BuzzSugar

What Will You Watch on TV Tonight?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:32:17 PDT

As Summer TV nights go, this one is actually relatively big. Two new shows - Fear Itself and Swingtown - are premiering, while an established Summer favorite - So You Think You Can Dance - reveals its top 20 contestants. Plus, there's the start of the NBA finals and the end of Step It Up and Dance. So, what will you be watching?

Photos courtesy of NBC, CBS, and Fox

TV Tonight: Fear Itself

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:37:48 PDT

Making a horror series to the standards of network television can't be an easy task - but NBC has put some of the genre's best on the case. Fear Itself, the network's horror anthology series, premieres tonight, with the directors of films such as American Psycho and Bride of Chucky taking turns creating spooky one-hour episodes for the next 13 Thursdays.

There's nothing overly gory about these episodes - in part because that kind of thing would never make it past broadcast censors but also because the producers (who also did Showtime's Masters of Horror) thought that those R-rated elements had been pushed as far as they could go in films and on cable. The result is a series that's reaching for a more psychological sort of horror - spooky, not gross.

Tonight's first episode, "The Sacrifice," is a pretty straightforward take on the genre. Four fugitives - including one played by Jesse Plemons, Landry of Friday Night Lights - turn up at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. At first it seems like a safe, comfortable place (stocked with beautiful women, no less), but of course it's anything but. The story isn't terribly complex (it could be a slightly more adult take on something from Are You Afraid of the Dark?), but it's well-directed by Breck Eisner, who's currently remaking The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the acting is sufficiently creepy. For more on the series and to see a preview, just

read more. Later episodes go heavier on the psychological elements; while I still haven't seen either of the two I'm most highly anticipating, the second episode - in which a bad cop stages a stakeout at what turns out to be a haunted house - has a very different feel from "The Sacrifice." I'm curious to see where the series goes; its format seems perfect for Summer, since viewers can pop in and out without missing plot. Will you be checking in to see if Fear Itself spooks you? Here's a look: Photo courtesy of NBC

NBC Gets Top Talent for 13-Episode Horror Anthology

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:29:18 PST

NBC has lured top-notch horror writers, directors and actors to collaborate on Fear Itself, a 13-episode anthology series of suspense and horror stories that sounds like it's going to be genuinely cool and scary.

Some of the notable actors involved include Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Shiri Appleby (Charlie Wilson's War), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Cynthia Watros (Lost) and Eric Roberts (Heroes). The group of writers chosen to contribute features Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Dan Knauf (Carnivale, Supernatural), and a bunch of guys from Masters of Horror, among others. As for directors, they've roped in Mary Harron (American Psycho), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Ronny Yu (Freddy vs. Jason, Bride of Chucky) and Ernest Dickerson (Heroes), along with several others.

To find out which of the episodes sound the most intriguingly freaky to me,

read more. You can find a full rundown of all the episodes here. The ones I'm most looking forward to are "Nightmare in Lace" ("On her wedding day, a beautiful bride receives a mysterious note that reads: 'The person you are marrying is a serial killer.'") and "Eater" ("A rookie cop (Moss) must spend her first night in the precinct watching over a serial killer, coined 'The Eater' (Stephen R. Hart). When her fellow cops start acting bizarre, she quickly learns that no one is who they seem."). What do you think of NBC's horror-fest? Will you tune in for Fear Itself?

The Biggest Baby Naming Trends of the Year

BabyCenter — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:33:23 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Lindsay Weiss about the most popular baby names of 2011.

Drum roll please…Babycenter just released the results of its highly anticipated annual Top 100 Baby Names of 2011.

(Note: am I the only one whose heart starts pounding when I read this list? Don’t get me wrong, I love the names but my palms are sweating because I do not want to see my kids names on this list! Sadly, they are. Darn Kate Middleton…it’s all her fault.)

As Carolyn noted, there’s no surprise on the most popular names - Aiden tops the boys’ list for the seventh consecutive year while Sophia holds tight to the lead for girls for the second year in a row. But never fear, 2011 definitely yielded some interesting trends in naming:

The Anderson Cooper Effect
He’s got a new talk show and, apparently, a lot of ‘mini-Coopers’ too. While Cooper rose 3 percent to number 58 on the list, the name Anderson made a meteoric ascent, up more than 100 spots!

Fist Pump…Jersey Style
In addition, this year’s list reflects America’s obsession with the Garden State, as names like Nicole (Jersey Shore) make their way up four spots while Briella (Jerseylicious), Jacqueline and Caroline (The Real Housewives of New Jersey), and Kimberly (Jersey Couture) all experienced hair-raising leaps. And if that’s not enough, the name Jersey itself is up 16 percent!

Keeping Up With…Mason?
Another reality baby name star to take note of is Mason, Kourtney Kardashian’s son, who toddled up eight spots to claim the number three spot for boys. Not to be outdone, the first names of power couple Victoria and David Beckham are both on the rise as well as that of their newborn daughter, Harper, whose name is up an impressive 34 spots.

The Royal and the Political
Keeping the reality show stars in check is the royal duo William and Kate, whose names are both on the rise along with Harry and Pippa, whose name is up a whopping 45 percent. Moms also looked to politics, as evidenced by the rise of inspirational congresswoman Gabby Giffords’ name, as well as the names of the Palin, Obama, and Clinton daughters.

Superheroes…Real and Fictional
Additional inspiration for this year’s crop of top baby names came from superheroes, with names like May (Spider-Girl) swooping up 98 spots and Peter (Spiderman) climbing 22 spots. NASCAR and nature also left their mark on this year’s list, with names like Matt (Kenseth) and Kyle (Busch) on the rise along with Summer and Storm.

Do any of these trends resonate with you?

P.S. full disclosure: I may need to get pregnant (with a girl, please) in 2012 so I can name her Pippa. Who wouldn’t love to squeeze the cheeks on a little Pippa?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
6 ways to stretch your holiday dollars
Homeless by choice family: cool or lame?
Don't tell me about your sleeping baby
9 Hanukkah craft ideas for kids
5 reasons my baby won't start solids - ever

7 Costly Debt Traps and How to Avoid Them

Kiplinger — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:15:40 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!

Not all debt is created equal. While most forms of borrowing entail risk, certain credit decisions are more likely to lead you into a downward spiral of indebtedness. We call these debt traps.

It’s incredibly easy to stumble into a debt trap. All it takes is a brief lapse in judgment. Opening a new credit card account without understanding the interest rates and fees, or the implications for your credit score, is just one example.

No one wants to become mired in debt - especially when common borrowing mistakes are avoidable. Read on to educate yourself about seven of the biggest debt traps and ways to avoid them.

Buying Too Much House

In general, you should not spend more than 28% of your gross income on housing expenses, and your total debt-to-income ratio (including car payments, credit card bills, student loans, etc.) should not exceed 36% of your gross income. While those numbers are not set in stone, especially if you live in a high-cost area, they provide a good framework for calculating how much home you can buy, says Adam Granger, a mortgage consultant in Weston, Fla.

Next, figure out the maximum down payment you can make. Try to put 20% toward your new home to avoid paying private mortgage insurance. You also need to factor in closing costs, which typically range between 3% and 5% of the home price. So if you want a home listed at $200,000, you would need to budget at least $48,000 to cover 20% down plus 4% in closing costs.

It is also important to account for homeowners insurance and real estate taxes, both of which can alter your debt-to-income ratio dramatically, says Granger. You’ll probably want some money for decorating, too, and it’s always good to set aside cash for emergencies. If you’re not yet there financially, keep saving. It’s best to buy a home only when you can truly afford it. Buy one when you can’t, and foreclosure is a real possibility.

Read on for more costly debt traps.

Amy Adams Talks Muppets, How She Picks Movies, and Her Leading Ladies Like Meryl and Ms. Piggy

Allie Merriam — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:22:00 PDT

Amy Adams was in the midst of a busy award season when we were able to visit the LA set of The Muppets in January. It was just one day before she dressed up to attend the Golden Globes, but Amy was more focused on spending her between-scenes time with her fiancé, Darren Le Gallo, and their daughter Aviana. Jason Segel spoke about writing and getting the Muppets movie made, while Amy was happy to chat about her latest connection to the Disney family. She also shared about the honor of being Jason's first choice for the role of Mary, how she picks projects, and who would win in a Meryl Streep and Ms. Piggy showdown. Amy said:

On her friends wanting to visit the set: "I have a lot of friends [come by] - not just for the Muppets, but for Jason. I have a lot of girls who really like Jason. There have been a lot of visitors. I have visitors today. It’s exciting because a lot of people grew up loving the Muppets and it’s nice for them to get to see it."
On what made her decide to sign on: "[Shooting in LA] is a huge benefit for me having just had a baby. I can be at home and be working with the Muppets, which is such a family-friendly set and family-friendly film. She is here today. I’m sure you’ve seen me flying around with her. That is a huge plus. Also, just to get to introduce her to the Muppets is very fun. She was interacting with Walter today. It was the first time she had ever interacted with any of the Muppets. So that was cool."
On who's tougher to act with - Miss Piggy or Meryl Streep? "I have to say that I can’t win in that answer because I am working with Ms. Piggy. So if I say, 'Meryl Streep,' I have to see Ms. Piggy tomorrow and it will be like, 'So I heard . . . ' So I’m just going to plead the fifth. I know Meryl will be OK, but I don’t want to cross Ms. Piggy."
On being flattered by being Jason's top choice: "I didn’t know the extent to which he had thought of me. I knew for him to send a personal invite to be a part of it and getting Kermit to be a part of it - I knew that he was serious about it. I didn’t know that he specifically had me in mind until after I was on set. It’s a lot pressure and I didn’t know!"

Photo courtesy Disney

To read more about Amy growing up with Muppets, her hopes of getting into Disney for free someday, and more about the film, just

X-Men: First Class - A Prequel to the Rescue

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:45:27 PDT

In a Summer full of sequels, X-Men: First Class does more than live up to its franchise - it improves upon it. With a combination of great actors, a compelling story, and a fun, swingin' '60s setting, X-Men First Class is an entertaining blockbuster that doesn't sacrifice any substance for style. Technically a prequel rather than a sequel, First Class visits the universe of the X-Men before they came into their own as superheroes. James McAvoy is the young Charles Xavier, a new professor studying genetic mutation, with his own to boot: telepathy. Michael Fassbender plays Erik Lensherr, a man who witnessed the murder of his family during the Holocaust as a boy, and who has spent much of his adulthood tracking down and killing those responsible. At his disposal is his own mutation: the ability to attract and manipulate metal like a magnet, eventually earning the nickname Magneto.

When upstart CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) is monitoring suspicious businessman Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) and his involvement with nuclear weaponry, she witnesses his alliance of mutant minions. Moira consults Charles for his mutant research, recruiting him to help in her investigation. Erik and Charles encounter each other while Erik is hunting Shaw, who happens to be the man who killed Erik's mother. Erik and Charles find that they have much in common and form a fast friendship. Though the plot is propelled forward by the pursuit of the villain Shaw, the real meat of the movie is in the origin story of the mutant characters and how they came to harness their powers as X-Men. It's an angle that breathes fresh new life into the series, and the clean slate is an opportunity that's not wasted by director and writer Matthew Vaughn. Find out why I enjoyed X-Men: First Class so much when you

read more. After four other movies, the X-Men franchise felt like it was losing a bit of its spark, especially after X-Men Origins: Wolverine failed to reignite it. Perhaps that film's focus on one character was too limiting, because First Class's breadth gives you enough to chew on to keep your attention. Introducing us to several key characters and giving us the entire mutant story is much more effective. The shared backstory is absorbing; using an invention of brilliant young scientist Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult), Charles and Erik locate several mutants, each in various states of bewilderment over their mutations. Most prominently, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) suffers from the angst of being unable to accept her true, blue shape-shifting form, Hank has been ridiculed for his animal-like feet, and Alex (Lucas Till) lives in fear of hurting people with his fiery gift. Along with a few others, the young outcasts form a community for the first time, and Charles establishes a school for them at his home, training each of them to take control of their particular abnormalities. Eventually, they find their way, and new monikers: Mystique, Beast, Havok, Banshee, and Professor X, to name a few. Though the characters themselves are recognizable, the fresh faces playing them are newbies to the series, and most are new to the superhero genre itself. Fassbender, McAvoy, and Lawrence are each known for their dramatic performances, and the combined acting chops are a boon in an action movie. The only negative takeaway I had was that I wanted to spend more time with the characters in their development and bonding. The relationships (and potential romances) among the mutants are far more interesting than Shaw's plot to incite a third-world war, even if it is necessary to explain how Charles and Erik came to be on opposing sides. First Class finds a balance of drama and action that keeps it from being a mindless popcorn flick, while still retaining the high energy of one. The tone varies admirably; the movie can be tragic at times, but it also has plenty of lighthearted moments to prevent it from being a totally dark, dramatic take on X-Men. Charles has an affection for chugging beer and hitting on women, and Raven's adolescence makes her an incorrigible flirt. Likewise, Fassbender breezes into each scene with charm as murderous as his mutant skills. As cheesy as it may be, the fantastic cast and story can be summed up by its title: first class.

3 Dos (and 1 Don't) of Summertime Shaving

Jaime Richards — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:00:00 PDT

While a recent survey found that 58 percent of women fеаr bikini аnd leg stubble during the warm-weather months, hopefully very few of these women find fear in the actual process of shaving itself. Sure, multiple blades contained within a razor can look daunting, but when all is said and done, shaving produces instant results. And besides, shaving can also assist in "polishing" your skin, leaving behind a healthy glow.

So don't be afraid of the blade, but do:

Keep the skin relaxed during a shave: But in areas that are more difficult to reach or where hair grows from various angles, don't be afraid to pull the skin more taut to make it easier to move the razor around.
Make shaving the last thing you do: Hair that's been softened and plumped throughout the length of a warm shower is hair that's easier to shave. So the next time you step in the shower, wait until the very end to bust out that razor.
Use a razor with a pivoting head and multiple blades: For a smoother, closer shave, choose a razor that moves with the body. And as for those multiple blades, the reason they work so well is that they reduce friction on the skin. They also help lift hairs up, allowing the hair to be cut much nearer to the shaft. Try: Schick Quattro For Women ($12).

But don't:

Shave and then immediately head to the ocean: Jumping into the salty ocean water (or even chlorine in a pool) can irritate the skin. Instead, try shaving the night before swimming to avoid the ouch factor.

Limitless: Doesn't Reach Its Full Potential

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:47:02 PDT

The exciting premise of Limitless opens the door for a plethora of possible film storylines: a man discovers a wonder drug called NZT that allows him to access 100 percent of his brain. He not only becomes an upgraded version of himself, he transforms into the best version of virtually any human. Will he use his power for good? For evil? For love? Director Neil Burger tries to encapsulate all of those themes (and more) into his film, creating an adventure that's entertaining but never quite crosses over into exhilarating.

Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Morra, a struggling writer whose life is in the toilet. He looks like hell, his apartment is a dump, and his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) just broke up with him. He's skeptical when his former brother-in-law slips him a drug to help him focus on his book, but Eddie quickly changes his mind when he asks himself "how much worse could it get?"

Thus begins a dizzying adventure where NZT becomes Eddie's own personal magic lamp, granting him all the wishes he could possibly ask for. Naturally, it's not all fun and games; he's thrown into a circle of violence and slippery people almost immediately after NZT becomes part of his life. The more Eddie shows off his newly acquired skills, business savvy, and opulence, the bigger the target on his back becomes.

To find out why Bradley Cooper shines, just

read more. Limitless is by all means a thriller, but it's also part escapist film. In the midst of watching Eddie skyrocket to the top, part of the fun is imagining what it would be like if a drug like NZT really did exist. Burger plays up this aspect every chance he gets, trying to take the audience on a similar roller coaster ride to the one that Eddie is experiencing. As Eddie writes his novel in hours, words cascade down the screen; when he starts to experience withdrawal, the camera shifts and turns upside down.The visual effects get a bit nauseating, but it's also clear that both Cooper and Burger are having fun, and that the film doesn't take itself too seriously. We even get some comic relief courtesy of Eddie's self-deprecating personality. In his first role as leading man, Cooper successfully proves that he has what it takes to carry a film on his own. He's backed up by a solid supporting cast in Cornish and Robert DeNiro, but Cooper is Limitless. He brings just the right amount of fear, confidence, and wit to Eddie, and manages to keep the smarmy behavior of "enhanced Eddie" reigned in just enough to keep the audience on his side (those piercing baby blues don't hurt either). The problem is that there are so many different roads Eddie's story can take, but the film never commits to just one. His new life becomes so bogged down in danger and problems, and the various issues begin to compete for screen time. Eddie's relationship with Lindy is the heart of the film, as she's the only person in his life who knows him for who he actually is, but their scenes together are virtually missing from the film's final act. Between Eddie's dependency on the drug, the realization of the side effects, and issues with his newfound business deals, there are just too many loose ends left to tie up. Like NZT itself, Limitless is alluring, thought-provoking, and dizzying. But with a tighter script and added intensity, it could have been a more heart-pounding ride.

Red Face When Exercising: Normal or Not?

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:50:43 PDT

We may not look the prettiest after a workout with our sweaty skin, streaked mascara, and disheveled hair, but it's nothing a little shower can't handle. One thing you may be concerned with though when it comes to your post-workout appearance is a beet red face.

Don't be alarmed. That ruby-red flush is just a sign that you're working hard and building up heat. When your temperature begins to rise, your smart little body perspires to keep itself cool, but it also dilates the blood vessels in your skin to reduce your body temperature (aka vasodilation). This circulates blood to your skin's surface so that heat can radiate off of it. So have no fear - your face turns bright red because warm, oxygenated blood rushes to it as a way to prevent you from overheating. This is a good thing and nothing to be worried about.

To learn when a flushed rosy face might be an indication of a problem,

read more. If your red face is coupled with symptoms of feeling exhausted or dizzy, sweating more than normal, or nausea, then it could be a sign of heat exhaustion. You're especially at risk in this hot Summer weather, so if you're experiencing all these symptoms, stop exercising ASAP, get out of the sun, loosen up tight clothing (or remove it all together), and drink plenty of cool water. Tell me, does your face get especially red when you exercise?