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John Legend & Stephen Colbert Experience the Joys of Nutmeg

LibertySugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:30:06 PST

Thinking outside the fake-news (gift)box last night, Stephen Colbert premiered A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All. John Legend sang about his love of nutmeg, while Jon Stewart took the opportunity to teach Stephen about Hanukkah with his own serenade. Other guests included Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, Toby Keith, and Feist.

If you missed the union of two of my favorite things in the world - the holiday season and Stephen Colbert - you can buy the DVD or download it on iTunes tomorrow. The soundtrack, sure to join Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey on the list of classic holiday albums, will also go on sale. A portion of the proceeds go to Feeding America. Did you catch Stephen's holiday special?

Holiday Spirit, Courtesy of Stephen Colbert

BuzzSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:30:22 PST

Not surprisingly, given what I do for a living, I often turn to my favorite TV specials (A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Snowman, and A Muppet Family Christmas, among many others) to get me in the holiday spirit. Well, this year, there's a new special on the scene, and it already seems destined to become a seasonal classic.

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All (hee) premieres Sunday at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central and will hit DVD two days later. The skewering of celebrity holiday specials looks hilarious, with special guests ranging from Toby Keith to Elvis Costello to Willie Nelson. Oh, and if it's not obvious from that list, it's a musical!

The songs are the handiwork of Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger and Daily Show producer David Javerbaum, and they include a tune sung by Jon Stewart as he tries to interest Colbert in Hanukkah and a vaguely dirty song about nutmeg courtesy of Colbert and John Legend. Also, Feist appears as an angel, and she sings a song of her own and then joins the whole cast in a rendition of "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding." You setting that DVR yet?

There's actually some good to go along with the funny: a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the DVD and soundtrack (also available on Tuesday, exclusively on iTunes) will go to Feeding America. Hysterical and generous? That's our Colbert. To check out a clip from the show with Stewart and Colbert, just

Flashback: Weirdest Star Wars Holiday Special Ever

GiggleSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:00:00 PDT

Lore has it that this Star Wars holiday tv special was so embarrassingly weird that George Lucas had it pulled almost as soon as it aired. It's so strange, people, that I couldn't wait until the holidays or even the weekend to bring you five minutes of its oddest moments. How odd, you ask? How about Lola Falana showing up in a halo of lavender light to wish you happy holidays? How about the revelation that Chewbacca had a family? And my fave, Bea Arthur of "Maude" fame dancing with drunken aliens down in the coolest dive bar in the galaxy? I think this thing was sponsored by LSD. Warning: You will get a contact high. (Thanks, Yum!)

Rocking Out with "The Office"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 13:52:14 PST

Last week's holiday episode of "The Office" featured so many priceless karaoke moments. Among my favorites were Kevin's deadpan rendition of "You Oughta Know," Angela's thundering take on "Little Drummer Boy," and Kelly's "We belong together ... Ryan!" But this may be the best story of them all: It turns out Creed was singing his own song.

In his other life, Creed Bratton, the actor who plays Creed, is Creed Bratton: Rocker. He was in a group called The Grass Roots in the '60s, and he has since released three solo albums. The song he performed on the show was "Spinnin' N Reelin,'" from his album The 80's. You can hear a clip of the song - or even buy the whole album - here.

I can't get over how much more exuberant Creed sounds on the recorded clip than he did on the show. I think of him as the gross old curmudgeon who steals toys from needy children, so the bright guitars and synth-heavy beats on his album just crack me up.

Meanwhile, John Mayer talks about his decision to let Michael Scott have his way with "Your Body is a Wonderland." In exchange for letting the show use his song for the Karaoke party, Mayer asked for a Dundie Award.

The Office Recap: "A Benihana Christmas"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:28:13 PST

In last night's one-hour holiday episode of "The Office," Michael learns that it's always bros before ho-ho-ho's. This was the perfect holiday episode, touching on all of the ongoing stories for each character. There's not too much drama that you're left crying (remember "Casino Night"?), and every joke is on-key for each of the characters.

The show opens with Dwight hauling in a dead goose and plopping it down on Pam's desk: "Don't worry, she's dead. No wait... he's dead. I accidentally ran over it. It's a Christmas miracle!" After some argument, Tobey convinces Dwight to put the goose in his car.

Michael enters, riding his old bike with a bow on it. After greeting Pam with, "I would like a slice of Christmas Pam, side of candied Pams and perhaps some Pam chops, with mint," Michael proceeds to place his old bike in the pile of gifts for needy children.

In his office, Michael reveals that he's bought tickets for a Sandals vacation in Jamaica for himself and his girlfriend, Carol. She soon comes into the office, however, and asks Michael why he Photoshopped his face over her ex-husband's face in an old family photo, creating a Christmas card featuring Carol, her kids, and Michael's face on Carol's ex's body. Jim calls this a "bold move." After some bumbling explanation on Michael's part, Carol breaks up with him.

Meanwhile, Pam tells Jim about her Christmas gift to him: She's been sending Dwight letters from "the CIA," and she tells Jim that he can be the one to decide what Dwight's "top-secret mission" should be. Jim says he thinks he shouldn't be doing these kinds of pranks anymore, "because of the promotion," though it's clear he also thinks he shouldn't be in cahoots with Pam when he's dating Karen. But that's only a taste of the drama, so

read more Michael, newly dumped, declares that Christmas is canceled, prompting the following exchange:

Stanley: "You can't cancel a holiday." Michael: "Keep it up Stanley, and you'll lose New Year's." Stanley: "What does that mean?" Michael: "Jim, take New Year's away from Stanley."

Meanwhile, during the meeting for the Party Planning Committee, Angela shoots Karen's ideas and then kicks her out of the Committee. Feeling bad for Karen, Pam befriends her, and the two form their own Committee to Plan Parties. They tell everyone that they will be having a more fun party, with margaritas, karaoke, and a raffle. There are several shots of Jim looking nervous and uncomfortable about Karen and Pam are getting so chummy, which is oddly satisfying Andy, in his continuous efforts to brownnose, takes Michael to Benihana's for a cheering-up lunch, and Jim and Dwight come alone. This is when Michael declares:

"Bros before ho's! Why? Because your bros are always there for you. They have got your back after your ho rips your heart out for no good reason. And you were nothing but great to the ho, and you told her that she was the only ho for you and that she was better than all the other ho's in the world, and then... then suddenly she is not your ho no mo'."

It's war of the holiday parties back at the office. Pam and Karen start their party 15 minutes earlier than Angela's is scheduled to begin. When Angela calls Dwight at Benihana's to see if she can get permission to start her party early, Dwight exhibits a rare moment of rebellion, and tells her to go ahead, without consulting Michael first. Pam lures Meredith with the promise of vodka, while Kevin goes to Angela's party for the brownies and cupcakes. Most everyone ends up at Pam and Karen's more fun party, where Roy and Pam are getting along so sweetly, it's almost like they're flirting again. Can I just say that Roy looks hot for once? What happened to him? His body looks more trim, and the beard is really working. Okay, I'm done. At Benihana's, Michael and Andy decide to invite some of the waitresses back to the office party. When the two walk in with their waitress companions, Angela demands, "Where's Dwight?" Michael's waitress asks, "Is he the hot one or the giant baby?" "The giant baby," Michael says quietly. Pam and Karen reconcile with Angela and suggest merging the two parties. Suddenly, Angela is able to locate the power strip needed for the karaoke machine, and we are treated to Kevin's rendition of Alanis Morrisette's "You Oughta Know." The Pam-and-Jim thing continues, as Pam watches Jim and Karen exchange gifts and then hug, and Jim watches Pam and Roy exchange gifts and then hug. Looks of longing all around, as it should be. Of course, many viewers are rooting for Pam and Jim, but if the writers give us their relationship too soon it could prove disappointing. It's more enjoyable to keep getting these little moments heavy with feeling to let the anticipation build. In true clueless Michael fashion, he can't keep straight which Benihana's waitress is which. Finally, the two women decide to leave, and Michael tells "his" waitress, "I like you. So much I'd like you to accompany me on a Sandals trip to Jamaica." She responds, "Nah. I have school," and wheels away Michael's old bike. Soon after, Michael admits to Jim that he'd marked the arm of "his" waitress so he wouldn't confuse them. Jim then makes a speech about rebound girls that clearly parallels his own experiences with Pam and Karen:

"You just had a rebound... Which, don't get me wrong, can be a really fun distraction. But when it's over you're left thinking about the girl you really like. The one that broke your heart."

As the episode wraps up, Michael is on the phone, asking a mystery person to go on the Sandals trip with him. Oscar and his partner walk into the party, see Angela singing "Little Drummer Boy," prompting Oscar to say, "Too soon," and they leave. And Jim tells Pam about the CIA prank he'd decided to play on Dwight. In the last scene, Dwight is on the roof, awaiting a helicopter when he gets a text message: "You have been compromised. Abort mission. Destroy phone." He throws the phone off the roof and hurries away.

TV Tonight: The O.C., "Chrismukk-huh?"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:27:43 PST

If you're looking for some good over-the-top holiday TV, I highly recommend tonight's special holiday episode of "The O.C.," titled "Chrismukk-huh?" I was lucky enough to screen an advanced copy of this episode, and it's truly entertaining. I don't want to reveal too much, but I will say that the premise will be somewhat familiar to fans of It's a Wonderful Life and that somehow, "The O.C." manages to pull this off with minimal hokiness.

Even though I haven't been loving "The O.C." lately, this year's Chrismukkah special gives me hope that the show is returning to its early brilliance. If you agree, check out this petition to save "The O.C." on the Fox web site, where fans can pledge their allegiance:

"I promise to cancel dinner dates, skip night school classes, trade shifts with a co-worker, walk the dog after dinner and do whatever else is necessary to ensure that I am on my couch each and every Thursday night at 9 p.m. Or 8 central."

3 Sexy Valentine's Day Dates to Keep You Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:32:16 PST

Valentine's Day is always a good excuse to heat things up, and there's always a healthy, fun, and sexy way to celebrate the love-filled day, whether you're spending the holiday with friends or that special someone!

Girls Night Out: Pole Dancing Class
A pole dancing class is a frisky way for friends to celebrate Valentine's Day together. It's a little intimidating to swing around a pole while also letting out your sexier side, but when doing it with a group of your favorite girlfriends, it becomes easier. Besides being a great excuse to get together, this dance-inspired workout will help you tap into your sensual side while also helping tone muscles, firm the body, and increase flexibility. Once class is over, head out together for a glass of heart-healthy wine.

Group Date: Salsa Dancing
If a perfect date night for you involves getting together with other couples, charge things up by going salsa dancing. Besides being an easy way to burn calories, salsa is like flirting on the dance floor. From the rhythmic Latin beats to all that hip shaking, things are guaranteed to get hot. Don't be afraid to switch things up during the night. It's almost expected that you'll dance with different partners while out for a night of salsa dancing.

For You and Him: Couples Massage . . .
If you're going the traditional route and spending Valentine's Day with that special someone, indulge by getting a couple's massage. It will help you both relax, offer relief from stress, and ease muscle soreness that comes from exercise or the demands of the day. From there, cook a healthy dinner together and don't forget to get physical - and not at the gym! Valentine's Day is a good excuse to be intimate with your partner, especially given all the health benefits of having sex.

COCOCOZY's Gardenia-Scented Candle Arrives Just in Time for Valentine's Day!

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:00:56 PST

We know her as Coco, the voice behind the delightful design blog and shop, COCOCOZY. Aside from offering an incredibly chic assortment of textiles, bedding, pillows, and vintage finds, the COCOCOZY shop offers fragrant, all-natural, biodegradable soy wax candles in three scents: beach, citrus, and flower. Hand poured in the US, the candles are placed in frosted recyclable glass vessels and contain a lead free cotton wick, which boosts their ecological appeal.

If you're searching for a simple and sweet Valentine's Day gift for your mom, sis, or best friend, the gardenia-scented floral candle is available in a limited edition version just for the holiday! Red and white replaces the classic black and white packaging for this special version. Coco just sent one to our office, and after taking it home and burning it for 30 minutes, the intoxicating scent of heady gardenia has infused my entire apartment. And retailing for just over $40, I'm thinking I might need to treat someone else besides my husband this Valentine's Day.

19 Valentine's Day Gifts For Geeks

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:15:05 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't exactly send us into a gift-buying frenzy, but since the holiday is about showing your love for someone special, a little token or trinket doesn't hurt. Looking for some geeky but sweet ideas? Look no further than our list of 19 Valentine's Day gifts for your favorite geek.

Love Stories of Newly Engaged Celebrity Couples

Tara Sharp — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:12 PST

It seemed like every day for the past couple of months a new celebrity couple was getting engaged! The holidays have been good to these twosomes, many of whom are now planning their big days after Christmas and New Year's Eve proposals. Whether they are young or old, have been dating for years or months, have children or are planning to, we're happy to see love in the air! We all love a love story with a happy ending, so let's look at how these couples came to this special moment in their lives.