management skills and messiness in communal spaces. Here's the top seven workplace pet peeves:
Gossip (60%)
Others' poor time management skills, including personal phone calls made at work and surfing the Internet (54%)
Messiness in communal spaces, such as unwashed dishes in the kitchen sinks (45%)
Potent scents, such as perfume, food and smoke (42%)
Loud noises, such as speaker phones, loud talking and loud phone ring tones (41%)
Overuse of electronic personal communications devices in meetings (28%)
Misuse of e-mail, especially hitting "reply all" when it's not needed or using the blind carbon copy feature (22%)
Only 34% said they would be willing to say something directly to the gossipy person, compared with 42% who would say something about loud noises or the 38% who would directly address a problem of messiness in communal spaces. In addition, just 8% said they would address a gossip problem directly with their boss, while 41% said they would do nothing about such idle chatter.
9 Ways to Reclaim Your Sex Life in 2009 (from Fox News)
Is one of your New Year's resolutions to reclaim your sex life? Here are nine easy tips to reclaiming your sex life:
Just Do It! It might sound silly, but just have more sex.
Connect. Do something non-physical -- together. You can't just turn sex on when it's time to go to bed.
Be Positive. In times of economic crisis, many couples may argue over finances. It's important not to act negatively outside of the bedroom if you want to have a positive relationship inside it.
Unplug. There's no urgent need to check your BlackBerry -- your relationship has to be a priority.
Be Healthy. Believe it or not, your health factors into your sex drive, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is imperative.
Fantasize. It's important to understand that sex, especially in a long-term relationship, is mental.
Pitch In. Men: If you want to get some action, it's time to take some action. Maybe you weren't getting any in 2008 because you weren't doing enough about it in 2008. Try helping around the house a little more and your female partner may suddenly be in the mood.
Don't Fake It. Aim for honesty.
Love Nest. Does your bed still have those outdated sheets that the baby once peed on? Is your bedroom cluttered with laundry just waiting to be folded? Maybe it's time to turn the bedroom into more of a "love nest."
Yeah, I'm a Vikings fan, but I will be cheering for the Cardinals to win this Sunday against the Eagles! (Sorry Sean) I will also be rooting for the Steelers to beat the Ravens too! (that's for you Woody)
I hope you all have a great weekend! Saturday I will be out announcing the races at Mohave Valley Raceway, then watching the games on Sunday!
Jessi and I will be back in the studio on Monday morning. We will be announcing the final winner in our "Win'em Before You Can Buy'em" Dierks Bentley Ticket Give Away. Jessi said she saw Dierks in Memphis on Friday!
Next Weekend, It's the Laughlin Desert Challenge! I will be announcing all the action again starting on Thursday night with the Laughlin Leap! Then all the racing action on Saturday and Sunday starting at O dark Hundred NV time! I really enjoy doing this event!
Sooooooooooo be good and we will talk to you on Monday!
Faith Hill will perform "America The Beautiful" during the pre-game festivities of the Super Bowl on February 1st in Tampa, Florida. Despite her years of touring and performing before thousands of fans, Hill told us that getting in front of those stadium crowds can be a bit daunting.
"It is intimidating. You go out there trying to tackle sixty-five, seventy thousand people, trying to give them the spirit and energy but also trying to bring a little bit of artistry to it as well."
* This is not Hill's first trip to the big playoff game -- the singer performed the National Anthem during the Super Bowl in 1999. * Jennifer Hudson is set to perform the National Anthem at the game. * Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
BRAD PAISLEY EXCITED TO HAVE HIS FRIENDS OUT ON THE ROAD WITH HIM
Brad Paisley began the last leg of his Paisley Party tour on Thursday night (January 15th) in Mississippi with special guests Dierks Bentley and Darius Rucker. Paisley told us he's particularly excited about having these two singers out with him because, in addition to being their friends, he is a fan of each:
"Dierks and I have a long friendship, going to back to when I had a deal prior to him having a deal and he handed me a tape at the Opry, and it's one of the few times I've actually been able to call somebody after hearing their tape and say, 'Hey, this is great!' This is back before he had a record deal. I left him a message and said, 'This is great! Good luck! I think you're gonna do great!" He actually did great, of course, and he's such a great artist. We're gonna have a ball. I think it's gonna be a great fit fan-wise. My fans are gonna love him."
Paisley first met Rucker when he was asked to play on the Hootie & The Blowfish frontman's debut country album, Learn To Live.
"I think he's just one of the coolest, most down to earth individuals, as well as of all the people that have crossed over lately, this is a guy who really, really loves country music. I've never seen anything like it. He likes it better than some artists that have never done anything but country music. I mean, this is a guy who knows his history. I think it's a real honor to have him out and to be one of the first tours where people will get to see this side of him."
* The Paisley Party tour runs through March, with a final show in Nashville on the 14th. * This weekend's tour stops are in Little Rock on Friday, New Orleans on Saturday and Pensacola on Sunday.
JAMEY JOHNSON'S ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON VINYL
Jamey Johnson's latest album, That Lonesome Song, will be released as a vinyl record. The special LP version will be in stores on January 27th. Since That Lonesome Song was released last summer, it has spent eight weeks in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart.
SIDE NOTES
* Johnson will be in Los Angeles to attend the Grammy Awards on February 8th. The singer is nominated in three categories -- Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "In Color." * While in Los Angeles, Johnson will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on February 5th.
EMERSON DRIVE MEMBER SHARES 'SCARY EXPERIENCE' ON FLIGHT
Emerson Drive lead singer Brad Mates and his wife, Jana, were returning from a vacation earlier this week when things went awry on their flight. The airplane, which was en route to Tennessee from Maine, was diverted to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport because, according to the Captain, they needed a longer runway. He followed up that announcement with another, warning passengers to expect a rough landing.
Flight attendants went over emergency crash positions with passengers, asking a few people to be in charge of opening the doors and helping people out of the plane.
Mates said, "As we descended toward the airport, the flight attendants made repeated announcements to 'duck and brace, duck and brace.' When we touched down, you could feel the plane was moving faster than it usually does for a normal landing. When the pilots pushed on the brakes, the plane vibrated, and then we finally came to a stop. I lifted my head from the crash position and looked out of the window to see several fire trucks, ambulances and other safety vehicles."
* As they were leaving the plane, Mates found out that the flaps on the wings would not work when the pilots had been cleared for landing, and without the flaps to help slow the plane, it lands at a speed unsafe for tires, brakes and control. * Mates added, "It was a pretty crazy, exciting, scary experience to say the least. One I won't forget!"
FAST FACTS
* Emerson Drive will release their brand new CD, Believe, this spring. The debut single, "Belongs To You," is currently making its way up the country charts. * Mates and his wife were married late last year.
COUNTRY TRIVIA
Q. Where did Ronnie Milsap attend a school for the blind as a child? A. Raleigh, North Carolina
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs is challenging Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to a candy-coated wager for Sunday's NFC championship game. If the Arizona Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles, Nutter must buy chocolate from Glendale's hometown confection-maker -- Cerreta Candy Company -- to give out at his next City Council meeting. If the Eagles win, Scruggs will distribute Hershey's chocolates made in Hershey, Pa., during her next meeting.
The Phoenix Suns host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight after a tough loss in Denver. Chauncey Billups scored five of his game-high 26 points in overtime and the Nuggets beat the Suns 119-113 last night. Grant Hill scored a season-high 25 points and Steve Nash had 20 points and 14 assists for the Suns. They played without center Shaquille O'Neal, who was inactive for the game.
Only a couple other games from Thursday night to report...... Portland 105, New Jersey 99 Chicago 102, Cleveland 93, OT The Phoenix Coyotes have moved into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks for fifth place in the NHL's Western Conference standings. Joakim Lindstrom scored the first two goals and the Coyotes spoiled star goalie Roberto Luongo's return to the Canucks with a 4-1 victory last night. Luongo was back in goal after missing eight weeks because of a groin injury.
Elsewhere on the ice last night..... Boston 2, N.Y. Islanders 1 Toronto 6, Carolina 4 Montreal 3, Nashville 2 Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 1 Minnesota 5, Edmonton 1 St. Louis 5, Colorado 2 Buffalo 5, Dallas 4, SO Calgary 3, San Jose 2 Detroit 4, Los Angeles 0
* Amy Poehler's new series will be in the style of "The Office," with Amy having a job in a local city government office.
* CBS has finally canceled "Swingtown," if you care.
* Adults use too loud MP3 players longer than high schoolers do, risking hearing loss, a survey by the American Speech Language Hearing Association in Rockville, Maryland, notes.
* The topless revue "Les Folies Bergere" is closing after 49 years at the Tropicana hotel-casino in Las Vegas on March 28 to make room for a new production.
* CBS says they're close to a deal with John Mayer to host a music/variety show.
* A Pennsylvania couple has been arrested after they failed to call the bank when a glitch recorded an $1,750 deposit as $175,000. Randy and Melissa Pratt took the money and ran to Florida, where they were in the process of buying a house when arrested.
* Jackie Chan is in talks to remake "The Karate Kid."
* Howie Mandel is back at work and says he's fine after the 53-year-old comedian was hospitalized in Toronto earlier this week for an irregular heartbeat.
* Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough and his wife Leigh have a son on the way in June.
* Employees who are laid off even once are significantly less likely to engage in social activities like book clubs and PTA meetings, for years afterward, the journal Social Forces reports.
* "The Office" star Steve Carell recently bought the Marshfield Hills General Store. The 45-year-old actor is a part-time resident of the town on Massachusetts' south shore. He put sister-in-law Tish Vivado in charge.
* "American Idol's" new judge, Kara DioGuardi, got engaged in December. Word is just now getting out.
Once I boarded the plane I sat down next to Barbara and Shannon from Mississippi. They just moved to Mississippi from Canada. They were in Las Vegas for Shannon’s 21 birthdays because Barbara is just a cool mom. I mean come on, that is one special mom that takes you to Las Vegas for your 21st! Barb is also a pretty good at taking pictures too! She took these pictures of the Grand Canyon, the beautiful clouds and Memphis on our approch.
We landed, got our bags and said our goodbyes and I got on the bus for Country Cares for Kids bound for the Memphis Marriott where I hooked up with Angela our St. Jude Rep who has the rest of my really cool pictures. Since I got there kind of late she had me check my bags (with my camera in them) and get on the bus to go to dinner at the Rendezvous. The Rendezvous is just the most amazing ribs place. I have some really good pictures of the Rendezvous as soon as I get them off Angela’s camera. And, NO I did not eat any ribs. I had the tastiest dish of beans and rice I have ever had! So, we are all sitting there having a really good time, enjoying the best of Memphis cuisine and who walks in??? LADY ANTEBELLUM!!!!! Charles Kelly is not only incredibility handsome; he is as sweet as pie too! It is now my mission for the rest of the weekend to hook him up with Angela. There is a very nice picture of me, Angela and Lady Antebellum but it is on her camera. If I have to go buy the cord she needs to email them to me tomorrow I will because you just have to see. As a matter of fact I can’t go on any further because telling you about Beal St. and B.B. Kings without the photos just wouldn’t be right! It is 12:30 here anyway and I have to get up at 5am so I better go to bed! I will continue tomorrow with pictures, God Willing! So, check back soon!
It is 21 degrees and I LOVE IT! I want to say thank you to General of Mill Tours for taking me to the airport! It was a stress free and comfortable ride! If you ever need to go to Las Vegas they are the people to call! 928-763-0022.
Once I got the McCarran and got my bag checked (Northwest Airlines charge $15 for your first bag and it goes up from there. That is just wrong!) and made my way up to D terminal, which of course is the furthest one, lugging my 30 pound carry on bag. Anyway, I got through security after taking pretty much everything out of my carry on and headed straight for the bar. I had one of the best Bloody Mary’s I have ever had in my life and talked to Kofi an Air Traffic Controller from Memphis who had a great time in Las Vegas. He went to see the Blue Man Group while he was here and said it was a fabulous show! If I have done everything correctly there should be a picture of him here.
Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry are the first round of performers announced for the 51st annual Grammy Awards on February 8th. The event will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Kenny Chesney is nominated for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Shiftwork," featuring George Strait.
SIDE NOTES
Chesney has yet to win a Grammy award.
"Shiftwork" peaked at Number Two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival stadium shows will include performances by former tourmates Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry. The superstar recently announced that Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum will open all Carnival dates.
Chesney said, "I've been on the road with both Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry. Jennifer (Nettles) and Kristian (Bush) and Eddie (Montgomery) and Troy (Gentry) are all people who get the road, get the fans, get having fun and are all about getting out there and having the best time they can on that stage, and when Sugarland or Montgomery Gentry comes off, you know those people were rocked."
This year's stadium shows include Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio; Heinz Field in Pittsburgh; Chicago's Soldier Field; Qwest Field in Seattle; Ford Field in Detroit, and Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis.
SIDE NOTES
A complete list of Sun City Carnival tour dates, cities and venues is now available at Chesney's official website, www.kennychesney.com.
Martina McBride's hometown team, the Tennessee Titans, may have lost their bid for the Super Bowl, but the singer will help cheer on the winner of the AFC Championship game on Sunday (January 18th) in Pittsburgh. McBride will perform the National Anthem before the Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. The game airs on CBS at 6:30 p.m. ET.
FAST FACTS
McBride's new album, called Shine, will be released on March 24th.
The album's debut single, "Ride," is a Top 25 hit and climbing on the country charts.
The video for Keith Urban's new single, "Sweet Thing," will make its global premiere on myspace.com tomorrow (Friday, January 16th). This will be the first country music video to debut on the website.
The clip includes shots of Urban's vintage Ford Mustang.
Urban said, "It's a great thing to be able to shoot, edit and get a video out there as quickly as you can these days. The Internet and MySpace, in this case, gets the music to the fans fast, and I love that."
FAST FACTS
"Sweet Thing" is the debut tune off Urban's upcoming untitled album, due out on March 31st.
Urban recently announced plans for a 58-city North American tour this year. Official dates have not yet been announced, but opening acts will include Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Glen Campbell and The Zac Brown Band.
Montgomery Gentry celebrates the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Tattoos & Scars, this year. They might have collected few more scars over the years, but they are definitely sporting more tattoos. Troy Gentry got new ink during his recent trip to the Big Island, as he tells us: "It's a sea turtle. I got it done over in Hawaii (during) our last trip over there. We visit Hawaii all the time, and I've always wanted to get a tattoo while I was over there and it just never had felt right 'til this time, and I found a local artist that did the Hawaii tribal kind of stuff and (I) had a leatherback turtle put on my right shoulder and (it was) just one of those 'had to do it' kind of things."
Gentry added that he had some reservations about getting this tattoo for several years before finally committing to it. "All the other tattoo places I've been in have just been really commercialized. (I) had asked around to a lot of locals that had the tribal tattoos on 'em. The one thing in common with all of 'em (was) they all had the same artist (who) did their tattoos, and I thought, 'Well, that was impressive,' so I got the guy's name and went over to his shop and hung out and talked to him for a little bit, and it was just . . . You know when something feels right, so it finally happened after nine years of going back and forth."
Montgomery Gentry recently charted their fifth Number One hit with "Roll With Me."
Keith Urban is certainly getting a lot of side work these days. In addition to having the Number One song in the country this week as part of Brad Paisley's hit, "Start A Band," Urban found time to lend his voice to Lee Ann Womack's latest album at the request of Womack's producer, Tony Brown.
Urban appears on a song called "The Bees," a collaboration that Womack told us she never thought would happen.
"Tony called Keith. I kept rolling my eyes thinking, 'Okay, now let's get serious. He's not gonna have time. He's havin' a baby and all this stuff,' and I thought they were probably in Australia, and I just didn't know, and one day I was on my way to the studio and Tony said, 'Hey, Keith just got here,' and I said, 'You're kidding!,' so when I got there he was putting the part on."
Womack's album, Call Me Crazy, was released in October of last year.
The singer will visit The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday (January 19th), followed by The Bonnie Hunt Show on Wednesday (January 21st).
Womack will also attend the Grammy Awards on February 8th in Los Angeles, where she's nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Grand Ole Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens is recuperating in a Nashville hospital after undergoing brain surgery on Tuesday (January 13th). The 88-year-old entertainer was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, or a bleed in the brain. Dickens is said to be resting comfortably.
SIDE NOTES
Fellow Hall of Fame member Charley Pride underwent similar surgery five years ago.
Dickens was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
He recently celebrated his 60th anniversary as an Opry member.
Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin practiced Wednesday, and says he will play in Sunday's NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald form arguably the best receiving tandem in football. Boldin says a trip to a Dallas chiropractor has greatly improved his strained left hamstring.
Injuries have limited Brian Westbrook's production this season, but the Philadelphia Eagles still rely on their dynamic running back, even if he's only a decoy at times. Westbrook missed one game with an ankle injury and another with broken ribs. He also has sore knees.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says his club is relatively healthy for Sunday's AFC title game against Baltimore.
The Ravens have some injuries, including top defensive stalwarts Samari Rolle and linebacker Terrell Suggs, but the Steelers say they expect all of Baltimore's players except linebacker Antwan Barnes to play.
NFC Championship- Philadelphia at Arizona, 1 p.m. AZ time AFC Championship- Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 4:30 p.m. AZ time Super Bowl- Sunday, Feb. 1 in Tampa, FL at 4pm AZ time
The Phoenix Coyotes skate in Vancouver tonight. Phoenix began its four game road trip Tuesday with a 6-3 loss at Minnesota. Captain Shane Doan had two assists in Tuesdays game to bring his team-leading point total to 41.
NHL Scores From Wednesday 1/14/08
Ottawa 3, Atlanta 2 Washington 6, Pittsburgh 3 Chicago 4, Buffalo 1 Detroit 4, Anaheim 3
The Suns grind it out tonight against the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix is 22-13, eight games behind the Lakers in the NBA's Pacific Division. Phoenix is coming off a 107-102 win Tuesday against the Altanta Hawks.
NBA Scores from Wednesday 1/14/08
Chicago 102, Toronto 98 Indiana 110, Detroit 106, OT Philadelphia 100, Portland 79 Boston 118, New Jersey 86 New York 128, Washington 122 Miami 102, Milwaukee 99 Oklahoma City 114, Utah 93 New Orleans 104, Dallas 97 San Antonio 112, L.A. Lakers 111 Atlanta 97, L.A. Clippers 80 Sacramento 135, Golden State 133, 3OT
* An estimated 30.1 million people watched the season debut of "American Idol" on Tuesday night. The top-ranked drama last week didn't even manage to pull 20 million. * Ricardo Montalban, who played Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning. He was 88. * Eddy Curry, the center for the New York Knicks, has been slapped with a sexual harassment suit by his former driver, David Kuchinsky. * It's called "sexting." When teens use their cell phones to send naked pictures of themselves to someone else. * A new study from Durham University in the United Kingdom concludes that people who drink more than seven cups of instant coffee a day are three times more likely to hallucinate than those who drink just one. * A meat that is increasing in popularity because of its price: raccoon. You can get one cleaned and frozen from $3 and up, that feeds 4-5 people. For the record, recipes for how to prepare raccoon were in the original 1931 edition of "The Joy of Cooking." * Days after checking himself into a Los Angeles hospital for pneumonia, Patrick Swayze says his condition is improving. The 56-year-old actor, who is battling pancreatic cancer, tells People, "I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way. * Decorator Michael Smith from Los Angeles has been selected to design the White House private quarters for President-Elect Barack Obama. * A week after their second daughter's birth, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have announced her name: Seraphina Rose Elizabeth. * Howie Mandel was out of the hospital and back at work on "Howie Do It" yesterday. * Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80. He may be best known as playing the bad guy in the movie "Silver Streak" with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. * W.D. Snodgrass, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who had a nearly 40-year teaching career, has died after a four-month battle with inoperable lung cancer. He was 83. * Daniel Radcliffe, forever to be known as Harry Potter, says that American theater audiences are noisy and rude and have no respect for the arts. * Tito Jackson is being sued by a Brooklyn woman who claims that she is his daughter. * Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac are getting ready to hit the road for their "Unleashed" tour. * You knew this had to happen eventually: the TV show "Prison Break" is in its fourth and final season. * Taylor Swift is going to be a guest star on an upcoming episode of "CSI." * Fergie just got married Saturday, but there's already a rumor going around that she's pregnant... with twins! * Bridget Marquardt called her ex-lover Hugh Hefner "rude" for replacing photographs of her before she left the Playboy Mansion. * Jessica Alba surprised her husband last weekend for his 30th birthday by rounding up 80 of his family and friends and flying them in for dinner in Las Vegas. * Cherry Jones, the president on the latest installation of "24" underwent gall bladder surgery this week. It won't affect the show: her scenes have already been shot. * "American Idol" is suing a Texas men's club for holding a "Stripper Idol" contest. Can you imagine the bad auditions for THAT one?
Thanks so much for dropping by the Red White and Blue Blog! I hope you enjoy all the cool stuff Kirt and I have posted for you here today.
Make sure you keep dropping by over the next few days. I am on my way to Memphis for the St. Jude's Conference and I will be blogging to you along the way and posting pictures of my trip!
Keep listening to the Morning Jolt all this week to win Charlie Daniels Tickets before you can buy them. He will be at Harrah's Laughlin April 24th! Also, DON'T FORGET to keep listening for Derks Bentley songs on Kflag. When you hear one write down the time and song then come back to Kflg947.com, click on Derks's gorgeous body and enter each one. For every song you enter you will have an entry to win. Kirt will anounce each day's winner the next morning on the Morning Jolt!
Miss me while I am gone! And, I will talk to you Monday at 6am! Enjoy the video
Mariska Hargitay is suffering from a collapsed lung, the result of a freak skiing accident in the Hamptons on New Year's Eve. The breakup rumors continue, but J-Lo and Marc Anthony are going to be in DC for the inauguration next week. If you eat two eggs for breakfast every day for two months, you could very well lose weight -- as much as 65% more weight than if you eat a bagel instead, according to Pennington Biomedical Research Center's laboratory of infection and obesity. Tom Cruise, who portrayed Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a Nazi who led an internal plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II told London's Daily Mail that the Nazis had "great uniforms." Whoops, he meant they were well designed. Paul McCartney's ex, Heather Mills, is now sporting a very short haircut. Ray Romano is returning to series TV for the first time since his "Everybody Loves Raymond" ended four years ago. TNT has ordered 10 episodes of his midlife-crisis drama "Men of a Certain Age," which is set to premiere this year. Howie Mandel, 53, was hospitalized in Canada with an irregular heartbeat. He in Toronto taping his new show "Howie Do It!" Monday when he was taken to the hospital. Jennifer Love Hewitt has won a restraining order against a 62-year-old man she says has been stalking her. Joseph Brooks, the guy who wrote Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life" is being accused of sexual assault by several women who claim they were lured to his apartment for a movie role, only to be assaulted. Britain's royal family says that their Christmas tree fell over right before they were going to open presents. Never use Vicks VapoRub in children under age 2. This common cold remedy can actually cause respiratory distress in very young children when it is inappropriately applied directly under the nose, according to researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. If you sleep less than seven to eight hours a night or you sleep fitfully, you're far more likely to catch a cold. Those who don't rack up enough time in bed are three times more likely to get a cold, while those who sleep poorly are five times more susceptible, according to a new study from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Neiman Marcus Inc. is cutting about 400 jobs across the country.
Since the days of Adam and Eve, gals have known one thing with certainty -- men don't have a clue. And, no doubt, guys feel the same way about women. But Barbara and Allan Please, authors of "Why Men Don't Have a Clue and Women Always Need More Shoes," have some advice that can help both sexes get a grip on what's going on and make a lasting love connection. Here's a test for the ladies. Do you agree with these statements about your relationships with men?
Nagging will pay off in the long run -- No. Stop nagging and re-train him. Leave his dirty shorts and wet bath towel on the floor until he figures out they don't wash themselves. He's not stupid, only lazy. He should enjoy shopping as much as you do -- Never. Men find shopping stressful. But he can be trained if you go "hunting" for only one item. It's like bagging game. And keep shopping jaunts to 30 minutes or less with no browsing. Without a remote to channel surf, he's lost -- True. Accept this fact. If it drives you crazy, get another TV and snuggle down with your pet and a good tearjerker. They're stupid not to ask for directions -- Wrong. Incredibly, men have an innate ability to find their way without asking for help. But it can't hurt to keep a map in the car. If you're really lost, ask for a potty break and he can get directions without admitting he's up the creek without a paddle.
Guys how much do you know about women? See if you agree or disagree with these statements, then check out the Peases' tips for how you can get along better:
She wants you to solve her problems -- Wrong. Instead of instructing and problem-solving, listen and be supportive. Believe it or not, women can, and do, figure out solutions to their difficulties. All they need is your support and a hug. Women have too many shoes -- Never. Accept it. There's no such thing as too many shoes. Stop counting and find something else to obsess about. Women make such a big deal over the toilet seat being up -- True. If you've never fallen into a toilet in the middle of the night, you won't understand why it's such a big deal. The perfect solution is his and hers toilets. If this can't be arranged, be gallant and put the seat down. They beat around the bush, instead of getting to the point -- True. Men and women communicate on different levels. You want her to get to the point, and she will -- eventually. Sit back, nod and agree, don't offer any solutions since you don't have a clue and give her a big smooch when she's done.
(Sun) Your romantic style can be anything from showering your mate with affection to handling chores for your over worked spouse. Discover how you show your love by taking this quiz:
How do you end a phone conversation with your partner? A. Love you. B. Bye-bye. C. See you later, honey.
How would you like to celebrate your anniversary? A. With a getaway to a bed and breakfast. B. Working on a pet project together. C. Dinner and dancing.
If you were a fabric, how would you be described? A. Warm and cozy. B. Machine washable. C. Soft and durable.
When your mate has a bad day, what do you do? A. Get out the lotion and rub his/her tired tootsies. B. Coral the kids so he/she can relax. C. Listen sympathetically.
Analysis Mostly "a" - Although you extravagant expressions of love may be appreciated, you might want to tone it down a bit. Whispered words of love and simple gestures work, too. Mostly "b" - You're a practical person who shows love by doing something useful. But be sure to occasionally show your affection in more romantic terms, with love notes and kisses. Mostly "c" - You enjoy all the trappings of romance, although your partner may not be overly affectionate. Ignite his/her passion by doing something unexpectedly sentimental.
From American Woman magazine, "Secret Reasons Why Men Cheat." Men don't cheat on their wives because they want a younger sexier more busty woman, psychotherapist and marriage counselor from New York City; Miriam Biddelman says the following are the true reasons.
Feeling flushed with sucess, modest amounts of power and money can be aphrodisiacs. Feeling overshadowed by a spouse, her pay-raise or new found body may be keeping his ego in check. Completing the past, when the so-called men were boys the girls that rejected them, now as an adult they try to succeed with. Feeling unworthy of a spouse's love, men with self-esteem problems may feel gulity about their happy marriage or relationship, and seek to sabotage it by having an affair. Buying into the male stereotypes, pop culture glamorizes the stud, so, many men have to brag about the extramarital conquest.
Self magazine says 55% of you don't discuss your salary with close friends. Keeping your wages under wraps is usually wise, but there is an exception, says Liz Weston, a financial expert in Los Angeles. If you suspect you're underpaid, telling a confidant in your field how much you make can offer a window into your worth.
Cosmopolitan reports eight glasses of water a day from the tap will cost you about 50 cents a year. The same volume of bottled water will cost you roughly $1,500. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that having overweight friends and relatives increases your risk of obesity but what matters is how close you are personally, not geographically. What gives? Having a supersized friend, sibling or spouse may make tipping the scales seem okay, so you start eating more or exercising less. Your risk of bulging like your buds, if your supersize bud is your:
Same sex sibling, 55% Husband, 44% Female friend, 38% Opposite sex sibling, 27%
The next time your compliment a co-worker on her gorgeous new bag and she boasts that it was a steal, be suspicious. Women are more apt to lie to a colleague than to a stranger about having snagged a bargain, the Journal of Consumer Research reveals.
A recent study from Hamburg-Eppendorf University in Germany reinforces what most married men have already come to accept as an unfair but immutable fact of life, a woman's sex drive winds down as soon as she hooks a man. Researchers found that 60% of women in their 30s wanted sex on a steady basis at the start of a relationship, but after four years, that figure dropped to less than 50%, then diminished to 20% after 20 years.In contrast, the sex drive of men seemed to keep chugging along even up to 40 years after marriage.
Everybody's talking openly about unmentionables these days. From thongs to pushup bras and from boxers to briefs, neither Victor nor Victoria has any secrets anymore. Even celebs like Michael Jordan and supermodel Heidi Klum hawk under-wares. The National Examiner offers these fun facts about underwear:
Feminist wouldn't have had any bras to burn if Mary Phelps Jacob hadn't tied two scarves together in 1913 to invent the first breast supporting system. In 1928, Maidenform standardized modern cup sizes for brassieres. Since 1991, the average cup size in the U.S. has ballooned from 34B to 36C. The loincloth like the leather jockstrap sported by Tarzan was probably the first style of underwear. Easy to make and use, loinclothes remain the most popular undies in the world for many cultures. Men's briefs didn't appear until 1935. The original knitted drawers, which came in long or short styles, featured an overlapping Y-shaped fly. Polls reveal that 41% of men prefer briefs while 12% prefer boxers. Polls reveal that 37% of women prefer bikini briefs while 17% prefer boy shorts. For New Year's Eve, tradition dictate Italians don red underwear and Argentineans sport pink, while Brazilians can wear any color undies as long as they're new. Brazilians launched the thong as a swimsuit in the '80s. Thong underwear has since become wildly popular among panty line conscious women. Pantyhose were invented in 1959 by Glen Raven Mills in North Carolina. In 1965, the miniskirt craze inspired the company to make pantyhose seamless.
Andy Rooney of "60 Minutes" turns 90. Of course, he's been acting 90 since he was 60 and that's why I'm confused.
Jason Bateman turns the big 4-0 today. You may not have heard of him, but mark my words, years from now when I say the name "Jason Bateman" you're probably going to pause and think for a moment and then say, "Who?"
L.L. Cool J turns 41 today. For this birthday, we're going to buy him another initial.
Funny guy Mark Addy turns 45 today. If you ever have a chance to catch his old series in reruns, "Still Standing," I think you'll get a laugh or two out of it.
Brad Paisley charts his ninth consecutive Number One hit this week with his latest, "Start A Band," a duet with Keith Urban. Paisley is the first artist to pull off this feat in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay. "Start A Band" is the debut single from Paisley's new album, Play.
Paisley launches the final leg of his Paisley Party tour this weekend with shows in Memphis, Little Rock, New Orleans and Pensacola. Dierks Bentley will join the singer on the 25-date tour, along with Darius Rucker throughout January and Crystal Shawanda opening shows next month.
The Paisley Party tour will have played to over 60 cities when it plays the final show in Nashville on March 14th.
More than 200,000 tickets have been sold so far for the remaining 25 shows and will rank the tour as one of the top tours in the first quarter of 2009.
Kenny Chesney will get his Sun City Carnival tour started on April 17th with the first of two shows in Uncasville, Connecticut. The 50-date run wraps up on September 19th in Indianapolis, Indiana. In between, Chesney will visit such major markets as Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Detroit.
Chesney's show at Gillette Stadium in Boston on August 15th is already sold out.
Chesney said, "We're gonna try to mix it up again this year. We've got a bunch of football stadiums -- because that is an experience like no other, but we're also going to do some amphitheatres and arenas, and knowing us, we'll probably pop up in a bar or honky tonk or two along the way. What's important is getting out there, and bringing the music to life. That's so much a part of who I am, and what I do.... And I'm ready."
The singer will be joined on his Sun City Carnival tour this year by opening acts Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. For a complete list of tour dates, log onto kennychesney.com. Information about fan club-based pre-sales can be found online at kennychesneyfanclub.com.
Reba McEntire is currently in the studio with longtime producer Tony Brown and new addition Mark Bright. She is working on her first album for Nashville indie label The Valory Music Company.
McEntire said, "As for the direction of this album, I've always tried to find the best songs I could. I'm delighted with the findings! I hope the fans like them too."
McEntire is expected to release a new single sometime this spring. The new album is due out this summer.
In the meantime, McEntire can be heard singing with Brooks & Dunn on their latest hit, "Cowgirls Don't Cry."
FAST FACTS
Prior to signing with Valory, McEntire recorded for MCA Records for 25 years.
McEntire returns as host of the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards for the 11th time in April.
BE LISTENING TO KFLAG COUNTRY WEDNESDAY MORNING TO THE MORNIN JOLT TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE REBA AT THE ORLEANS IN LAS VEGAS!! Alison Krauss and Robert Plant have reunited to begin working on their second album together. A source tells us that the two started the recording process in a Nashville studio yesterday (Monday, January 12th), where they are expected to remain for the next few weeks.
Their first album, Raising Sand, was released in late 2007 and is nominated in five categories at the upcoming Grammy Awards on February 8th.
Krauss and Plant won a CMA Award in November for Musical Event Of The Year for "Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)" from Raising Sand.
The album has sold more than one million copies in the U.S.
The two singers went on tour together last year in support of the album.
Toby Keith has invited Jack Ingram back out on the road this year to open a series of shows on the second leg of Keith's Biggest & Baddest tour. Ingram will perform in various markets throughout the month of February, beginning on February 5th in Asheville, North Carolina.
Ingram opened a string of dates last year on Keith's Big Dog Daddy tour.
Ingram will release a new album on March 17th. The project's working title is Big Dreams and High Hopes
It was 40 years ago today (January 13th, 1969) that Elvis Presley began his second most famous recording sessions. On the heels of his triumphant 1968 NBC "comeback special" he entered American Studios in Memphis to leave behind the artistic malaise that permeated most of his '60s soundtrack work. Alongside his 1953 to 1955 Sun Records recordings, and legendary '50s RCA/Victor singles, Presley's "Memphis" tracks have become known as his most important work, resulting in his massive comeback hit, "Suspicious Minds."
At the time, American Studios was one of the hottest studios in the U.S., the birthplace of hits including B.J. Thomas' "Hooked On A Feeling"; Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline"; and Dusty Springfield's "Son Of A Preacher Man" -- as well as her legendary Dusty In Memphis album. Producer Chips Moman ensured that Presley selected the best songs available from all music publishers, not just the companies Presley owned, ensuring that Presley's voice, matched with crack session players and great songs, would be an unbeatable combination.
For more than five weeks, Presley dug in and recorded seminal tracks including "Rubberneckin'," "Inherit The Wind," "Wearin' That Loved On Look," "Any Day Now," "Long Black Limousine," and "Stranger In My Own Hometown." Among the hits recorded during the sessions were "Don't Cry Daddy," "Kentucky Rain," the Number Three hit "In The Ghetto," and his first Number One hit in over seven years, "Suspicious Minds."
Over the years the songs from these sessions have been scattered over many different albums, starting with 1969's From Elvis In Memphis and 1970's Back In Memphis. Today, the best place to collect Presley's legendary 1969 American Studio Recordings is The Memphis Album, released in the 1980s. In 2003, an updated dance remix of Presley's "Rubberneckin'" charted throughout Europe.
Patrick Swayze has pneumonia and has checked himself into a hospital for observation.
Actor Steven Gilborn, who appeared in scores of movies and television shows, most notably as Ellen DeGeneres's father on her mid-1990's sitcom, lost his battle with cancer on January. He was 72.
An author has been given permission to write a third "Winnie the Pooh" book, the first sequel since the 1920s.
Jennifer Love Hewitt has won a restraining order against a 62-year-old man she says has been stalking her.
Name one of the industries that was great last year? Comic books. Sales were up 5%. The best seller of all: Marvel Comics "Secret Invasion #1."
Polaroid cameras aren't coming back, but the company is coming out with the "Pogo": a digital camera with built-in color printer.
Jimmy Page's manager has said once and for all that Led Zeppelin will never reunite again.
Black Eyed Peas star Fergie and actor Josh Duhamel are officially husband and wife after tying the knot in Malibu, California on Saturday.
Amy Winehouse's incarcerated husband has launched divorce proceedings after seeing photos of her frolicking with another man in the Caribbean.
Billy Mays, that screaming infomercial guy, is getting his own show on the Discovery Channel, called "But Wait, There's More!"
For the record, men are losing jobs in this recession faster than women. Current unemployment rate: 7.2% for men, 5.9% for women.
Last Friday, in the town of Normal, Illinois, a couple exchanged wedding vows at a Taco Bell. They wanted to keep the ceremony simple and stress-free.
Not everyone is down-sizing. New government statistics show that 34% of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7% who are just overweight.
Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died. He was 67.
Cheryl Holdridge, one of the Mouseketeers from the 1950s "The Mickey Mouse Club", has died. She was 64.
Taylor Swift will appear on an episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as a teenage girl whose family manages a seedy Las Vegas motel.
Jennifer Lopez was not the first choice to open the Golden Globe Awards. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were originally scheduled, but bowed out fearing it could cost them a chance to present at the Oscars.
American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl - an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.
Charlotte Church finally gave birth to her second child, a boy, at her home in Wales on Sunday.
The Obama's haven't made their final decision yet on the first dog, but they have whittled down the list of possible breeds to just two: Labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound.
Yes, that was Alex Rodriguez out on a date last week with someone other than Madonna. In fact, it was Kate Hudson.
Those who get the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday off next Monday are heading into a 3-day weekend.
MARISKA HARGITAY ON THE MEND FROM COLLAPSED LUNG: Law & Order SVU star Mariska Hargitay is suffering from a collapsed lung, but her rep tells Access Hollywood it's not going to interfere with her work on the show. The rep also said that Hargitay was not injured on the job and was on vacation from SVU when her condition was diagnosed. A collapsed lung is usually caused by some sort of injury, but it can also occur spontaneously.
JENNIFER LOPEZ GETS BRANGELINA'S LEFTOVERS?Jennifer Lopez reportedly only opened Sunday's (January 11th) Golden Globe Awards because Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were not interested in the honor. A source close to the show's planning told MSNBC's The Scoop, "J.Lo wasn't the first choice. They were hoping that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would open the show; it looked good, then all of a sudden, Brad and Angie weren't interested anymore. J.Lo was happy to do it, and there you go." The Scoop adds that folks involved with the Academy Awards were telling potential presenters that if they made a "splashy" appearance at the Globes, then their chances of a having a similar presence at the Oscars are less likely.
TOM BRADY AND GISELE BUNDCHEN ENGAGED:Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen are engaged. People magazine reported on Monday (January 12th) that the New England Patriots quarterback proposed to his girlfriend of two years last Friday (January 9th). A source close to the couple told the magazine, "He asked and she accepted." The insider added that an official announcement and preliminary wedding details are being prepared this week. "The couple is discussing a huge fashionista event in the spring or a more intimate and quicker ceremony in Costa Rica, where Gisele has a home." This is the first marriage for both, though Brady has a one-and-a-half-year-old son from his previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.
KATE HUDSON HAS A NEW MAN?Kate Hudson is reportedly dating Australian golfer Adam Scott. Reports from the PGA tour say that the pair recently spent the weekend together at the Kapalua Resort in Hawaii. Scott, however, attempted to clear up the rumors with a denial at the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Championships. He said, "I'm not here with her but I know Kate. We met here (for the first time). We have a mutual friend so we met through him."
RENEE ZELLWEGGER ISN'T RULING OUT FUTURE MARRIAGE: Despite her short matrimonial experience with Kenny Chesney in 2005, Renee Zellwegger is not ruling out another walk down the aisle. The actress tells Marie Claire, "I never say never about anything, because I look back on my own personal history and it shocks me. If I would ever have said, 'Oh, for sure this is going to be in my future,' most of my experiences would not have been on my list. So I don't even bother thinking about it, because I've learned that there's no anticipating that stuff." Still, it'd be hard for Zellwegger to settle down even if she wanted to. The actress clarified her marital status, saying "I'm not single, I'm busy."
'UGLY BETTY' STAR WELCOMES A DAUGHTER:Ugly Betty star Christopher Gorham and his wife Anel welcomed their third child over the weekend. The actor, who played America Ferrera's boyfriend Henry on the show, told People magazine that daughter Alondra Cecilia Lopez Gorham, who was born on Saturday (January 10th) is "perfect." The couple already has two sons, Lucas and Ethan.
ISLA FISHER AND SACHA BARON COHEN READY TO WED: Long-time couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are finally planning on tying the knot. The actress tells Allure magazine that after seven years and one child, a wedding is imminent. She said, "We are going to get married, really, really, even more now than ever. We have been talking about it and we have been very close, but it has been difficult to plan." The Confessions of a Shopaholic star converted to her fiance's religion of Judaism two years ago, shortly before the birth of their daughter, Olive.
RYAN SEACREST COMMENTS ON BRANGELINA RED CARPET DISS:Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie dissed Ryan Seacrest on Sunday's (January 11th) Golden Globes red carpet. Although the mega-stars stopped to talk with NBC's Billy Bush, they ignored the American Idol host as he got up close to the couple and said, "Hi, guys. Brad? Angelina?" Referring to the incident on his radio program Monday morning (January 12th), Seacrest said, "I don't think Angelina thinks I'm that important. I don't think I'm top of mind for Brad and Angelina. I honestly don't believe they'd know who I was if I walked over there." Seacrest clashed with the Changeling star in 2006 when she gave curt replies to his questions, after which he called her "cold."
MATILDA LEDGER TO GET DAD'S GOLDEN GLOBE: Heath Ledger's mother said that her granddaughter Matilda will eventually look after the Golden Globe Award he won posthumously on Sunday night (January 11th) for his performance in The Dark Knight. Sally Bell told People magazine, "I should imagine that eventually it will be going to Matilda. At this stage she is only so young, but down the track she will have all these things. It will belong to her because she is part of him." She added, "It is such a fantastic and wonderful legacy for his daughter. Matilda will have so many people who will be able to speak to her about her father's abilities and (the) respect he had in the industry. That is such a wonderful legacy to leave."
