Ready? OK!

Fiona

When we find Fi, she'll be coming off her court-mandated house arrest and she'll be more than stoked. So stoked, in fact, she'll go to desperate measures to lose that ankle bracelet when the office is closed. That can't end well, right? We'll also find her locked in an intense, but completely nonsexual, friendship with her boss at the diner. Or, well, at least it's nonsexual on his end. He can smell Fiona's brand of trouble from a mile away and knows a relationship with her won't be good for his own recovery. How long can he keep his hands to himself?

Lip

Lip made it through his first year of college and did OK. When that rich steady girlfriend of his asks if they should see other people over the summer, though, he won't know how to react. And, while at first he plays it cool and tells her to do what she wants, some pics and a reality check makes him realize his feelings are a little deeper than he originally thought. We always thought he was ripped, too, but when he takes a job stacking rocks (yes, literally), we'll see him put in some back-breaking working that he might just not be cut out for. When Ian enlists Lip to help stop Mandy from moving to Indiana, will he soon find himself back in the sack with his favorite little neighbor girl? All bets are on, "F*** yes!"

Ian

Ian's living with the Milkoviches where Mickey and Mandy are trying to help him deal with his manic-depressive state... without actually calling it that or fully acknowledging that he has some serious issues. When Ian shows up to a soldier's funeral and a Westboro Baptist-like church is there protesting, he quickly loses patience and tells them off. From there, it devolves into one seriously convoluted plan for revenge against the bad-mouthing preaching. How far will they go? Let's just say Mandy plays a seductress, but someone else ends up on their knees.

More: Still totally boggled and excited about Dylan McDermott's appearance

Debbie

Poor Debs! She's still going through that awkward phase of wanting to be a grown-up but still looking like a little girl. Left out by her crummy friends, Debs takes to bonding with Frank, but we all know that will only last as long as he needs her. When Fi finally realizes Debs is having a tough time, she makes it better by dragging her along to a bar where a band/Fi's favorite customer is playing. Fi's wild side rears its head, though, when a guy gets too grabby with Debs. Debbie might think it's cool to watch her big sis throw punches, but what else will she take away from that moment.

Carl

Carl has a broken ankle and steals a wheelchair from someone in the street. So, ya know, he's pretty much exactly the same.

Liam

Seems completely normal. So, we guess snorting Fi's coke had no real lasting impression on him. Or, at least, he's too young for us to notice yet.

More: Emmy Rossum almost missed the part because she's too dang gorgeous

Frank

With a whole new living, Frank thinks he can get away with going back to drinking. Sadly for him, though, it takes so little time to get him sloshed that he can't properly enjoy drinking. His solution? Make his own moonshine. What goes into it, though, will completely gross you out. Later, he'll meet the father of the man whose liver Frank is currently destroying and his outlook on what to do with his new organ will turn a whole body's worth of donor parts onto the completely wrong path to recovery. Nicely done, Frank.

What's going on with Sheila, Sammi, Chuckie, Kev, V and the new babies? Aw, c'mon! You don't want us to ruin everything for you, do you? Let's just say jealousy runs wild. But, you'll have to tune into Shameless on Showtime on Jan. 11 at 9/8c to get all the deets and find out even more about cable's favorite family.

More: Get the latest TV news and reviews by signing up for our newsletter

More: What do you give Kim Kardashian for her b-day? Kanye knows

Los Angeles-based comedy trio, Local Business Comedy, has released an entire Christmas parody album of Kanye West's sixth album, Yeezus, which they're aptly calling Kreezus, and it is not something to be missed this holiday season.

Each song has been given a unique holiday twist and, while the lyrics have changed, the beat and base of each song remain the same, meaning now you get to have some holiday cheer Kanye-style. Santa Claus has never seemed so cool.

More: Would Kim Kardashian mind if her daughter followed in her naked footsteps?

"I just talked to Jesus/He said, 'What up, Kreezus?'/I said, 'Climbing buildins, trying to gift these childrin," is just a taste of the lyrics from the first track, "Long Night."

Trust us when we say, reading the lyrics just doesn't do the songs justice.

The song "I Am A God" becomes "I Am A Klaus," "New Slaves" is now "New Sleighs," "Blood on the Leaves" gets a cheery new title, "Lights on the Trees," and "Bound 2" transitions to "Wrapped 2."

You can listen to the album in its entirety below. (Warning: It is brilliant, but it's also explicit.)

More: Kim Kardashian already has plans to make sure North isn't spoiled

This album has us wondering only one thing: Why hasn't anyone thought of doing this before? It's pretty brilliant. West and the hip-hop community should take the popularity of this parody album as a sign that there's a whole holiday market they're all missing out on each year. Who wouldn't want some Christmas cheer from Kendrick Lamar and Drake just as much as they want it from Idina Menzel and Carrie Underwood?

Would you buy a holiday hip-hop album?

In what they're calling a "bombshell" allegation, Radar Online says they have learned that a producer from the ABC competition show is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department for selling drugs to the dancers.

Radar claims to have obtained a series of text messages between the producer and certain dancers — all of whom they leave unnamed in their report — but while they provide a transcript of the messages, they did not print screenshots of the actual messages themselves. And the language of the supposed texts reads like a bad '70s cop show.

More: One of our fave DWTS dancers left the show, and we're super bummed

"I got moon rocks, it's the highest form of Molly. Pure crystal," Radar claims the producer wrote on Dec. 30, 2013.

"Hey babe! Can I get some nose candy from you? Need it tomorrow if possible…" they say another reads, this time from a dancer on Apr. 9, 2014.

More: Guess which DWTS judge may leave before Season 21?

The lack of actual screenshots of the messages is suspect enough, but the show's production company says they know nothing about any police investigation.

"The LAPD have not notified us or confirmed that any investigation is underway and we therefore have no further comment to make on the subject," a spokesperson for BBC Worldwide Productions told Radar.

More: This sweet star was the biggest surprise of DWTS Season 19

But the "source" Radar says gave them the info claims the producer got at least one dancer majorly addicted and should be canned.

"He should be fired," the source said. "The amount of drugs he's given to everyone is insane… these people probably need to go and work on their issues. They think that they have things without consequences, no repercussions. It's a great lesson for everyone."

Tell us: Do you believe this DWTS drug story?

Which is why we've come up with this really great list of books to keep your investigative mind engaged and to help you to continue to flex those analytical skills that the podcast brought out in everyone who listened. So, pull out the library card and get ready to spend some quality fireside reading time in fine company.

The Way the Crow Flies

First on our list is this gripping novel by Ann-Marie MacDonald. Oprah's Book Club fans may recognize the author's name since MacDonald's book, Fall on Your Knees, was an official selection in 2002. The Way the Crow Flies was inspired by a 1959 murder case, in which a 14-year-old named Steven Truscott was sentenced to death, on dubious circumstantial evidence, for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl. Truscott's case is often cited as ending public support for the death penalty in Canada.

More: Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry dish on why Selma will resonate (VIDEO)

MacDonald's novel takes place on a quiet Air Force base in Canada in the early '60s, and is told through the eyes of the high-spirited 8-year old Madeleine. Wrapped up in military secrets, her father finds himself distanced from his family, just as a horrifying murder takes place in their quiet community, which contributes to Madeleine's loss as she struggles to make sense of, and solve, the mystery of what really happened that tragic day.

Why we think you'll like it:  Although the book takes a while to get started (there is considerable time spent in the first 30 pages or so on setting up Madeleine's world, which had me wondering when the book was going to hurry up and kick in to gear!), it is incredibly well-crafted, with clues expertly parsed out over the course of the book in much the same way as Serial. Madeleine's world becomes our own, as we struggle to make sense of a complicated world in which the truth is often held in pieces by more people than we realize. This book is seriously gripping and is told against the backdrop of real-life historical events.

Gone Girl

If you're a movie buff, you're already very aware of Gillian Flynn's thriller, Gone Girl. The book, about the eerie disappearance of a suburban housewife, took theaters by storm this past fall, with Ben Affleck playing the suspicious husband.

Why we think you'll like it: Although the book is a work of fiction, the story itself draws from real headlines. Women go missing all the time and the first suspect is always the husband or boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend, as was the case on Serial). What stands out about Flynn's book is the access she gives us to the minds of both characters, who on the surface appear to be one thing, but are soon revealed to be another. A truly satisfying read for lovers of mysteries and people interested in the perversion of the human psyche.

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

The premise behind this nonfiction book is too unbelievable to summarize, so I'll just pull a quote directly from Amazon: "Two kids named Wes Moore were born blocks apart within a year of each other. Both grew up fatherless in similar Baltimore neighborhoods and had difficult childhoods; both hung out on street corners with their crews; both ran into trouble with the police. How, then, did one grow up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader, while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence? Wes Moore, the author of this fascinating book, sets out to answer this profound question."

Why we think you'll like it: While some fans of Serial have been all over the Baltimore neighborhood that Adnan grew up in, not everyone lives close enough to the city to immerse themselves in its geography in an attempt to get a better feel for his story. The Other Wes Moore will take you there, show you around and ask you how it is that two young men growing up within blocks of one another could have their lives turn out so unequivocally different — it's a gut-wrenching query that takes readers inside Baltimore from the comfort of their own home.

In Cold Blood

In the book that made Truman Capote a household name, the eccentric author reports on the gruesome and shocking murder of a Kansas family on Nov. 15, 1959. The family of four died from shotgun blasts fired at extremely close range. With almost no clues and no apparent motive for the crime, authorities were hard-pressed to understand why the crime took place.

Capote, mesmerized by the story, traveled to Kansas to meet with the killers, assembling the first investigative nonfiction novel and taking readers deep into the psyche of the would-be robbers who shocked a nation with the violence of their crime.

Why we think you'll like it: Capote broke the mold with this book, creating a new genre that even today continues to inspire authors writing about true crime. Capote not only takes you into the world of the murderers, he does so with surprising empathy and breathtaking suspense (don't try reading this alone at night or you could wind up phoning a friend at 1 a.m. just to "check in"). A true masterpiece of the genre, In Cold Blood is not to be missed for true crime fans.

More: Here are 23 pics of sexy men reading books — you're welcome (PHOTOS)

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

In The Devil in the White City, author Erik Larson uses extensive research to transport readers to Chicago circa-1893 and immerse them in the lives of Daniel Burnham, Chicago World's Fair architect, and H.H. Holmes, super-scary serial killer to the max who used the World's Fair to lure his victims to their deaths.

This has to be one of the creepiest and most fascinating true crime books ever written! Holmes makes Sweeney Todd look tame by comparison. The murderous madman actually built a murder hotel near to the fair, complete with secret passages, hallways and chutes to the basement for easy disposal of his victims. A kiln in his basement made getting away with his crimes easy enough that the man was able to operate for years like this before anyone caught on.

Why we think you'll like it: One of the biggest draws of Serial was the constant nagging question of who was lying and why. If you were of the mind that the prosecution's main witness, Jay, was lying, you were left running circles around the case trying to figure out what really happened. One theory posits that Hae Min Lee might have been the victim of a serial killer. This book affords you an (at times unwelcome) peek into the mind of a true serial killer, while fleshing out the era and circumstances around which he was able to operate.

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Jon Krakauer is a master of nonfiction and each of his books takes his readers on remarkable investigative journeys through real-life events. Under the Banner of Heaven tells the story of brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who claimed to have received a commandment from God to kill an innocent woman and her baby girl.

As Amazon so succinctly states, through his meticulous research, Krakauer "constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America's fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief."

Why we think you'll like it: The prosecutors in Adnan's case claim that the murder of Hae Min Lee was an honor killing motivated by religious beliefs. While Adnan and his family strongly deny the claim's feasibility, In the Banner of Heaven is an excellent exploration into the dangers of religious zealotry.

More: 15 Banned books you should totally let your kids read

The Instructions

Listen, we're not going to lie. This novel is long. Like, 1,026 pages long. But if you're at all curious about the mind of an oftentimes violent, yet impressively intelligent, teenage maybe-messiah, you won't be able to put it down. The Instructions is a work of fiction, but author, Adam Levin, takes his readers so deep inside the mind of his characters, you might just forget they're not real.

Why we think you'll like it: The Instructions may be the biggest leap from Serial in terms of inclusion in this list, but its deep exploration of the teenage psyche will be fascinating for anyone mesmerized by the teenage stupidity, or cold and calculated intelligence (depending on your read of him), on display in Adnan's case.

More: Robert Downey, Jr. is Forbes' highest-paid actor for second year in a row

But as far as actors raking in the big bucks go, we were a little stumped by the fact that there was only one woman included on Forbes' top 10 names for this list. Among Adam Sandler, Johnny Depp, Ben Stiller, Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrel, Channing Tatum, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, and Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock is the 9th and only actress on the list who is considered "overpaid" this year and we're speculating as to why.

1. Women aren't leads as often as men

Of course, the feminist in us wants to instantly analyze societal standards. Could it be that women just aren't offered leads as much as men are in film, thus they aren't offered as much money because less lead roles are available? According to a March 2014 study from Variety, films with female protagonists represented only 15 percent of the top 100 films of highest-grossing domestic films of 2013. We can't imagine it has changed that dramatically in 2014.

More: New BFF alert — Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock

2. Women are generally paid less than men

The ever-present argument of the wage gape also flickered through our mind. Especially since the Sony hack just revealed that even Jennifer Lawrence is a victim of the gender pay gap. Women can't be overpaid when they are still not making even close to what their male counterparts are.

3. Studios aren't willing to take as many risks with women

So they are more likely to hire proven and bankable actresses. This also means that when deciding which films to make, studios look at trends and what will win at the box office. Meaning, they use past examples of what was successful to create future business plans. For example, Marvel has been a huge winner at the box office. A superhero movie is always going to do well. So, Marvel orders more superhero movies. With male leads. Because why fix it if it's making them money? Luckily, this year we also saw that shift, as Thor became a woman.

More: Sandra Bullock is Hollywood's highest-paid actress

4. Women have more popularity so are able to pull in a bigger fan base

Perhaps women tend to draw larger crowds of fans, which means they aren't as likely to fail at the box office. Just look at the social media numbers. Thirteen out of the 20 most popular Twitter users are women. Three out of the 20 are social media sites themselves (i.e. Twitter, YouTube and Instagram), which means only four out of 20 are men. The ladies are killing it on social media. With a fan base that outweighs men's, it's no wonder women can pack a punch at the box office.

Of course, the reality is, unfortunately, more negative than we would like. The availability of female leads and the wage gap have to factor heavily into the results of Forbes' list. But, on the bright side, things are changing for women. Thanks to young adult films like The Hunger Games and Divergent, the popularity of female-driven plots is hugely on the rise. Pair that with a growing generation that is more accepting of the different shades of people and there is no doubt 2015 will continue to see a transition that is positive for women in film and across the country.

What do you think is the most likely reason only Bullock made Forbes' list of overpaid actors in 2014?

1. Magic house

Overlooking the fact that they all sit and peek at the "magic house" for several minutes like total voyeurs, what the eff is up with the little fellow inside? We can't help but feel like there is some strange subliminal messaging or subconscious brain warping at play here. Just look at scary sailor puppet's hollow eyes. Weeeeeiiiiiirrrd.

2. Teleporting Tinky-Winky

Hollow drumbeat. Creepy little kid giggles. Scary dude popping out of nowhere. This has all the makings of a B-list horror movie. We wouldn't be surprised if in the new series it is revealed that Tinky-Winky is a murderer who winds up wearing Po's skin.

3. Tickle, tickle, tickle

Image: Giphy

Um, err, well... that's not Dipsy's tummy you're tickling, little buddy. There's far too much sexual innuendo in this clip for it to be a coincidence, no?

4. "Eh-Oh!"

For starters, they set the tone with the sun baby (more on that later). And it just gets worse from there. There are giant insects, frenetic dancing, nonsensical food factories... it feels like the second half of the trippy boat ride from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. That or a PSA on the potential side effects of using speed. This is your brain — this is your brain on Teletubbies.

5. Holy bejeezus

Image: Giphy

Where do these things even come from? They're always just popping out left and right, right and left. It scares the bejeezus out of us every single time. They'd make for an excellent haunted house.

6. Transmission received

It's creepy enough that these weird little aliens get transmissions through televisions implanted in their stomachs. Seriously, we can't be the only ones weirded out by that. But the enthusiastic pelvic thrust and glowing dipstick-shaped antenna of Dipsy is truly the stuff nightmares are made of.

7. Here comes the <del>devil</del> sun

British student, Jess Smith, came forward today to lay claim to her face — the face of the giggling baby sun from Teletubbies, that is. Perhaps she waited 19 years to own this fact because she realizes her baby sun face still haunts our dreams.

Exhibit A: As the giggling baby's face starts to transition out of the sun — to the tune of yet more creepy laughter — its features start to take a decidedly sinister turn.

And there you have it, people — total demon baby status. This is some twisted stuff, y'all. Aren't you happy we took this walk down memory lane? Sweet dreams!

More weird entertainment news

Betty White busts a move with a hippo and it's strangely awesome (VIDEO)
Nicki Minaj has a nip slip while talking about nip slips (VIDEO)
Did someone Photoshop Cinderella's waist away?

It's a new year, and that means it's time to make New Year's resolutions. If you're the average mom, cleaning your house and making more time for your kids are probably at the top of your list.

Maybe you'll squeeze in the go-to New Year's resolution if you're extra ambitious: Lose five pounds, which loosely translates to, "Stop stuffing extra chicken nuggets in your mouth while feeding your kids and start counting calories again."

Parenting is hard, there's no doubt about it. But what makes it even harder is when the person driving the train is actually driving herself into the ground. I'm talking about you, and I'm also talking about me.

Though it sounds like a very Michael Scott way to praise yourself at a job interview when asked about your weaknesses, most moms really do try too hard and love too much. This is a great thing when you are raising young children who are literally sucking the life — and the breast milk — right out of you.

But if you keep up these self-sacrificing, martyr qualities as your kids get older, they're going to notice. They're probably going to take advantage of you if you're more willing to give in to them than to give in to yourself. They're probably going to resent you when you slave away to put their hot dinner on the table yet never take the time to sit down and actually eat with them. They're definitely going to pick up your bad habits and miss out on the self-love they so desperately need as teenagers and young adults.

I am speaking from experience from watching my own mother and living my own life. It's hard to put yourself first, even for 20 minutes a day. It's almost impossible not to feel guilty when you book a babysitter and watch your kids cry for a few minutes just so you can spend time out in the real world with your husband.

But it's worth it. Not only does putting your mental health first really and truly matter to recharge your batteries and make you a better parent, it also sets an excellent example for your kids. Putting your health first is even selfless when you think about the fact that you will be around longer to watch your kids and grandkids grow up.

When you make your New Year's resolutions this year, do something different. Ditch the guilt and put yourself higher on the list.

More on moms

U.K. report shows most pregnancies better off with midwives than OB-GYNs
Confession: I don't want mommy friends
Grown men can watch birth without it ruining their sex lives

More: 8 "Huh?" moments from Nicki Minaj's 16-minute "The Pinkprint Movie"

Rap Radar has leaked a photo of Nicki Minaj's upcoming Rolling Stone cover, and to say it leaves little to the imagination is putting it pretty lightly.

The cover features Nicki in a barely-there white tank. Its straps are so skinny, they just barely cover her nipples. Let's just say the cover is drawing attention to more than her music, or even her butt, which we've probably seen enough of this year anyway.

More: Nicki Minaj has a nip slip while talking about nip slips (VIDEO)

The title, under her name on the cover, is "Mad Genius, Manic Diva." According to the website, hiphopdx.com, this is the first time Nicki has been on the cover of Rolling Stone, though she's been on countless other covers this year, including Billboard, ESPN, Fader, Complex, Dazed, Vogue and more, because, let's face it, she's had a hell of a year ("Anaconda," anyone?). But the writers at Rolling Stone are Nicki fans regardless — they gave her most recent release, The Pinkprint, a four out of five star rating, called it her "busting-out-all-over magnum opus" and said Nicki "breathes fire and oozes soul every time she touches the mic" in the review.

But even with a whole newsstand full of covers this year, Rolling Stone is, without a doubt, the rapper's raciest one yet — or, at least, her raciest cover that has nothing to do with her posterior.

More: Nicki Minaj unloads on Twitter about her "evil" ex-BF in typo-filled rant

The leaked cover hit the web Tuesday, but there's no word on when the issue, which will likely feature more photos, will be released. For now, check out the leaked cover here and then head to the comments section and tell us your thoughts about it.

Is it too racy? Or is it a good fit for Rolling Stone, a publication that doesn't exactly have a history of shying away from controversial shoots and subjects? Is Nicki a good choice for a Rolling Stone cover? Sound off below!

And like so many dog-lovers before, there she met and fell madly in love with a darling puppy named Lorelai. She isn't just in love with her, she cried a river of sweet baby tears when she had to leave her.

"Where did she go when you had to leave her?" Meredith Vieira slyly asks Elizabeth, who is now seated in the audience of her talk show.

"She went back to her van," Elizabeth responds sadly.

And then the most amazing thing happens. She gets Lorelai for Christmas. It’s a Christmas puppy miracle! The puppy comes right out of a big box.

The best part of the video is after Elizabeth and Lorelai are finally reunited, Elizabeth totally ignores Meredith Vieira. Just watch for yourself.

Merry Christmas and I hope you get a puppy too.

More Christmas puppies

4 Months ago this pup couldn't eat — now she's celebrating her first Christmas
Don't waste money on fancy toys — these GIFs prove pets just want the box
25 Dogs who are getting coal for Christmas

Normally if my kids confront me at 6 a.m., I tell them to go back to bed. Or, more accurately, I tell them to keep the volume on the computer very, very low. I've also taught my third-grader how to microwave pancakes for himself and for his brother, because no one should be expected to get up and feed children who wake up at stupid o'clock.

On Christmas, I know they're going to walk right into the unwrapped gift Santa has left them under the tree next to all the wrapped gifts they've been examining and shaking for a few weeks. That means I need to crawl out of bed and be semiconscious. I'll be honest — it's a struggle. But in the grand scheme of parenting, I can give up on sleep during these precious few Christmas mornings.

My kids are close to exiting the Santa stage, and before I know it, they'll be visiting from college, and they'll be sleeping until 11 a.m. on Christmas. For now, I'm willing to wrap myself in a blanket, brew a cup of tea and squint in semidarkness as they tear through gifts. That's the way baby Jesus intended it to be.

I know it's tempting to send the kids back to bed on Christmas morning, but as long as it's legitimately Christmas and not, like, 3 a.m. (which, nope), I say let the kids have their early-morning frenzy. The cool thing is, they'll be semilethargic by late afternoon, and you can snooze on the couch while they zonk out playing the video games Santa painstakingly chose from their Amazon wish lists. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nap.

More on holidays

Running out of stuff during the holidays is the worst
Teens are truly terrible around the holidays
How to make dollar store Christmas crafts for kids

Well-known YouTube prankster Josh Paler Lin decided to put this to the test. He gave a homeless man named Thomas $100 and then followed him with his camera to see what he'd do. He went into a liquor store so, of course, Lin assumed that was it. But when he came out with a giant bag he went straight to the park with bread. To share with his friends.

See the video below:

Amazingly moving, no?

Lin himself said he was terribly moved by it and felt guilty for doubting Thomas who apparently became homeless after quitting his job and going home to help his parents and then losing their house after they died. It's a tragic story and one that is probably not altogether uncommon.

People don't choose to fall on hard times. They don't choose to lose their homes. They aren't always lazy and they aren't always bad people. Sometimes they just lose their luck. Hard to believe, but true. It could happen to any of us. And wouldn't we want someone to help us?

A lot of people are convinced this is a hoax. And it could be. It certainly has garnered enormous publicity. But is it really so hard to believe that those without homes might still be decent people? Even hard working? Or generous? Have we really become so cyncial?

Even if this were a hoax, I have no trouble at all believing that a hungry person would have compassion for other hungry people. The fact is, when you know how much something hurts, you tend to want to help other people experiencing the same thing. Selfishness seems like something more rampant at the top of our society than at the bottom.

Look at this video and then ask yourself: Will I ever pass a homeless person the same way again? If not, it worked. Whether it's a hoax or not, it's beautiful. I choose to believe it.

More in living

Poll shows Americans having a low-stress Christmas this year
A complete guide to holiday tipping
7 Nice gifts for people you don't want to spend money on

This pair of hamsters who owned your kids' Christmas photos

This bunny who's gone a li'l bit country

This French Bulldog who shares our love for Mondays

This turtle with Olympic dreams

This baby kitty who doesn't give a...

This horse who mastered the selfie

This guinea pig with some serious dreams

This trio whose heard one too many nursery rhymes

This English Bulldog who is loving life

This baby kangaroo who deserves a modeling contract

More adorable animals to ga-ga over

A video of 13 dogs and 1 cat eating like humans? Yes, please!
5 Kid-and-dog duos that prove a childhood pup is priceless
18 Photos that capture cats in the most amazing ways

What better way to celebrate a time of family and love than by watching these amazing military homecoming videos.

1. This mom and dad were recording a message for their son, who they thought was oceans away.

2. "Daddy! Daddy I missed you!" [sobbing intensifies]

3. This teen's emotions are infectious when her dad surprises her at school

4. The look on his grandmother's face. Priceless.

5. We absolutely adore this vintage footage of a Vietnam soldier surprising his mother during a Christmas special. Amazing.

6. This military daughter gives her mom the surprise of her life.

7. Ah, the ol' soldier dressed as Santa trick! Love it.

8. Is there anything sweeter than seeing young kids filled with so much joy?

9. A soldier coming home has the power to light up a room full of people.

10. This young woman is absolutely stunned to see her boyfriend on Christmas morning.

11. This is technically from Thanksgiving but the look on his father's face is too sweet not to share.

12. A perfectly timed surprise.

1. Because you can

Image: Giphy

We can think of no other film in recent history that created quite so much controversy as The Interview — I mean, terrorist threats from a totalitarian dictator? Seriously? When this whole hoopla with Sony started, it looked as though freedom of creative expression would be shelved, along with the movie. Now that it will be shown in select theaters across the nation, there's no better reason to go see it than because you can. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, Kim Jong-un.

2. Because how can you say no to these guys?

Image: Giphy

Try as we might, we can't peel our eyes away from anything James Franco and Seth Rogen do. They're smart, they're funny, they're adorable — they are the trifecta of cool. This political comedy was written by Rogen, and he and Franco have campaigned nonstop on its behalf, so we're inclined to acquiesce.

3. After all, everything they do is comic gold

Image: Giphy

Need we remind you of Pineapple Express? This is the End? Freaks and Geeks? Surely you've seen their obscenely funny parody of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's "Bound 2" video. Everything this duo does leaves us doubled over in laughter, and we're certain The Interview will be no exception.

More: Sony hacks: A full time line of every dirty detail revealed

4. To support your local art-house theater

Image: Giphy

While The Interview may have started as a big-budget Hollywood release, it has landed in an unlikely place — roughly 200 independent theaters all over the country. Accordingly, it's picked up a bit of an art-house vibe, with these small venues taking to social media to express their pride in offering the release. When you patronize these little guys, you're supporting your community and, well, first amendment rights while you're at it.

5. Have you seen James Franco lately?

Image: Giphy

Listen, we love James Franco. You love James Franco. We all love James Franco. We'll be the first to admit, though, that he's had more than a few blips in the last year or so that have sketched us out. Was it some weird method acting he adopted? Was he just having a moment? Who knows? But he looks to be back in his finest form these days, and we can't wait to see that reflected on-screen.

6. For sweet lines like this

Image: GIFSoup

Oh, and this one, too.

Image: GIFSoup

We're betting The Interview is filled with little gems like these and, let's be real, we'll all be breaking them out — oh, you know — every day come 2015. Merry Christmas to us, indeed.

More: The Interview — nine pros and cons of releasing it on demand

7. Because Lizzy Caplan

Image: Giphy.com

Another Freaks and Geeks alum, Lizzy Caplan earned our die-hard devotion thanks to a little 2004 film called Mean Girls — maybe you've heard of it? But she's continued to impress us since her days as Janis Ian, with stellar turns in True Blood, New Girl, The League and the amazing Masters of Sex.

8. It's something to do with the fam besides sleep off a food coma

Image: Giphy

We're not suggesting you ditch your loved ones on this coziest of holidays but, if you're looking for something fun to do outside of the house, grab a cousin or two and head to your local art-house theater showing The Interview. Bonus: Laughing your ass off has to be a good way to burn off all the extra calories you've consumed so far this Christmas, right?

In case you need added incentive

The hotel manager, John Mathers, got wind of the request when grandfather Leo brought it to him at work. Who could possibly resist such sweetness?

And just when you think it couldn't get any sweeter, here is the response:

It's easy as grown-ups to get into a Grinch-like mood about the holidays. They are a lot of work, after all. We spend a ton of money and time running around from this place to that place trying to get everything done and make everything perfect for our kids. We want them to have the perfect Christmas.

They want that, too. They write their letters to Santa and they wish for things big and small. But we also forget the most important thing. What they really want? Is us.

Little Julian Otero will get his day off. Just like he asked. The truth is, when we look around our holiday table and we think of all the people past and present who are there or who aren't, we need to be grateful. There are no promises of next year. So we need to spend the time together while we can. Work can wait. It will be there on the 26th. It will be there on the 2nd. It will be there, period.

Family may not be. Especially grandparents.

I think any person with fond memories of their sweet grandparents can understand this story and also understand the importance of those memories. Julian will have them now. And let's face it: In 20 years, that's what matters more than any Xbox ever could. Even a 9-year-old knows that.

See more on this below:

More on parenting

10 Things parents will end up doing on Christmas Eve
Santa's new thing: The cookie plate cake
Fun Christmas Eve traditions with kids

1. Something smells fishy

Image: Giphy

In Minnesota, a law dictates that men can't do the horizontal hula with live fish. Not sure why it specifies only men and only live fish.

2. Don't backpedal

Image: Giphy

In Marion, Ohio, it's illegal to eat a doughnut while walking backward. Seems reasonable.

3. Drunk tank

Image: Giphy

Alaska prohibits both minors and moose from imbibing alcohol.

4. Dry ingredients only

Image: Giphy

In Maryland, it's illegal to eat in the ocean. That totally explains sharknados.

5. Drinking difficulties

Image: Giphy

In Nigeria, it's legal to get your drink on. You just can't import or brew beer. But if it falls from the sky, by all means, imbibe.

6. No Tic Tac, no nookie

Image: Giphy

In the blessed town of Alexandria, Mississippi, it's illegal for a man to have sex with his wife with onion, garlic or sardine breath. If his ladylove requests he brush his teeth, it's not optional.

7. Mind your b's and q's

Image: Gifsoup

In Belgium, it's legal to throw Brussels sprouts at tourists.

8. No seed spittin'

Image: Giphy

It may sound nice to enjoy a refreshing slice of watermelon on the beach, but don't count on doing that in Rio Claro, Brazil, where these juicy red orbs are illegal.

9. Love by the pound

Image: Giphy

It used to be illegal in Idaho to give your best gal a box of chocolates weighing less than 50 pounds. That law being overturned is probably for the best.

10. Don't spice it up

Image: Giphy

In Peru, chili sauce and other hot spices are banned from prison food to prevent its dangerous aphrodisiac effects.

11. Gotta bounce back

Image: Giphy

In Connecticut, it's not really a pickle unless it bounces.

12. Soup for you?

Image: Giphy

If you're a bar-owning Cornhusker, you should know you can't sell beer unless you brew a kettle of soup at the same time.

13. Keep your hands to yourself

Image: Giphy

In Oklahoma, it's not permissible to take a bite of another person's hamburger. (That really should be a federal law.)

14. Non-lactose intolerant

Image: Giphy

Don't move to Utah if you're lactose intolerant. It's illegal there to refuse to drink milk.

15. Don't eat too fresh

Image: Giphy

In Massachusetts, it's best to serve mourners footlongs than tea sandwiches, as you're allowed no more than three sammies while attending a wake.

16. Don't go nuts

Image: Giphy

In Boston, it's illegal to eat peanuts in church. If you've ever been to Texas Roadhouse, that kind of makes sense.

17. Why did the chicken cross the road in Gainesville, Georgia?

Image: Giphy

To stand next to the guy with the fork. Since it's illegal there to eat chicken with a fork, that's definitely the smart move.

18. For here or to go?

Image: Giphy

For some reason, in Riverside, California, it's illegal to walk down the street carrying your lunch at lunchtime (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

19. Abandon the bottle

Image: Giphy

In Concord, Massachusetts, it's illegal to sell non-sparkling, non-flavored bottled water in plastic containers of less than 1 liter. Joggers beware.

20. The prank pizza job

Image: Giphy

You may think it's funny to send an order of pizza, Chinese or other c.o.d. items to your unsuspecting pal or arch nemesis, but in Louisiana, that could cost you $500 and up to six months in the slammer.

More food fun

Quiz: What's your holiday cocktail personality?
10 Best cooking tips from Food Wishes' Chef John
15 Bizarre fancy sodas that you must try (at least once)

Greet all family with kindness. (Even those who are a little "different.")

Always set an extra place for that unexpected visitor.

Be patient with guests whose table manners are lacking.

After dinner, gather 'round for some singing.

Be patient with that annoying uncle. He means well.

Commemorate the event with lots of pictures.

Don't be sad when everybody leaves. They'll all be back for next year's reunion!

More pet wisdom

Life lessons we can learn from dogs
Playing with puppies can make you happier
How having a dog can make you a better mom

'Tis the season to be jolly, and few things put us in the Christmas spirit more than the sheer joy we get from watching Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

More: If Dwayne Johnson's characters were real, he'd make the perfect man

So this Christmas Eve, Johnson gave us what may prove to be the best gift of the holiday season — him in a festive onesie (who knew they even came in super-beefcake size?), rockin' a Santa cap and singing "Here Comes Santa Claus."

The special tiding of good cheer came courtesy of a stop by Live with Kelly and Michael, the hosts of which were both decked out in equally spectacular holiday wear.

More: Rock solid — a guilt-free Dwayne Johnson ogling sesh

It gets better, too. We know what you're thinking: What could be better than The Rock singing holiday karaoke in a Christmas sweater onesie? The Rock channeling Elvis while he does so, that's what.

Le sigh.

This isn't the first gift Johnson bequeathed to the world this holiday season. Just yesterday, the star of blockbusters like G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Hercules reminded us all that there ain't nothing wrong with kicking back on Christmas with your hand on your fanny pack.

And earlier this month, Johnson made a memorable visit to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. There, sporting a messy bun better than we do atop a Himalayan peak, he and Fallon shared the year's best "Intense Staredown."

Let's hope Johnson's New Year's resolution is to give us even more amazing moments like this in 2015.

With Furious 7 and San Andreas set for release, we imagine he'll be making plenty of publicity stops — just thinking of the potential for a year full of man buns, fanny packs and Elvis-inspired karaoke from The Rock makes us feel merry and bright, indeed.

1. Most spirited

2. Most luminous

3. Flashiest

4. Most figures in one tiny space

5. Most likely to excite

6. Most character

7. Most charming and frightening all at the same time

8. Most picturesque

9. Most likely to steal the hearts of children

10. Most like a scene from a storybook

11. Most surprising

12. Most likely to confuse visitors

13. Most likely where Santa lives

More holiday fun

These pretty potted pine cone trees make adorable holiday accents
No-sew Christmas pillow makes a charming DIY gift
6 Little secrets to help you rock your light display year after year

Image: WENN

Ashlee Simpson showed off a hint of a baby bump in a flowing top and leggings as she and her husband, Evan Ross, did some Christmas shopping in Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old singer and her husband, who happens to be the son of Diana Ross, recently revealed they are expecting their first child together. Simpson already has a 6-year-old son named Bronx from her previous marriage to Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz.

Ross hinted to E! News that they were planning on starting a family together immediately. "I would like [having kids]. As many as possible!" said Ross, who married Simpson in August of this year. "I got married, I have new music and I'm part of Hunger Games. It's been a great year."

Next up: Blake Lively's pregnancy cape is drool-worthy

{pageBreak}

Blake Lively dresses her baby bump impeccably — and her recent street style looks are no exception. The actress, who is expecting her first child with actor Ryan Reynolds, wore skinny jeans paired with boots and the must-have accessory of the season, a cape.

Looking for a last-minute Christmas present? You can pick up Lively's exact Alicia Adams Alpaca Multi Band Throw Cape for $550. Yes, it is expensive… but at least you can wear it long past pregnancy, right?

The Gossip Girl alum recently revealed to The Kit how she celebrated Christmas growing up.

"Christmas is really just about being with family so we never leave the house," she said. "We're together all day whether we're making gingerbread houses or making cookies or sitting around watching movies, all piled up."

"I don't know how my family does this but everybody gets in the same bed, somehow we just spend seven hours a day just chatting, it's really nice to have that time."

Next up: Bones actress Emily Deschanel dresses her bump in sparkles

{pageBreak}

Image: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Pregnant Emily Deschanel looked gorgeous in this sequin Lanvin dress paired with a Max Mara tuxedo jacket at the Bones 200th episode celebration. The actress, who is seen here with her Bones co-star David Boreanaz, is expecting her second child with her husband David Hornsby. They already have a 3-year-old son named Henry.

Deschanel revealed to Us Weekly that her Bones character, Dr. Temperance Brennan, will also be pregnant on the show. "Yes, I think it will be [written into the show]," Deschanel tells Us Weekly. "I'm not like a tiny pregnant person. I'm not going to be able to hide it behind something small; it'll be easier to not hide it."

Will Henry have a little brother or little sister to play with? She said that is still a mystery. "I don't know if it'll be a boy or a girl."

Next up: Pregnant Vanessa Lachey wears a bump-hugging dress

{pageBreak}

Vanessa Lachey shows off her third trimester baby bump in a gray fitted dress as she poses with Larry King and Sofia Dickens. The 34-year-old is expecting her second child with her husband Nick Lachey. They are already parents to 2-year-old Camden.

Lachey told American Baby magazine that she learned a few lessons while parenting Camden — and that includes not rushing breastfeeding. As a baby, Camden would take about an hour to breastfeed," she says. "By the time he finished, it was almost time to feed again. A friend reminded me that infants are learning everything for the first time. So who am I to say, 'Hurry up and eat. We have to go?' I tried to look at that time as an opportunity to love on him."

She also told the magazine that parents shouldn't compare their child to others — especially on social media.

"With social media, people share mostly their best moments," she says. "Don't feel like you're not doing enough when you see a mom posting about making applesauce after you bought it. It's fine! Just for raising a little human being you should be commended."

Next up: Molly Sims shares maternity fashion tips

{pageBreak}

Molly Sims is radiant in red. The pregnant actress cupped her baby bump in a red lace dress in the photo she posted on her Instagram page. The 41-year-old is expecting her second child with her husband. They are already parents to a 2-year-old son named Brooks.

Sims, who revealed at the end of September that she was four months pregnant, recently shared some maternity fashion tips on her blog for The Bump.

"Don't be afraid to wear bold colors. Being pregnant doesn't mean you have to employ the wearing-all-black tactic; you should celebrate your burgeoning bump! When dressing bold, keep your makeup simple with a pop of color on the lip," she writes.

She also shares her secret to looking fabulous as your baby bump grows. "A little trick: as your belly grows, you should dress more fitted. Don't follow your inclination to dress bigger; it will make you look much bigger," she says.

You might also like

Pregnant celeb photos: Kate Middleton, Blake Lively, Jessica Biel
Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian reveals big baby news
Rose and Monroe top the list as the trendiest middle names