Happy New Years Eve!! 2009 is just about here and wherever you’ll be celebrating tonight have a safe and happy new year!

2008 was quite a year for many celebrities, but one in particular got the most media attention of them all. And the winner is……Britney Spears!  USA Today’s “Celebrity Heat Index,” which measures how much exposure celebrities get in print publications and online, found that Spears got more attention than anyone else for 11 weeks this year. She made headlines for both her breakdowns and her new album release. Spears also topped the USA Today “Celebrity Heat Index” in 2007. This year she was followed by Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt.

10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS STICK (This comes from Marie Claire)

1. Write it down: Use a journal or write it down on a notecard and tape it to your mirror.
2. Manage Expectations: If you break your resolution, don’t give up, just get back on the horse. If January isn’t the right time to start, pick another month. 
3. Get a buddy to do it with you: It’s easier to do things with a partner, so make a pact to stick to your resolution with a friend or relative. 
4. Revisit it: Make specific times throughout the year to review your goals and see how you’re doing.
5. Be smart: It’s a lot easier to stick to goals when you make them specific, attainable, and measurable. “I will go to the gym  twice a week” is better than a random “I will work out.”
6. Don’t remove, add: Replace bad habits with good ones. Make it positive, not negative. For example, instead of saying “I won’t eat junk food,” make it “I will start eating healthy meals every day.”
7. Make it public: Tell people what you’re up to, you’ll be more likely to stick to it. This works really well with things you might do in public, like smoking. You’ll think twice before you light up in front of friends who know you’re trying to quit.
8. Stick to a schedule: If you plan to exercise more, for instance, build no less than three workouts into your calendar at a time when you know you’ll be able to actually do it.
9. Create a vision board: It might sound hokey, but having a visual representation of your goals can really help! Cut out images and phrases from magazines, write out your favorite inspiring quote, grab some photos. Place them on a poster or corkboard and keep them in plain view.
10. Celebrate! The joy in resolutions is in the journey. Accept that this will be an ongoing process and celebrate yourself and your unique experiences. And if you don’t quite get there, there’s always 2010.

Do you know what Auld Lang Syne menas? It turns out that “Auld Lang Syne” is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s. A good translation of the words “auld lang syne” is “times gone by.” Now you know.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: Shaun Of The Dead

Happy New Year! Just a note, I’m off tomorrow to celebrate the holiday, but will be back to close out the week on Friday.

Just a day away from a brand new year! And it’s a new release Tuesday. Here’s what’s out:

Movies
1) An American Carol-Kevin Farley, Kelsey Grammer
2) Towelhead-Toni Collette, Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello
3) Surfer, Dude-Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson

TV on DVD
1) Nip/Tuck: Season 5, Part 1
2) Kyle XY: Season 2
3) Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget: Uncensored

BIGGEST TOURS OF 2008

1)Madonna: Her North America Sticky & Sweet tour raked in more than $105 million in ticket sales. On a worldwide scale, the tour grossed more than $280 million — making it the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo artist. She broke her old record of $195 million for her 2006 Confessions tour.
2) Celine Dion 
3) Eagles
4) Kenny Chesney
5) Bon Jovi
6) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
7) Neil Diamond
8 ) Rascal Flatts
9) The Police
10) Tina Turner

AFI NAMES 2008’s ‘MOST SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS’ IN FILM, TV AND THE WEB

The American Film Institute, famous for its lists of the best movies in various categories, has come up with what it calls 2008’s “Moments of Significance in Film, TV and the Web.” Topping the list is British director Danny Boyle’s acclaimed Hollywood-meets-Bollywood indie film Slumdog Millionaire, which AFI cited for being “a monument to the possibilities of cross-cultural storytelling.” Other moments of significance singled out by AFI include:

*Tina Fey’s double-duty as Emmy-winning writer/co-star of NBC’s 30 Rock and hilarious Sarah Palin impersonator on Saturday Night Live.
*Television coverage of the presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
*NBC’s coverage of the Beijing Summer Olympics and the network’s decision to install departing Tonight Show host Jay Leno into its 10 p.m. weeknight slot.
*Fast-growing website Hulu, a joint venture between various networks and film studios offering video of many popular shows.
*Joss Whedon’s surprise online hit, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, a 43-minute musical comedy starring Neil Patrick Harris.
*The endangered nature of independent filmmaking after major studios closed down specialty divisions such as Paramount Vantage, Warner Independent and New Line Cinema.
*The dwindling influence of mainstream media film critics caused by layoffs at big-name publications like Time, Newsweek and The Village Voice.

The American Film Institute’s “Moments of Significance” was chosen by a 13-person jury comprising scholars, film artists, critics and AFI trustees. The organization will officially recognize the moments in a January 9th ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

NEW YEAR’S EVE SUPERSTITIONS (This comes from snopes.com)

1) Kissing at midnight: Nobody to kiss as we ring in the New Year means a sad and lonely next 12 months.
2) Stocking up: Some people make sure there’s plenty of food and cash in the house to invite that prosperity for the rest of the year.
3) Paying off bills: This isn’t really a bad idea, but the superstition is that if you settle your debts before the New Year arrives you’ll stay out of debt for the rest of the year.
4) First footing: The first person to enter your home should be a dark-haired, tall, and good-looking male, who ideally should be bearing small gifts such as a lump of coal, a bit of bread, a silver coin, or a sprig of evergreen. Blond and red-headed first footers are bad luck, and females bring ruin on a household. The first-footer should knock and be let in, not use a key. He should leave by a different door, and be the first one out.
5) Nothing leaves the house: On New Year’s Day, don’t even think about taking out the garbage or even shaking a rug out of the door. If you have presents to deliver, leave them in the car the night before. More lenient people say it’s okay to take stuff out as long as you bring something new in.
6) Have some lucky food: Lucky dishes to bring prosperity include black-eyed peas, lentil soup, and pork (a chicken scratches backward, a cow stands still, but pigs move forward). Poultry should be avoided unless you want to spend the rest of your year scratching the ground for food like they do.
7) Work: Do a little bit of work the first day, but don’t do more than a token amount or you’ll bring bad luck.
8 ) New Clothes: Wear something new to increase the likelihood you’ll be getting new garments the rest of the year.
9) Money: Once it’s New Year’s Day, don’t pay back loans or lend money to anyone. If you do, you’ll be paying out all year long.
10) Breaking stuff: Make sure not to break anything on New Year’s Day or you’ll have bad luck all year long. Be careful not to cry either or you’ll have a very sad year.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: Wild Hogs

Welcome back from the Holiday weekend! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa brought you everything you asked for. Now we get ready to ring in the new year!! Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

And it looks like 2009 is going to be a great year for Bruce Springsteen. A couple weeks before “Working on a Dream” hits stores, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s “Greatest Hits” will hit stores. The 12-track collection spans Springsteen’s career, from “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” off his 1973 sophomore effort “The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle,” to “Radio Nowhere,” which was the first single off last year’s effort, “Magic.” “Greatest Hits” will be issued exclusively through Wal-Mart stores, arriving in stores on January 13th. “Working on a Dream” is slated for release on January 27th. In addition, Bruce and the E Streeters will be the halftime performer at Super Bowl 43, taking place in Tampa, Florida, on February 1st.

Did you get a chance to see one of new movies out over the Christmas weekend? Here’s how things played out in the Box Office: (I was extremely surprised that the new Tom Cruise movie Valkyrie or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button did NOT take #1, but I guess it makes sense that the family movies did well with it being a holiday weekend!)

1. Marley & Me, $37 million.
2. Bedtime Stories, $28.1 million.
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, $27 million.
4. Valkyrie, $21.5 million.
5. Yes Man, $16.5 million.
6. Seven Pounds, $13.4 million.
7. The Tale of Despereaux, $9.4 million.
8. The Day the Earth Stood Still, $7.9 million.
9. The Spirit, $6.5 million.
10. Doubt, $5.7 million.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS REMAIN THE SAME

Have you got a New Year’s resolution in mind? Feel free to steal from last year! According to a recent FranklinCovey Products New Year’s Resolutions Survey the top resolutions for 2009 are the same as they were for 2008.  Leading the list in both years is “get out of debt or save money.”

The FranklinCovey Products Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions For 2009:
1. Get out of debt or save money
2. Lose weight
3. Develop a healthy habit (e.g. exercise or healthy eating)
4. Get organized
5. Spend more time with family and friends
6. Develop a new skill or talent
7. Work less, play more
8. Other
9. Break an unhealthy habit (e.g. smoking, alcohol, overeating)
10. Change employment

The FranklinCovey Products Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions For 2008:
1. Get out of debt or save money
2. Lose weight
3. Develop a healthy habit (e.g. healthy eating, exercise)
4. Get organized
5. Develop a new skill or talent
6. Spend more time with family and friends
7. Other
8. Work less, play more
9. Break an unhealthy habit (e.g. smoking, alcohol, overeating)
10. Change employment

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: A Shark’s Tale

Just 2 days away from Christmas! And it’s a new release Tuesday. If you’re looking for some last minute gifts here’s what’s out today:

Movies
1) Eagle Eye-Shia Lebouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson
2) Ghost Town-Téa Leoni and Alan Ruck
3) Savage Grace-Julianne Moore

That’s pretty much it. No TV shows out today.

Here’s something musically to keep your eyes and ears out for. Kelly Clarkson is expected to kick off 2009 with the release of her latest single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” on January 19th. That will appear on her yet-to-be-titled new album, which currently has a March 17th release date. RollingStone.com, describes the album as “primo pop” very reminiscent of her hit 2004 album, Breakaway. She is also prepping for the new set’s arrival by changing her website to KellyOfficial.com from KellyClarksonWeb.com and setting up a voice mailbox where you can call to get the latest updates.

NEW MOVIES OUT FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND!! (Lots to enjoy)

BEDTIME STORIES (PG)
Hotel handyman Skeeter Bronson gets an unexpected surprise when he discovers that the tall tales he’s been telling his niece and nephew are somehow coming true. Stars Adam Sandler, Guy Pearce, Keri Russell, Richard Griffiths, Courteney Cox Arquette.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (PG-13)
“I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. Stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng.

MARLEY AND ME (PG)
The Grogans adopt the cute, twelve pound yellow Labrador, who in no time at all, grows into a 100-pound steamroller of unbridled energy that turns the Grogan home into a disaster area. Stars Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Eric Dane.

THE SPIRIT (PG-13)
A detective prevents an attempt to release a substance that will leave the citizens of Central City in suspended animation. He is exposed to the goo, which gives him the ability to withstand any beating. Stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, Dan Lauria.
 
VALKYRIE (PG-13)
A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Stars Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten

ROMANIA SETS SANTA WORLD RECORD

People in the Romanian town of Bucharest are having a record setting holiday. The town set a Guinness World Record when three-thousand-939 people took to the streets dressed as Santa Claus to hand out gifts. Bucharest beat the previous record of three-thousand-618 Santas, which was set in Taipei in 2003. Bucharest is the second Romanian town to set a Guinness World Record this holiday season. The city of Brasov set the record for longest Christmas letter when children wrote a one-thousand-357 foot wish list.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas

Just a note, I’ll be off tomorrow through Friday to spend some time with family and enjoy the holidays. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Just 3 days away from Christmas! Did you manage to get all of your holiday shopping finished over the weekend? I couldn’t believe how many cars were parked over at the mall on Saturday.  As I was driving by it looked like every spot was taken and cars were just pouring in. Absoulte Choas! Thankfully we are finally coming up on the finish line and we’ll get some much needed rest and relaxation.

Not many people taking the time to relax and see a new movie over the weekend. Fairly weak showings for the two big ones, Yes Man and Seven Pounds. Here’s the standings:

1. Yes Man, $18.2 million.
2. Seven Pounds, $16 million.
3. The Tale of Despereaux, $10.5 million.
4. The Day the Earth Stood Still, $10.2 million.
5. Four Christmases, $7.7 million.
6. Twilight, $5.2 million.
7. Bolt, $4.3 million.
8. Slumdog Millionaire, $3.2 million.
9. Australia, $2.3 million.
10. Quantum of Solace, $2.2 million.

RE-GIFTING RULES (this comes from AOL)

• Regift a toy your kid won’t use: Gather up everything you own that you don’t want and that could possibly be given as a gift. Make a list of everyone you plan on giving gifts to this holiday season and try to match up your unwanted items with your friends and family members. For example, if you have a Marshmallow Shooter that your super studious daughter will never use, but your neighbor’s kid just loves playing outdoors, that could be a perfect gift for her.
• Send a scent to a friend: Let’s say that your friend who lives in another state bought you some lovely perfume, like Armani Code Sheer, but it’s not your signature scent. A beautiful perfume like this can generally be for anyone on your list.
• Don’t regift to the person who gave you the gift: It’s also vitally important to remember who gave you each of the items that you are regifting. Nothing is more mortifying than giving your mother-in-law the board game that she gave your family last year. If you can’t remember who gave you something, you can either give it to someone you have met within the last year who could not have possibly given it to you, or donate it to your church or favorite charity.
• Use a Secret Santa swap at work to regift: Additionally, some workplaces hold Secret Santa or gift exchanges around the holiday season and this is the perfect time to unload that second humidifier you got at a work function. However, you definitely don’t want to regift anything that a coworker gave you, so again, make sure you know who gave you
which gift.
• Break up value sets: An alternative to regifting is to break up value sets. Value sets usually include full or slightly smaller sizes of a brand’s most popular or holiday themed products. One really yummy value set for the holidays is the philosophy cookbook mini shower gel set. Within this gift set you have at least 10 different gifts to give that are perfect for stocking stuffers or gifts for the teachers at your children’s schools.
• Use items from a food basket as stocking stuffers: If you want some yummy stocking stuffers, but don’t want to spend big bucks buying things individually, you can buy a gourmet food basket and distribute its contents to your loved ones. This is especially helpful when your family members have different tastes, now you can give your husband some delicious sausage, your daughter some decadent chocolate, and your son some tasty cheese.

FULFILLING FREE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

According to the E-Poll 2008 Holiday Survey, when asked what one thing they could do that doesn’t involve money that would make their holiday season even better, topping the list by a wide margin for both kids aged two to 12 and those aged 13 and older is being with family.

Children aged two to 12:
1. Be with family (126)
2. Bake/cook (52)
3. Play in the snow (39)
4. Help people/give gifts to the poor (21)
5. Go caroling (12)

People aged 13 and older:
1. Be with family (138)
2. Help others/volunteer (32)
3. Bake/cook (26)
4. Play games (19)
5. Pray (10)

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: Miracle On 34th Street

Snow!!! And lot’s of it falling out there today. Please be safe if you have to travel! On a brighter note, it’s finally Friday which means new movies in theaters. Here’s what’s out this weekend:

SEVEN POUNDS (PG-13)

In the dramatic film Seven Pounds, Will Smith plays Ben, a depressed IRS agent mourning the loss of his wife and filled with guilt over the mistakes of his past. Ben decides to commit suicide, but before he dies he wants to help improve the lives of seven struggling individuals. All goes as planned until he begins to fall in love with a heart patient named Emily, played by Rosario Dawson. The movie also stars Woody Harrelson as a blind pianist who befriends Ben.

In Seven Pounds, Smith reunites with the producing and directing team of Pursuit Of Happyness.

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX (G)

The Tale Of Despereaux is an animated film about a brave little mouse who prefers reading books to eating them, voiced by Matthew Broderick. Despereaux lives in a castle with the princess he loves, the servant girl who wishes she were a princess and a scheming rat. The film is narrated by Sigourney Weaver and also stars Emma Watson, Tracey Ullman and Dustin Hoffman as the rat.

YES MAN (PG-13)

The comedy Yes, Man stars Jim Carrey plays Carl, a man who challenges himself to say “yes” to everything in his life for a year. The story is based on Danny Wallace’s autobiographical book and also stars Zooey Deschanel and Bradley Cooper.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R, Playing at Cinemapolis)

The story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. Each chapter of Jamal’s increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the show’s seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out. At the heart of its storytelling lies the question of how anyone comes to know the things they know about life and love.

MYSPACE NAMES MOST POPULAR CELEBS

Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez and Zach Braff are among the celebrities with the most friends on MySpace. The social network revealed that Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher, Jenna Fischer, Criss Angel, Hayden Panettiere, Shanna Moakler, Travis Barker and Lauren Conrad are also amongst the bold face names who have found digital popularity. Some of the top-searched terms on the site include Twilight, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Lil Wayne and Taylor Swift.

E.T. BELIEVERS BEAM TEXT MESSAGES TO ALIENS

Alien hunters in Britain are taking advantage of an unusual messaging service to contact extraterrestrials. www.SentForever.com lets people type messages on their Web site that are then beamed into space via satellite — for a fee of $20. People who send messages receive a Certificate of Transmission and a code so they can track their message’s journey through space. But the owner of the company says many of its customers are sending messages in hopes that an alien will text them back.

2008 A GREAT YEAR FOR “GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS”

2008 has been a banner year for the spectacular and unique. For years the “Guinness World Records” has kept track of amazing and bizarre accomplishments across the globe, and 2008 provided plenty of material. Guinness’ editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday, discussed the past year saying, quote, “Guinness World Records has spent over 50 years chronicling remarkable record-breaking feats and 2008 was one of the best years yet.” After taking some time to reflect, Guinness released what they believe are some of 2008’s best moments.

Here is “Guinness World Record’s” list of the ten best record moments of 2008:

1) He PingPing, the World’s Smallest Man, met the World’s Longest Legs in Svetlana Meet. Meet’s legs are 51-point-nine-inches long, more than double the stature of PingPing who is a mere 21-point-nine-inches tall.

2) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rising to become Hollywood’s most powerful actor and actress.

3) On August 29, 2008 Chris Chike set the record for High Score on a Single Song for “Guitar Hero III.” Chike played DragonForce’s “Through the Fire and Flames,” totaling a staggering 899-thousand-703 points.

4) China’s Bao Xi Shun regained his crown as world’s Tallest Living Man at seven-feet eight-point-95-inches.

5) 116 people gathered at St. Pancras station to set the record for Largest Gathering of People Wearing Underpants.

6) “Grand Theft Auto IV” hit shelves in May earning 310-million-dollars in its first day, making it the winner of Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours.

7) Ludacris and Tommy Lee joined hundreds of people at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Hotel to form the Largest Group Shower.

Topping out at 69-miles-per-hour, Edd China piloted the Fastest Bed.

9)Florida’s Joel Waul possessed the Largest Rubber Band Ball. It weighed nine-thousand-32-pounds and measured six-feet-seven-inches tall.

10) Scotland’s Mark Beaumont pedaled around the world in 194 days and 17 hours to earn the Fastest Circumnavigation Cycled Around the World.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: A Muppet Christmas Carol

So close to the weekend and just a week away from Christmas. This time next week we’ll all be relaxing and saying “thank goodness we made it through another Christmas!!”

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARD NOMINEES ARE IN!

The nominations for the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced earlier today.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR
Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)
Sean Penn (Milk)
Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
Angelina Jolie (Changeling)
Melissa Leo (Frozen River)
Meryl Streep (Doubt)
Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin (Milk)
Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams (Doubt)
Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Viola Davis (Doubt)
Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Kate Winslet (The Reader)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A TV DRAMA SERIES ENSEMBLE
Boston Legal
The Closer
Dexter
House
Mad Men

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A TV COMEDY SERIES ENSEMBLE
30 Rock
Desperate Housewives
Entourage
The Office
Weeds

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Hugh Laurie (House)
William Shatner (Boston Legal)
James Spader (Boston Legal)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA
Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters)
Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)
Holly Hunter (Saving Grace)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Steve Carell (The Office)
David Duchovny (Californication)
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY
Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)
Tracey Ullman (Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union)

The awards are scheduled to air on January 25th on TNT and TBS.

BURGER KING LAUNCHES MEAT-SCENTED COLOGNE

Burger King has launched a cologne fragrance with a hint of flame-broiled meat entitled Flame. Interested customers can visit the scent’s website at www.firemeetsdesire.com. Burger King is promoting its delicious aroma saying, quote, “Flame by BK captures the essence of that love and gives it to you. Behold…now you can set the mood for whatever you’re in the mood for.”

MOST POPULAR DOG NAMES FOR 2008

Most Popular Male Dog Names:
1. Bear
2. Blue
3. Max/Maximus/Maxwell
4. Duke
5. Buddy
6. Jack
7. Prince
8. King
9. Bailey
10. Rocky
11. Harley
12. Jake
13. Shadow
14. Lucky
15. Hunter
16. Dakota
17. Lou
18. Midnight
19. Cooper
20. Buster

Most Popular Female Dog Names:
1. Lady
2. Belle/Bell/Bella
3. Princess
4. Mae/May
5. Rose
6. Daisy
7. Grace/Gracie
8. Baby
9. Molly
10. Maggie
11. Sadie
12. Ann/Annie
13. Star
14. Lily/Lilly
15. Angel
16. Coco/Cocoa
17. Sophie/Sophia
18. Lucy
19. Abby/Abigail
20. Marie

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Just 8 days until Christmas! I’m feeling pretty good today as I got the last of my Christmas packages sent out. Just a reminder, we are getting close to the mailing deadline to get gifts to loved ones before Christmas. I want to say this Friday is the deadline for that. You might be able to get away with it on Monday, but that would be cutting it pretty close. So keep that in mind if you still have some gifts to send out.

EAGLES’ “LONG ROAD” AMONG BEST-SELLING CDS OF 2008

The Eagles are getting a nice gift this year. They have one of the best-selling albums of the year for a second consecutive year, with the same album. “The Long Road Out of Eden,” has fourth place on Neilsen’s list of the Top 10 Albums of 2008.

The Nielsen/Billboard Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. Alicia Keys, “As I Am”
2. Josh Groban, “Noel”
3. Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter Three”
4. Eagles, “Long Road Out of Eden”
5. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift”
6. Kid Rock, “Rock N Roll Jesus”
7. Coldplay, “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends”
8. Various Artists, “NOW 26″
9. Carrie Underwood, “Carnival Ride”
10. Garth Brooks, “The Ultimate Hits”

WILL SMITH IN TALKS FOR “HANCOCK,” “I AM LEGEND” FOLLOW UPS

There’s word that follow-up movies are in the works for the Will Smith films “Hancock” and “I Am Legend.” Producers for the “Hancock” sequel are trying to get Charlize Theron to reprise her role for the film. The Zombie movie, “I Am Legend,” now has a prequel in the works that will tell the story of how the disease spreads across the last American city. It will also feature more of a relationship between Smith’s character and his onscreen wife.

Also speaking of sequels, The “Terminator” will be back, for at least a fifth film. The original plan was to wait until the release of the fourth film, “Terminator Salvation,” in May before deciding whether or not to proceed with another movie. However, feedback from footage of “Terminator Salvation” has been positive, prompting producers to move forward with a fifth installment for the franchise. It has yet to be determined where the movie will be shot, but locations like the Middle East have been mentioned. The movie is tentatively scheduled for a 2011 release. “Terminator Salvation” is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2009. Christian Bale, who has signed on to do the next three chapters in the franchise, will star as John Connor.

SIMON COWELL MORE FAMOUS THAN GOD……OH GOD!!

In a new survey of children under the age of ten from Britain, Simon Cowell topped the list as the most famous person in the world. He edged out God to take first place, while the Queen came in third by a slim margin. According to the kids, looking good has the lead among the “very best things in the world,” and “being fat” is number one on the list of the “very worst things in the world.” Number two on the “worst” list is “divorce,” and “ban divorce” is the rule most of the kids said they would make if they were king of queen. The youngsters’ favorite day of the week is Saturday, because it’s the only day they don’t have to go to school and don’t have to go to bed early.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

It’s a new release Tuesday and just 9 days til Christmas! Here’s what’s new:

MUSICALLY (If you have kids, these might make a great gift)
1) Fall Out Boy: Folie A Deaux
2) The All American Rejects: When The World Comes Down

MOVIES
1) Mamma Mia: The Movie (2 Disc Special Edition)-Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan
2) The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor-Brendan Fraser, Jet Li

Coming out Friday the 19th:
1) The House Bunny-Anna Ferris
2) Traitor-Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce
3) The Women-Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Debra Messing

Coming Out Sunday the 21st:
1) Burn After Reading-George Clooney, Brad Pitt
2) Death Race-Jason Statham

TV on DVD
1) Ice Road Truckers: Season 2
2) Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Volume 6

SARA BAREILLES LINES UP WINTER 2009 TOUR

Sara Bareilles is set to hit the road in early 2009. She kicks off a month-long North American tour on February 11th in Virginia. Tickets are on sale now. The tour comes in support of Bareilles’ debut album, Little Voice, which features the Grammy-nominated single “Love Song.” The track is up for Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance categories. She’s also featured on the new holiday compilation Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs. She wrote the title track specifically for the set. It’s currently streaming at Bareilles’ MySpace page.

Closest Sara Bareilles Dates (for now):
February 16 - New York, NY - Joe’s Pub
February 23 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
February 27 - Toronto, Ontario - Church of the Redeemer

MADONNA AND GUY RITCHIE SETTLE DIVORCE FOR $76 MILLION!!

I can’t believe it already over! Madonna and her ex Guy Ritchie have reached a financial settlement in their divorce. Ritchie will get somewhere between $76 million and $92 million, which takes into account the couple’s massive English country estate. Their London pub, called the Punchbowl, will also go to the film director. No agreement has yet been reached over the custody of their two children. But several insiders say Madonna plans to stay in New York, while Ritchie intends to remain in the U.K. Despite reports, Madonna and Ritchie may not be spending the holidays together with their children after all. “Madonna will be spending the holidays in London. But it is doubtful she will be spending it with the ex.”

GENIUS GIFTS FROM THE DRUGSTORE (This comes from Lemondrop.com)

This is for all the guys looking to do some last minute Christmas shopping Christmas Eve!

• An old romantic comedy on DVD + a box of microwave popcorn = perfect for the couch potato couple.
• A travel-size toothbrush + neck pillow + disposable camera = for the jet-setter friend.
• Fruit-flavored lip gloss + a bag of Gummi bears = for the girl with a big sweet tooth.
• The Schick Intuition Plus shaving kit + foot scrub + peppermint lotion = for the career girl who’s always on her feet
• A celebrity-brand bottle of perfume or cologne + a gossip magazine = perfect for the celeb-obsessed friend
• 6-pack of energy drinks + a jar of Icy Hot = for the gym rat
• Lemon-scented herbal wipes + a scented candle = your favorite yogi’s new must-haves
• An oversize red bow + a bottle of warming massage oil = treat for your honey (the bow goes on you!)

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Back from the weekend and now just 10 days away from Christmas! And you could tell at the malls this weekend. The parking lots and stores were packed, and many taking the time to see a new movie over the weekend.

Here’s a look at the weekend Box Office:

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still, $31 million
2. Four Christmases, $13.3 million
3. Twilight, $8 million
4. Bolt, $7.5 million
5. Australia, $4.3 million
6. Quantum of Solace, $3.8 million
7. Nothing Like the Holidays, $3.5 million
8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, $3.3 million
9. Milk, $2.6 million
10. Transporter 3, $2.3 million

BIG CHANGES HEADED TO “AMERICAN IDOL’S” NEW SEASON!!

“American Idol” fans, you should expect a few changes to the upcoming eighth season, as it will experience some expansions when it kicks off in January of next year. The month-long period where “Idol” usually features the best and worst auditions from around the country will now air for only three weeks. This area of the season has been shortened in order to show more “aspirational” singers and fewer bad singers. The two week-long Hollywood round that follows the initial auditions will now give 36 contestants a shot at making it to the top 12 rather than just 24. Also adding to the changes, the round known as the “wild card round” is slated to come back in season eight. Fox’s “American Idol” will kick off January 13th, 2009.

A MAJORITY AREN’T OPTIMISTIC, SUPPORTIVE OF AUTO INDUSTRY LOANS

While there’s still no auto bailout plan in place, a majority of Americans think even if lawmakers come up with a plan to help car manufacturers it won’t be enough. A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows that 85-percent think it’s either very or somewhat likely the Big Three will be asking the government for help again next year regardless to what’s approved before the end of the year. Only one-percent says it’s not at all likely that car companies will make another appeal for assistance after receiving financial help. More men than women believe it’ll happen, and more investors than non-investors agree. In addition, the taxpayer-backed loans don’t have strong support from the public. A breakdown along political lines shows that 49-percent of Democrats, 55-percent of Republicans, and 58-percent of Independents are against the loans.

Movie Clip Trivia Answer: A Christmas Story