The man behind Emma Stone's breakout hit, Easy A, is directing Annie. Will Gluck has landed the coveted job. But while he settles in, star Willow Smith has vacated the title role.
Sony has found a visionary to breathe life into Annie. The classic musical, which has been adapted more times than we can count, has a director. According to EW, Will Gluck will helm the new film.
For the past few years, Annie's been in development at the studio. It's a collaboration between rapper Jay-Z and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Overbrook Entertainment. Jay-Z will produce the soundtrack, which is ironic considering one of his biggest hits sampled, "Hard Knock Life."
"At the helm of Annie, [Gluck] will bring to this film all the charm of the original Broadway production while also appealing to a new generation," Doug Belgrad, president of Sony’s Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of production for the studio, said in a release.
The behind the scenes talent has come together nicely, but they still need a star. Willow Smith was initially attached to play the title role, but has since aged out. She was nine years old when the project first came around. At age 12, she's now too old for the part.
Annie has been adapted for the stage, big screen and television. The character was played by Andrea McArdle in the original 1977 Broadway production. Aileen Quinn filled the role in the 1982 film, while Alicia Morton took over for the 1999 made for TV movie.
Most rationally minded people rejoice when they hear a couple is having a baby. So why do we inwardly cringe when we hear that some couples are in the family way, especially if the dad is of an age that would make conceiving impossible if he were a woman?
Alec Baldwin
While the Baldwin camp is not confirming nor denying baby rumors, recent photos of the newly-married Hilaria Thomas appear to reveal a baby bump. Will this be another mistaken identity of a food-baby, or is the 28-year-old wife of the 54-year-old Alec Baldwin expecting? We are still sort of trying to wrap our heads around Baldwin marrying a yoga teacher who is 26 years younger than him, so we responded to baby news with an "ewww" face. We must remember that Baldwin’s 17-year-old daughter Ireland, from his marriage to Kim Basinger, told Page Six Magazine that she’s "always had a great relationship with her dad," even if he does pop off and call her a thoughtless little pig occasionally.
When Kelsey Grammer dumped Camille Grammer more or less as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cameras were rolling, we couldn’t help but smirk. Camille came across as a typical Beverly Hills overindulged, superficial ninny who fretted over her first world problems, like how to manage all her nannies. But when Kelsey, 57, publicly announced that his flight-attendant mistress was pregnant, we stopped smirking. No one, not even fame-hungry Camille deserved such a slap in the face. Kayte has since become Grammer’s fourth wife, and the couple have gone on to have baby Faith, whom they took to a Halloween party at the Playboy mansion in Oct. 2012. Does a midlife crisis get any tackier?
Michael Douglas annoyed men everywhere when he married the stunningly beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones in Nov. 2000. Many scoffed at the 25-year age difference and assumed this would be another Hollywood marriage that would be over before we could say "high-powered divorce attorney." Boy were we wrong!
Michael and Catherine have been married for 12 years, they have a son and daughter and have helped each other through challenges that may have ended other marriages. As Michael put it in an interview with Oprah in April, 2011, "My oldest son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me, and I got cancer. It's kind of hard for the wife to say, 'I'm depressed.'" Douglas was referring to Catherine’s bi-polar diagnosis. This couple proves the old adage, "You can usually, but not always, judge a book by its cover."
Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, are "only" 15 years apart, making them barely eligible to be singled out for their age difference. The fact that this couple has two small children doesn’t make us say "ewww" so much as it makes us wonder about the future of the babies. Elton John was 65 when their second son was born, and David was 50 — making them older than some grandparents of newborns. Is it fair for folks who have lived a full and rich life to "experience parenthood" at an age when most are starting to cash out retirement funds? When Elton and David’s two young sons go to school, explaining why they have two dads won’t be a big deal. But explaining why they have two dads on oxygen and in wheelchairs might be!
Another song has emerged associated with the release of Safe Haven starring the striking Josh Duhamel and the adorable Julianne Hough.
Why do we love movie trailers so much?
They give us the top five scenes in the whole movie combined with some sappy music that makes us feel deeply emotionally connected to the plot. I mean, do you remember Safe House and that Kanye West song "No Church In The Wild" came on? You felt badass.
Now, for the upcoming cry-fest just in time for D-Day — I mean V-Day — we have the latestSafe Haven trailer, which made me stop eating, stop whining, and start believing in love all over again. I don't know if it was watching Josh Duhamel gaze passionately at the screen or Lissie's impeccable rendition of this Fleetwood Mac song, but regardless, I am s-o-l-d.
Aren't we all looking to find a movie romance?
Let's blame mass media for the wretched and unrealistic views we have about love. But, now that the blame has been delegated, we can accept that deep down most of us want what we see on the big screen. This song, if only for a few moments, gives you the warmth and nostalgia of a passionate encounter and a flutter in your heart similar to the one when you realize you've fallen in love. My stomach was in knots and I know it wasn't the bag of cookies I ate while listening to it.
Fleetwood Mac vs. Lissie?
Not even going there. How can you compare the upbeat rendition from the reputed band to a silky sounding indie singer? You just can't. But if you want to slip into something warm, turn on the fireplace, reminisce about the tumultuous moments of love in your life or the ones yet to come, you may just fall in love with this version as much as I did. It's slower and more airy and emotional. Thumbs up from me!
It's ironic it's for a movie called Safe Haven because this is exactly the type of song you want to run and hide in.
Listen to it and you'll know exactly what I mean.
Photo courtesy of Danny Clifford/Hottwire.net/WENN.com
In a music drought? Check out what else we recommend:
It's officially award season! You may not be able to strut down the red carpet in designer gowns, but you can still host an Oscar-worthy party at your own home. From centerpieces to red carpets to glittery printables, we've got you covered to throw a party worthy of an award!
Decorating for a glamorous and glitzy awards party can be as fun as attending one if you follow these simple design and decor tips. To make the event even more real-life, have your guests show up in fun sparkly dresses and tuxedos!
Pick a theme & color scheme
What kind of awards party do you want to have? Pick a theme and decorate accordingly. If you're going for a more vintage, Marilyn Monroe-esque Hollywood party, have your guests dress the part in tuxes and fun dresses. Feature a red carpet and incorporate vintage accessories and props, like fancy Champagne flutes, silver bar accessories, old-school printables like these lights, camera, action cut-outs, vintage frames, chalkboard menu signs and table numbers. If you want something more glitzy and modern, add sparkly elements to your party like these DIY Champagne flutes or add fun glittery poms to drinks and apps.
Decorate without spending an arm and a leg by using fun awards-themed printables and games. Buy a set, like this one, which comes with everything you need, from invites to cake toppers. You simply buy, print and decorate! You can also make your own printable artwork by typing Grammy-nominated song lyrics or Oscar movie quotes into a Word document, adding colors and fun fonts, and hanging in frames around your living or dining room. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, feature custom-made ballots with names on them and put them at everyone’s place settings. The games double as place cards and a fun activity during dessert.
You can also use printables to spruce up your cupcakes, appetizers and drinks. Print off a few of these fun award-themed toppers to put on your cupcakes or cakes. You can also add these fun tags to the stems of your Champagne flutes for added pizzazz. If you’re serving popcorn to go with a movie theme, make easy paper popcorn flutes and decorate them with vintage printable popcorn labels.
Feature a photo booth
Can't afford a photographer to snap photos of your friends or family? Set up an in-home photo booth for a vintage-themed gathering and let your friends take their own photos. Simply set up a camera on a tripod and have your guests use an automatic timer or remote control to take a photo. You can also leave disposable cameras around so guests can snap photos of each other on a whim. Add glitzy props, like a sparkly Oscar statue, tiaras, fake diamonds and glasses for a fancier party, or use cut-out mustaches, a printable Grammy, guitars and frames for a more casual Grammy party. Secure a fun backdrop, like a printable poster of the Kodak theater, or add fun frames and artwork to a plain white wall.
Whether you're having a sit-down dinner party or a buffet, a statement centerpiece is a great way to set the tone for the party. Add large white ornaments, elegant features and beads to a silver vase for a large, chic centerpiece. For a more retro fete, stick a few glittery black elements into a vase filled with white blooms and place a few black silhouette Oscar statues next to it. You can also add a few sparkly stars to a tray of brightly colored drinks for a centerpiece that also doubles as a drink station. Or forgo a large centerpiece and create a fun, sparkly table runner out of gold confetti.
There’s nothing better after a long, cold winter than the first batch of spring flowers. Unless of course you could fill those flowers with wine! Now, my friends, you can. Give a toast to spring with these festive wine glasses perfect for a ladies brunch, a wedding shower, or just to give as a gift. These glasses are inexpensive and relatively easy to make, and the best part is the options are only limited by your creativity.
Supplies:
Wine glasses
Multi-surface craft paint
Paint brushes
Paper plate for paint
Small cup for water
Paper towel for wiping and drying your brushes
Puffy paint or paint pen if you want to add names
Instructions:
1
Step 1
Keep in mind that this project is all about layering paint on the outside of the glass. As cute as these glasses will look from the outside, the best part is how they look inside the glass. Spend some time thinking about what kind of flowers you want to make and how you want them to look from the inside so you can layer properly. For best results, layer contrasting colors. For example, start with a light color, and then use a darker color for the second layer, and so on. Look at some real flowers for inspiration. Start by creating the flower centers. I used yellow and brown paint to make small dots around the stem of the glass. Once that was dry, I painted over it with a lighter yellow color.
2
Step 2
Create your stems by painting the stem of the glass green.
Paint some green leaves on the base of the glass, and feel free to add little vines or any other designs. If you aren’t super artistic, you could also just paint the base green.
3
Step 3
Create some detailing for the first layer by drawing petal shapes, stamen-type lines, or any design of your choice. You can also paint details for your petals in this step, like small dots or veins. Let dry completely.
4
Step 4
Create your first layer of petals if you plan to have more than one, or simply paint your petals on the glass. Be sure coats are completely dry before adding a new coat or a new color.
When you paint on your final coat, be sure to paint all the way down to the stem to cover up the yellow center.
5
Step 5
Add any finishing touches like names, butterflies, or bees. Pour yourself a glass of wine and admire your work. The paint should adhere to the glass even with use. Hand-wash gently after use.
Life is stressful for the working gal. Between managing a career, a family life and an endless to-do list, our stress levels have never been so high.
Reduce your stress
Life is stressful for the working gal. Between managing a career, a family life and an endless to-do list, our stress levels have never been so high.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 60 percent of all women are currently in the workforce. Compared to previous times when it was much more common for women to stay home, a lot of us are feeling stressed.
Even though more and more women are working, we’re usually still expected to keep the house clean, cook the meals and take care of the kids. To say the least, it’s stressful. Here are a few tips for managing stress if you’re managing both a career and home life.
Wake up earlier
As hard as it is to wake up in general , waking up even 10 minutes earlier can significantly reduce daily stress. Give yourself that much-needed “me time” in the early morning to set a good tone for the rest of your day. In those precious 10 minutes , you can read or meditate, go for a walk, take a longer shower, have a cup of coffee and read the paper or simply gather your thoughts and organize your day. Trust us — you will live a more relaxed lifestyle by giving yourself some alone time each morning.
Treat yourself
You work hard for the money, so reward yourself! Make sure your reward lets you stay within your budget, of course, or else you’ll just cause yourself more stress. We recommend small weekly or even daily rewards. Examples of daily indulgences include Starbucks coffee in the morning, listening to your favorite album during lunch or a hot bath with a glass of wine in the evening. Weekly indulgences may be getting lunch with a girlfriend, going on a hike or getting a pedicure. Giving yourself things to look forward to is a huge stress reducer.
Learn to say “no”
Saying “no” has always been an issue women deal with. We’re people-pleasers, we overcommit and we try to do it all. These three things alone are guaranteed to cause stress. Next time someone asks you to do something, whether it’s organizing an office party or taking on extra work, think long and hard before saying “yes.” If you’re already swamped and know it will only increase your stress level, simply say “no.” Don’t feel guilty and move on.
Sleep truly is the magical cure — it significantly helps reduce stress and can even help you lose weight. If you’re not sleeping well, your body naturally goes into stress mode. Blood pressure rises and stress hormones increase. If you’re already stressed out, staying up trying to get everything done will only increase your problems. Be willing to put things off until tomorrow. As a working gal, getting your eight hours of shut-eye will help you perform better at work, be more alert and be able to accomplish more in any given day. Yes, we all want to go to bed with a sparkling clean house, but learning to let those little things go in order to get more rest will ultimately reduce your stress in the long run.
Sentimental ramblings, a lunchtime squabble, and Jenna being... Jenna. Did you get everything you needed from the 30 Rock finale?
Watching the 30 Rock finale was rough on everyone, but we made it through. Was there anything that wasn't absolute perfect about their last hurrah? We surmise that there was not. They wanted to make a great final show, to "go there" and "there" is where they went.
When the show started off, things had changed. Nearly everyone had already said goodbye to Lemon . She was busy trying to figure out how to love being a stay-at-home mom, despite not actually liking it. Jack was finding that no matter how many people he pissed off in his new position, he still wasn't happy. So he let it all go. Kenneth , meanwhile, was enjoying his new spot at Jack's desk while trying to keep programming wholesome and his first assistant in line with... spankings?
Baby, come back...
Except when Tracy's contract mandates that the crew come together to make one final episode, it's far from a party. Havoc breaks out instead.
At the top of the last episode drama list is, of course, deciding what to order for lunch. Inevitably it's Lutz's turn and, of course, he wants something awful... Blimpie.
They try multiple ways of talking him out of it, but there's no use. Finally, Lemon throws herself on him and locks him into her cleaned out office. Sushi and cake! ...or not.
When it finally arrives, Lutz has crawled through the ceiling tiles and collapses onto the table and the yummy food. He gets his way: Subs for everyone. Blerg!
To make things worse, Lemon's having a hard time keeping track of Tracy. At first, it seems like he's trying to avoid filming the last episode because he wants the $30 million cancellation prize. As it turns out, though, he just really doesn't want to say goodbye to his friends. He and Liz have a heart-to-heart at the strip club and then they're on their way.
Meanwhile, Jenna can't figure out what to do with herself now that TGS has ended. First, it's City of Angels... the veterinarian where she gets her dog sleeping pills that put her to sleep so she can fly to Los Angeles. However, when she gets off the plane she discovers an airport full of blonder, younger and prettier versions of herself.
She shuts it down, heads home, and gives drama TV a try... except playing a dead hooker really isn't her style either. She finds herself back on Broadway, doing The Rurah...Rurur... Oh, forget it! She's doing a stupid play of that one movie she did during the first season.
Then there's Liz and Jack. When Liz turns up in his office for guidance on finding a job, again, he admits he doesn't actually know anything and Liz takes it not just hard... but bitterly. All these years she's listened to every word he's said with baited breath and always followed his advice, only to find out he was full of it?
A rift is formed and Jack can't seem to cross it to get back to her. So, what's he do? He fakes his own death, of course, and sends Lemon running to the yacht club where Jack's actually just preparing to go on a cruise in search of the next big idea that will keep him happy.
He admits he loves Liz... like a friend, not anything else, but like as something nice to have around and something you don't want to go away. She tells him she loves him, too. Then he sails off... about 30 feet until he realizes the answer to all his problems lies in clear dishwashers.
Happiness? What the what?!
In the end, Liz finds a new show to work on and, of course, some of the old gang are still around. On Tracy's birthday, she remembers to call him, but he's busy catching up with his dad, who finally returned home from buying cigarettes.
Pete's wife finally tracks him down , Kenneth is still in Jack's office and Jack finally gets a gorgeous lady assistant.
Things are good in the world of Liz Lemon. Things are real good. ...which is all she was ever trying for anyway.
Which famous celebrities have birthdays in the month of February? Whether you are expecting a baby in this romantic month — or celebrate a birthday yourself in February, find out if you share a birthday with Steve Jobs, Rihanna, Elizabeth Taylor — or former U.S. presidents George Washington or Abe Lincoln.
February celebrity baby names
Which famous celebrities have birthdays in the month of February? Whether you are expecting a baby in this romantic month — or celebrate a birthday yourself in February, find out if you share a birthday with Steve Jobs, Rihanna, Elizabeth Taylor — or former U.S. Presidents George Washington or Abe Lincoln.
It is always fun to find out who your baby will share a birthday with — and perhaps their birthday buddy will have a name that will also inspire you. Cool baby names inspired by famous February birthdays include Lincoln , Rihanna and Axl .
Here are the celebrities who celebrate their birthdays this month. Click on the names to find out the meaning and origin of the name.
If you were born between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18, you are an Aquarius. If you were born between Feb. 19 and March 20, you are a Pisces. The most popular holiday in February is Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. Groundhog Day is celebrated on Feb. 2, while the Chinese New Year is celebrated on Feb. 10. The next Leap Year, which is on Feb. 29, is not until 2016.
Tim McGraw still looks hot at 45 years old. He credits his sobriety to his great shape and clear mind.
Maybe we have been living under a rock, but it came as a surprise to us to learn Tim McGraw is sober. We didn't even know he struggled with an addiction. And while McGraw may not have spent any time in rehab, he did discuss his sobriety with People magazine for its February 2013 issue.
Said McGraw on his alcohol use, "I drank a lot from my point of view and I needed to stop." He continued, "I felt quitting was something I needed to do. I didn't feel I had any moral high ground with my kids in the long run."
People magazine reported McGraw said he decided to quit drinking about five years ago when he and his fellow country superstar wife Faith Hill began to headline their Las Vegas shows at the Venetian.
The magazine noted the positive effects of McGraw's sobriety when it took photographs of him playing basketball with his band — shirtless — and his hot body was obvious.
McGraw told People he enjoys working out and staying active. "Working out is a great way to go out on stage," he said. "When I hit the stage, my adrenaline is going and I'm ready."
Continuing with McGraw's sober message is his new album, Two Lanes of Freedom, out on Feb. 5, 2013. Fans will also get to catch him live when he takes his new music on a 30-city tour in the spring.
Most important to McGraw — and a major motivator for his path to sobriety — is his family.
"I'm in a good place right now," he said. "I really feel like this new album is not a culmination of the things I've done, it's a new beginning of the things I am going to do. I want to enjoy my career and having my family. I have a busy life, but it is a fulfilling life."
Not too rich or saucy, quinoa pasta with creamy vegetable sauce hits the spot on a gluten-free Friday!
Not too rich or saucy, quinoa pasta with creamy vegetable sauce hits the spot on a gluten-free Friday!
Time to twirl dinner!
Note: Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows.com tries to ensure these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Mix up your favorite marinara sauce with ricotta cheese, add some vegetables and you have the makings of a great dinner! If you haven't tried quinoa pasta, give it a go! It's a nice alternative to regular pasta that is off-limits to those with a gluten intolerance or allergy.
Quinoa pasta is high in protein and iron, which is a nice benefit. It comes in several different shapes, but we used spaghetti style for this recipe. For a final touch, we popped this pasta dish in the oven to heat it through evenly.
Quinoa pasta with creamy vegetable sauce recipe
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
8 ounces quinoa pasta , cooked according to package directions
1 cup sliced zucchini rounds, cut in half
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
12 ounces prepared marinara sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil to a large saute pan and, when it's hot, add the onion. Cook for a few minutes, then add the red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the marinara sauce with the ricotta and mix well. Add the red pepper flakes and mix again.
Add the marinara sauce mixture to the vegetable mixture and combine.
When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce mixture. Mix well so the pasta is coated with the sauce.
Add the pasta to the casserole dish and bake for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is heated through.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Developing good oral health habits at an early age is essential for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Whether you have toddlers or teens, it's important to teach and remind your kids about the importance of dental health.
How to get your kids to brush and floss
February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Developing good oral health habits at an early age is essential for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Dental Care for Kids
Whether you have toddlers or teens, it's important to teach and remind your kids about the importance of dental health.
Some kids take to brushing and flossing right away, while others feel that taking care of their teeth is another dreaded chore. Help your kids realize the importance of dental health with these creative tips and tricks.
Teach your kids about their teeth
For kids who don't like to brush, you need to do more than hand them a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste. Teach them all about their teeth — the different types of teeth, their locations, shapes and different jobs. Adults have 32 teeth — eight incisors, four cuspids, eight premolars and 12 molars.
Incisors: Located in the front of the mouth , the eight incisors have chisel-shaped crowns that cut food.
Cuspids: Located next to each incisor, the four cuspids have pointed edges to tear food.
Premolars : Located next to the cuspids, these four pairs of teeth crush and tear food.
Molars: The 12 molars come in sets of three at the back of the mouth. The wide surfaces of these teeth grind food.
Read books about dental health
Young kids are more apt to understand dental health and other subjects if they see the topics illustrated in books. From the time your children are infants, you should begin to incorporate books about dental health, teeth brushing and visiting the dentist into their regular reading. Read these books about dental health to your little ones. You can find them at your local library or bookstore.
The American Dental Association also offers an animated online book to teach your kids about going to the dentist. You can check outVisit the Dentist with Marty at ADA.org. Kids will also love to play Toothbrush Patch and the many other games that teach about dental health on the Colgate Kids website.
Do an eggsperiment
Crest put together a simple experiment that you can do at home with your kids to show them why brushing their teeth matters. The experiment reveals how teeth can become soft and weak when exposed to the acids in everyday foods. Plus, it demonstrates how toothpaste helps protect the teeth. For the experiment, you need eggs, vinegar, toothpaste and some other common items that you have around the house. This fun eggsperiment takes five or six days for the kids to see the results. Check out all the details and instructions at Crest.com.
HealthyTeeth.org also offers a number of other experiments and activities aimed at elementary age kids. This information is produced by dentists and can teach your kids about everything from cavities to braces.
Buy the right brush
There are a lot of toothbrushes and pastes out there geared toward young children, but our new favorites are the FireFly toothbrushes.
With a simple press of the button, the FireFly Ready Go Toothbrush mimics a traffic light and flashes to let kids know how long to brush . Kids start brushing with the green light. The yellow light lets them know they are half way done, and then the red light flashes when they can stop. These toothbrushes feature characters that they know and love including Angry Birds, Barbie and Spider-Man. Also try the FireFly Fluoride Foam Toothpaste. It's easy to use with less mess than traditional toothpaste.
We caught up with five style bloggers pre-Valentine's Day to get their favorite red or pink beauty item of the moment.
Open any of these fabulous bloggers' closets and you'll find an array of super-chic duds and heavenly beauty goods. That's why, in honor of Valentine's Day, it only made sense for us to get the scoop on these fashionistas' must-have red and pink products.
"Instead of doing simple red nails for Valentine's Day, I think using a pop of sparkle for a fun twist on a classic pink mani is perfect for this special day! Try using Sugar Daddy and Beyond Cozy by essie!"
"Nothing screams chic like a red handbag. Every woman should own one! This beauty from Marc by Marc Jacobs has an amazing shape and is big enough to fit my necessities, my iPad and my planner! Score!"
"We're dying over these dramatic pastel pink glitter pumps from ShoesOfPrey.com! Every girl should sparkle on the day of love whether you're single or taken!"
And just one more...
While he may not be a girl, Zack Tanck is just as fabulous. Here's his favorite men's product of the moment . The good news? It's totally female-friendly, too!
"Hands down, this is my all-time favorite candle. The masculine scent is spicy and sexy, with base notes of cedar and white musk. Even if your guy isn't a candle guy, he'll be obsessed with this one!"
Gross! Katie Couric reveals Larry King assumed she would sleep with him on their first — and only — date.
Uh, what universe does Larry King live in? Katie Couric sat down with Jimmy Kimmel Thursday night and told a very disturbing story about her first — and only — date with Larry King in which he not only assumed she would sleep him, but pretty much threw himself at her. Weirdo.
Katie Couric took the stage at Jimmy Kimmel Live and looked fabulous and chic in a black, long-sleeved dress. Anyway, as the interview progressed, Jimmy Kimmel finally seemed to get around to what he really wanted to ask Couric: Are Larry King's claims he used to date Katie true? Katie smiled and seemed hesitant and a bit uncomfortable. Her explanation of her and King's "date" made it obvious why: Larry King is kind of a jerk. Katie laughed as she said, "[Larry King's] recollection of the event is very different, Jimmy," and she went on to tell this terrible, terrible tale.
"Alright, so I was about 30 years old and I was going through this period in my life where I was like, 'I'm going to go out with anybody who asks me because you learn something every time you go out with a new person, you learn something about them and something new.' So I met Larry at this restaurant in Washington [D.C.], and what can I say, Jimmy, I was wearing a leather skirt. And so he called me [later] and he asked me out to dinner, and I thought, 'Well, that would be really interesting to have dinner with Larry King.' So he picks me up… he was driving a Lincoln Town Car… and we go to K Street to this Italian restaurant. [The restaurant] puts us right next to each other, like they do with all the men and their nieces…" Katie tells us a bit more about their odd dinner and then finally reveals why Larry King is gross: He just assumed she would sleep with him.
"So we're driving home and I see we're going over Memorial Bridge and that's not the way to my apartment and I say, 'Larry, where are we going?' And he goes, 'My place!' And I was like, 'Oh, mother of god!" Couric says it was awkward because she had absolutely no idea how to remove herself from the situation. She ended up going into Larry Kings' apartment — which was filled with pompous memorabilia — and her story makes our stomach churn with what happened next: "What can I say? He lunged… the whole situation was out of a bad Lifetime movie."
Gross. This entire story creeps us out. Keep in mind that when Katie Couric was 30 years old, Larry King thought he could easily sleep with her despite the fact that King was in his 50s.
You can watch the entire Katie Couric/Larry King dating horror story below:
Photo courtesy of Ivan Nikolov/Winston Burris/WENN.com
Glee gets us sweating with their latest fundraiser to help Lima; Rachel has a reunion and a life-changing decision at hand.
Justice comes at a price
New Directions has made it to regionals! How, you ask? Because the Warblers were disqualified for their Lance Armstrong-ing . Their performance-enhancing cost them the competition, but also meant the glee club would have to put down some cash to travel to regionals. Tina , ever-desperate to attract Blaine , coins the idea of a "Men of McKinley" calendar. I applauded at this point.
Mostly everyone was stoked, particularly Sam , who made sure to be extra-chiseled for this purpose and walk around in swim trunks. After being beaten by his girl Brittany in the SATs his overt display of confidence seems to be hiding something more serious. Very quickly, the audience and Blaine see that Sam is hiding his insecurity about his future and the gang bands together to make him feel better about himself. He soon realizes via their testimonials that he's much more than meets the eye, and that he does have a future beyond standardized test scores. Oh, and that calendar? It made over $300! And Sam again charms the audience with his personality and devotion to being a good friend when he poses fully dressed to support Artie's decision to participate clothed .
We waited "A Thousand Years" for this
If Marley and Jake were any more coy about their affections and obvious feelings, I would think this was a Bollywood movie. However, this episode is where their banter results in something entertaining: the dropping of the "L" bomb. Marley requests Jake's presence to help pick a song for regionals, and they sing the most adorable rendition of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years." When they finish this odd choice for a public competition, it's obvious Marley wants to tell Jake she loves him but then trails off into how much she loves the song. Later, in glee club practice, Jake adoringly sings Ne-Yo's "Let Me Love You" to her. During an awkward exchange between Jake and Ryder over what Jake should do, Ryder gives him surprisingly profound advice about being "naked emotionally" and proactive in how he feels. What does that mean to Jake? Writing "I love you" on a half-naked picture of himself. Symbolism and irony at its finest.
Oh and that love bit between them? It may not have been an explosive sequence for them, but as a member of the audience, I have to remark: wasn't Jake just contemplating hooking up with Kitty last episode, and now he "loves" Marley? Please.
Sex and the City... 2.0?
Rachel , Kurt and Brody have a threesome. Kidding. They don't, but Kurt's combined frustration with Rachel going topless for a student film and Brody parading around sans clothing at their place has him feeling annoyed. I would be too if I could only look at Brody and not touch, but I actually think Kurt has a legitimate complaint.
When Rachel disagrees, the Lima team rolls in: Quinn and Santana . Is it just me or do you feel these girls just keep inserting themselves into Glee episodes randomly and that it's not quite flowing all that smoothly? Regardless, Santana has Rachel considering the "2-2-2" rule, which I also found incredibly insightful. Would she regret it in two days, two weeks, or two years? Rachel realizes that after a couple years go by, she would regret it, personally and perhaps professionally.
The clincher ends up being less about Rachel's struggle and subsequent epiphany and more about a leading comment from Santana that implies she may be sticking around New York.
Bromance
While back in Lima I can easily point the finger at Tina for having a useless love interest — Blaine refocuses his romantic energy into being the best friend he can be to Sam. It's heartfelt and admirable the way he conspires to provide Sam with the confidence he needs to believe in himself. Finn also exhibits a fair share of compassion when Artie initially wanted nothing to do with the calendar because of his own insecurities . It was also pleasing to see a guy be so supportive of another in that regard.
What songs made it to my top 3?
1. "Torn," sung by Lea Michele, original by Natalie Imbruglia. This was amazing .
2. "Let Me Love You," sung by Jacob Artist, original by Ne-Yo: Adorable cover — can't compare it to the original but it's what may give Jacob a career if he ever gets tired of Glee.
3. "Love Song," sung by Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Naya Rivera, original by Sara Bareilles. It was an uplifting mini-reunion that induced joyful musical bliss.
Alright, folks! This episode has given us more than enough to discuss. I can't completely trust Jake, but I don't know what Marley's hesitation is based on, unless she's far more mature and perceptive than I imagined. Does she know something incriminating or is it just level-headed concern over saying such a significant word? Do you think Santana is going to stay in New York, and will Rachel have space for her? Is Tina's relentless persistence going to be fruitful? Thoughts on this episode? Rant or rave below!
Photos courtesy of FOX
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A man in drag shocked the judges on Thursday night's ep of American Idol. Who was the mystery blonde? None other than former Idol judge Steven Tyler.
Keith Urban knows a dude in drag when he sees one: The American Idol judge cracked up when a strange-looking blonde walked onstage for Thursday's audition episode.
"What is your name?" demanded Randy Jackson.
"I'm Pepper!"Steven Tyler replied, in the worst lady-voice imaginable. Dudes: Our voices are just an octave or so higher than yours, no need to do a Betty Boop impersonation.
"I'm going to sing a song called 'Tell Your Ma, Tell Your Pa, Our Love Going to Grow, Wah Wah,'" Tyler said to the panel. "But before I do I'm going to judge you all [bleeped expletives] first."
"Steven Tyler is in the house," said Jackson, who is never afraid to drop "hip" slang from approximately three decades ago. "Has your chest hair grown?" he asked Tyler, referring to the fake breasts that Tyler honked.
Mariah Carey cracked, "This dude looks like a lady."
"Do I go through to Hollywood or what?" Tyler asked, whipping off his wig to reveal his own wig-like auburn-dyed hair and pulling the pads out of his bra.
"I just wanted to come by and say hello," he said to Jackson, Urban, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, before sashaying off stage and mooning the judges.
Um, ugh.
Tyler and his band Aerosmith did a song called, um, "Dude Looks Like a Lady," in which a man is confused by being attracted to a woman who turns out to be a man. The deathless lyrics state "Backstage we're having the time of our lives… Then she whipped out her gun, tried to blow me away."
Don't have to be Fellini to get that metaphor.
In his book The Heroin Diaries, former Motley Crue bandmate Nikki Sixx claims that the Aerosmith song was written about lead singer Vince Neil, who apparently does a passable imitation of a woman when seen from behind.
We drive or walk our kids to school each day and cheerfully wave goodbye, expecting them to be safe and sound until the release bell rings. But how do we know our child is safe at school? What measures do some schools have in place to ensure the safety of their students? Opinions vary and security measures currently in use are vastly different.
We drive or walk our kids to school each day and cheerfully wave goodbye, expecting them to be safe and sound until the release bell rings. But how do we know our child is safe at school?
Keeping our kids safe at any cost
What measures do some schools have in place to ensure the safety of their students? Opinions vary and security measures currently in use are vastly different.
School should be a safe place to send our children each day, but lately many parents are questioning exactly how safe their child’s school really is. In the wake of the tragic shooting spree in Newtown, Connecticut that left 20 children and 6 staff members dead, how do we really make sure our schools are safe?
Armed guards — pricey or practical?
One of the most popular solutions being debated is the addition of armed guards to all schools. One-third of American public schools nationwide — even before the Newtown tragedy — had an armed guard or police officer present, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Many high schools already have a uniformed officer on site every day who patrols campus, provides a visual reminder to students to keep their behavior in check and assists in disturbances when needed.
"We could have done nothing and then hoped that something didn't happen — but hope is not a solution... "
The idea of posting armed guards at elementary schools has created quite a stir. When students returned to elementary and middle school classes after winter break in suburban Marlboro, New Jersey, an armed police officer stood on duty in all eight of the town's kindergarten through eighth grade schools. Mayor Jonathan Hornik says, "We could have done nothing and then hoped that something didn't happen — but hope is not a solution — or we could have taken action."
Executive director Wayne Blanton of the Florida School Boards Association is pushing for an increase in funding school security that will cost more than $100 million. "Some of the districts have put uniformed officers already in elementary schools and that costs a lot of money,” he says. “But the safety of our students is the number one priority of our public schools and we're going to do everything we can to make sure our schools are even safer than they are now. I will tell you, it's going to be expensive." Funds would pay for more school resource officers and some security improvements in existing buildings.
How does school front office personnel know who is safe to allow on campus? Requiring visitors and volunteers to sign in is smart, but school offices are bustling with activity — especially first thing in the morning. Check-in policies become more relaxed when campus visitors are familiar faces, and school personnel often just wave them on through. The district in Marlboro requires campus visitors to swipe identification cards through a check-in kiosk, made by LobbyGuard. This device stores the names of known felons, registered sex offenders, parents with a restraining order or suspended students who are not allowed on campus. Implementing stricter security measures in the front office helps deter people who don’t belong from trying to gain access to campus.
School security at the front gate is one thing — what about the safety of your child once she’s in her classroom?
"Maybe we need panic buttons in classrooms."
"We're looking at how schools are constructed and looking at some other safety features,” shares Blanton about the Florida School Boards Association. “Some of the teachers have told us they cannot lock their doors from the inside. Maybe that's something we need to look at. Maybe we need a different type of glass. Maybe we need panic buttons in classrooms.” He says that there are a lot of things that can be done right now that cost very little to help improve safety measures in the public schools.
Keeping our children safe while at school is a major concern of parents. Find out about what your school has in place for safety measures, but don’t expect the principal to share everything. In order to have an effective security policy, some elements need to be kept secret from the public. Teachers, administrators and parents all need to be vigilant and work together to keep our kids safe.
Ever wonder how celebrities show their affection? In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we imagine what celebrities like Chris Brown might say to their loved ones via Candygram.
Celebrity Sweet Talk
Ever wonder how celebrities show their affection? In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we imagine what celebrities like Chris Brown might say to their loved ones via Candygram.
Chris Brown
To: Rihanna
Type of Candy: Sweethearts
Message: If his Twitter eloquence is any indication, Brown’s Candygram to Rihanna would most likely start with something profound, like, “Be mine, hoe [sic],” and be filled with symbols to thinly veil his favorite obscene reference: his d**k. His message would be tied to a bag of candy hearts, which — natch! — would all read, “Love Hurts.”
Kristen Stewart
To: Robert Pattinson
Type of Candy: Suckers
Message: What better way to say, “Sorry I slept with my Snow White director, caused a huge public scandal and broke your heart” than with candy? The sugar is certain to soften the blow of betrayal. To make sure the message feels authentic, the person delivering it should stare blankly at Rob and, like, say "like" a lot.
Kris Jenner
To: Kanye West
Type of Candy: Whoppers
Message: Since the matriarch of the Kardashian clan seems so fond of home videos, maybe her Candygram would come complete with a video message for Kim’s baby daddy. Either way, the main sentiment would be something along the lines of, “Thanks for knocking Kimmie up! I can’t wait to pimp my grandbaby out to the tabloids. P.S. I took the liberty of setting up a photo shoot for the fetus two weeks from Tuesday.”
Taylor Swift
To: Harry Styles
Type of Candy: Sour Patch Kids
Message: Just the most recent of the many boys Taylor Swift has bid adieu to, One Direction's Harry Styles has found himself on Swift's chopping block. The country queen has an arsenal of songs she could pull from — think “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” or “Picture to Burn” — but the message would be best served with a set of lyrics written just for Styles.
Justin Bieber
To: Selena Gomez
Type of Candy: Mary Janes
Message: My how the mighty have fallen! Since the Biebs is apparently on the Lindsay Lohan five-year plan, it’s no wonder his on-again off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez needs a little saccharine persuasion to stick around. Since he's constantly sticking his foot in his mouth these days, Justin should stick with the whole “If I was your boyfriend” song lyric shtick in his Candygram.
If your special plans this Valentine’s Day include a night of nookie with your significant other, a naughty playlist can make getting busy even better. We’ve compiled 50 steamy tunes to turn up when you are getting down.
CLASSIC GROOVES
Bow-chicka-wow-wow. A whole generation was spawned to the smooth sounds of buttery-voiced singers like Marvin Gaye and Al Green — if your mom gets all starry-eyed and starts smirking when she hears the tell-tale chords of “Let’s Get It On,” chances look good that you were conceived to a classic groove.
The Playlist
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
“Ooh La La” by Goldfrapp
“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross
“Between the Sheets” by The Isley Brothers
“Lay It Down” by Al Green
“Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison
“You Send Me” by Sam Cooke
“Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
“Feels Like Rain” by John Hiatt
ROCK
You might think sexy rock music is downright dirty and, in some cases, you’d be right — “I wanna f*ck you like an animal?” It doesn’t get much kinkier than that. But many rock songs are surprisingly sensitive, so you can break up all the a** smacking going on with some soulful staring.
The Playlist
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
“Sail” by Awolnation
“No One’s Gonna Love You” by Band of Horses
“The Golden Age” by Beck
“Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews Band
“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails
“Glory Box” by Portishead
“Lay It Down” by The Rubens
“Wild Horses” by The Sundays
“Ball and Biscuit” by The White Stripes
HIP HOP
From listening to Lil Wayne wax poetic about lollipops to Robin Thicke lulling your pants off with his lilting falsetto, hip-hop music was made for mattress play. All those syncopated rhythms will have you syncing up sexually in no time.
The Playlist
“Lost Without U” by Robin Thicke
“It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars
“Shut It Down” by Drake
“Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean
“Tonight” by John Legend
“Lollipop” by Lil’ Wayne
“Got Her Knockin’” by Mike Green
“S & M” by Rihanna
“Love In This Club” by Usher
“How to Love” by Lil’ Wayne
OLD SCHOOL SLOW JAMS
If the early nineties are remembered for grunge music, then the legacy of the late nineties has to be the old school R&B slow jam. These songs put up no pretenses: They were all about the booty call, baby. But, in the infamous words of R. Kelly, I don’t see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind.
The Playlist
"My Body" by LSG
“One in a Million” by Aaliyah
“Pony” by Ginuwine
“I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men
“Untitled” by D’Angelo
“Red Light Special” by TLC
“Slow Motion” by Juvenile
“I Belong to You” by Rome
“Bump N Grind” by R Kelly
“Oops ” by Tweet
COUNTRY
Detractors may claim country can’t be sexy, but — coming from someone raised in a rural southern town — trust me when I say tractors, tight jeans and drawls are aphrodisiacs in their own right. Besides, when you live in the middle of nowhere, what better way to — ahem — pass the time?
The Playlist
“Must Be Doin’ Something Right” by Billy Currington
Old people act like teenagers, Kate Upton washes a car, a white guy takes on a "hey mon!" Jamaican accent to cheer up his coworkers and more picks and pans from this Sunday's Super Bowl commercials.
Sometimes, the Super Bowl commercials are better than the game itself. So why not spoil it with these leaked Super Bowl ads?
This almost two-minute spot from Mercedes-Benz pits an everyguy against Willem Dafoe, in a bit of spot-on typecasting as the devil, offering the man a Mercedes and "everything that goes with it" if he'll sign over his soul. "Everything" turns out to involve posing on the red carpet with Kate Upton, being able to win a dance-off with Usher and competing in a NASCAR race.
*Sigh* It's more "buy this and you'll be cool" advertising, but here it is anyway. Fun to hear "Sympathy for the Devil," anyway.
Upton is all over Mercedes: In another leaked spot, she has a group of men in football jerseys wash a car for her as she plays with her hair.
Budweiser's tear-jerker, scored by all-time downer song "Landslide" commercial tells a man-meets-horse love story as a tiny Clydesdale becomes a great big advertising trademark for an inexplicably popular American lager.
Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd are called to pitch ideas for Super Bowl commercials to Bob Odenkirk , but can't use the words Super Bowl, 49ers or Ravens. Probably this one was funnier on paper, though Odenkirk does make some funny "shush" faces. What is this commercial for, anyway? Samsung? All righty.
In a painfully icky commercial for GoDaddy.com, Bar Refaeli soul-kisses a nerd, with loud smacking noises sure to turn off any dental-phobe.
"Old people consume product, act like young people" is a tried-and-true advertising trope, but this Taco Bell take is pretty well done. I like the guy who flashes his nipple and leers at the diners.
And Volkswagen has already irritated lots of people with its "get happy" commercial featuring a white guy with a big, broad Jamaican accent. "Who want to come with I?" he asks, loading coworkers into his VW. Ugh.
Treat yourself
Learn to say “no”
