BuzzSugar

Mindy Kaling, Kristen Wiig, and More Launch Strike.tv

BuzzSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:32:02 PDT

Well, at least one good thing came out of last Winter's writers' strike. This week brought the launch of Strike.tv, a venture for comedy writers to put their own content on the Web without the interference of networks. (Think Dr. Horrible, but with even more people involved.)

Several of the web series are up now, including one called House Poor starring The Office's Mindy Kaling as a new homeowner who will stop at nothing (er, not even faking a pregnancy) to set up her dream house. Kaling also pops up in Global Warming, a series starring Kristen Wiig and The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi as two coworkers and possible lovers connected only by their online tech support chats. There's lots more to come; check out the whole list.

Not only is it good content, but it also has a good cause: Its ad revenue benefits the Actors Fund's Entertainment Assistance Program, which distributes money to Hollywood workers (camera crews, set decorators, carpenters, etc.) hurt by the writers' strike and the threat of an actors' strike. This year, the fund has already given $1.3 million dollars in aid. So, get clicking!

The shows will also appear on YouTube and other video sites. To check out the first episode of House Poor, just

Teen Sexting Not so Popular After All

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:36:43 PST

Stories of rampant teen sexting have filled TV shows and cable news channels for so many years now that you'd think it's the main use of cell phones in the demographic. Not so, says a new study from the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, which interviewed over 1,500 10- through 17-year-olds on their use of suggestive texting.

The survey shows that a smaller portion of teens - two and a half percent - have sent nude or nearly nude pics, which is in striking contrast to a previous study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy that claimed 20 percent of teens have sent explicit images. The parameters for "nearly nude" pictures included teens in bathing suits or underwear in suggestive poses. Along with the raw data, the newer study bears an important distinction, adult teens - those 18 and 19 - were specifically not included in the study since their use of sexting provocative pictures is not considered a crime of child pornography.

The university hopes to make their data figures widely known to show that despite what may appear in the media, sexting is not the norm for minor teens. Spreading the word that most of their peers do not send racy photos of themselves may prevent teens from the potential embarrassment and emotional pain that 21 percent of teens are said to have felt after sexting.

Do you agree with this new study that teen sexting is not as popular as it's been depicted in the past?

Let's Have a Parade! Behind the Scenes at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:36:13 PST

Strike up the band; the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is ready to go! A time-honored tradition for many families, the nationally televised parade is the perfect mode of entertainment for multiple generations who've gathered together for the holiday. This is the 85th year Macy's has put on the parade that winds its way through New York City, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. With 15 gigantic balloons - including new friends such as Paul Frank's Julius, the Aflac duck, and a new character created by Tim Burton, as well as longtime favorites like Kermit the Frog, Mickey Mouse, and Spider-Man - 27 floats, 800 clowns, and 1,600 cheerleaders, there's plenty to entertain fidgety tots.

I got a behind-the-scenes look at the helium-filled wonders tonight, as their handlers - the large balloons require up to 100 handlers each! - got them ready for their moment in the spotlight. Under the direction of a new grand marshal, the parade gets underway bright and early on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't plan to be one of the 3.5 million people who line the streets to watch the festivities pass by, check out my sneak peek at the fan-favorite balloons, and then tune into NBC to see just how high they fly!

Hugh Grant Welcomes a Daughter!

Lauren Turner — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:45 PDT

Hugh Grant is a father! But who's the mother? - People
Does Justin Bieber let Selena Gomez touch his hair? - Lainey Gossip
The ridiculous numbers surrounding Kim Kardashian's divorce - Jezebel
A Glee star's terrible family tragedy - Huffington Post
Kris Jenner can't stop promoting the Kardashian brand - D-Listed
Adele strikes a pose for Cosmopolitan - JustJared
James Franco will appear at NYC's performing arts festival - Hollywood Reporter
Amanda Seyfried is back in tiny shorts - Hollywood Tuna
More details on Madonna's new album - Pink Is the New Blog
Was Reggie Bush the cause for Kim and Kris's split? - The Superficial
There are some seriously talented teens on TV - The Daily Beast
Jenny McCarthy is how old?! - TooFab
LeAnn Rimes went white trash for Halloween - Amy Grindhouse

6 Little Instant Health Boosts

Prevention — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:42:05 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Minor moves that offer major benefits for your mind and body
By Alyssa Shaffer, Prevention

Brush and Floss
Health boost: Cut risk of head and neck cancer by 400 Percent

Take good care of your smile and you'll have more than just white teeth to show for it. New research from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, shows that people with the chronic gum disease periodontitis have a fourfold risk of developing a type of head or neck cancer (which makes up about 5 percent of all malignancies in the United States), especially in the mouth and throat. The risk was increased even among patients who never used tobacco. Gum disease occurs when the bacteria that live in plaque infect the gums, so brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup.

16 Amazingly Easy Ways to Dramatically Improve Well-being

Hide Your TV Remote
Health boost: Whittle 2 inches from your belly

When switching TV stations, put down the remote, get up, and do it manually. An Australian study found that people who did the greatest amount of light activity during otherwise sedentary behavior, such as watching TV, had 16 percent smaller waist circumferences than those who were inclined to stay put. Even the simple act of getting up and walking around for a minute or so was enough to make a difference, regardless of whether they had a regular workout schedule.

They also had lower body mass indexes and triglyceride and glucose levels, all of which are associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. More ways to break up an otherwise inactive day: Stand up every time the phone rings at your desk; take the long way back to your desk after a bathroom break; do some stretches before reading a new e-mail.

Super Secrets For a Trim Tummy

Doodle During Work Meetings
Health boost: Improve memory by 29 Percent

People who doodled while listening to a recorded message had nearly one-third better recall of the details than those who didn't draw, according to a study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology. "Doodling acts as a buffer against daydreaming," explains researcher Jackie Andrade, PhD, a professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in England. "It provides just enough distraction to stop you from drifting off, but you can still focus on what is being said."

Find more ways to boost your health after the break.

Pilot Scoop: 2 Broke Girls

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:33:50 PDT

The new TV season is chock full of familiar faces, and CBS's new comedy Two Broke Girls is no exception. Kat Dennings moves from the silver screen to the small screen, but brings along her signature sarcasm in this new series from executive producers Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City) and Whitney Cummings, which premieres tonight.

What it's about: Kat Dennings plays Max, a sassy Brooklynite working at a greasy-spoon diner in Williamsburg. When a prissy, down-on-her-luck rich girl joins her (Beth Behrs), the girls strike up an odd couple-style friendship. It's not long before Max and Caroline are living together and saving up for a business of their own.
Where it works: Dennings's acid tongue brings just the right amount of sarcasm to keep the sitcom edgy, and newcomer Behrs holds her own as spoiled but scrappy Caroline. The dynamic between them is fun to watch and the setting makes for hilarious hipster jokes aplenty.
Where it doesn't: Some of the supporting characters are a little too stereotypical (e.g., Max babysits for a rich Manhattan woman with twins named Brad and Angelina), and some of the jokes are trying too hard to push the envelope (there are jabs at both Stephen Hawking and Duke University).
You might like this show if: You're a fan of Dennings, or you're looking for the perfect show to keep the laughs going after How I Met Your Mother.
When it's on: Mondays at 8:30 p.m.

Watch a preview when you

Lauren Conrad's Dress Code Tips For the Business Professional

Lauren Conrad — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:30:14 PDT

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with LaurenConrad! The TV personality, writer, designer, and style maven started LaurenConrad.com, a social networking site that features daily posts by Lauren on all of our favorite topics - fashion, beauty, food, party planning - and Lauren will be sharing her latest fashion finds with Fab every month. This month, Lauren's got the perfect answer to your business dress code questions.

To kick off my Dress Coding series, today I’ll be cracking the code behind “business professional” dress, also known as “business formal.”
If you’re a fashionable girl working in a buttoned-up, ultra conservative world, dressing professionally is an absolute must. Unfortunately, professional settings are not exactly friendly to the fashion forward. Luckily, you can maintain a level of style by working in fashionable elements through subtle accessories and chic silhouettes.
Business professional attire for women is very similar to what men are expected to wear: The Power Suit. No, this doesn’t mean you have to wear a boxy jacket, pinstripe pants and a tie… Instead, opt for a slim cut pantsuit, a skit and jacket combination, or a structured (and modest) dress.
Keep reading . . .

Claire Danes Transitions From Emmy Winner to Homeland Star

Katie Henry — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:32:28 PDT

Claire Danes strikes a bold pose for the latest issue of Emmy Magazine, the official publication of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which hits newsstands Sept. 13. Claire went on a winning streak during last year's awards season that began with her outstanding lead actress in a miniseries Emmy win for her role in Temple Grandin. She went on to earn a Golden Globe and SAG statue for her performance. Claire's now tackling a new cable project, playing a CIA officer in Showtime's series Homeland. Claire shares with the magazine about portraying a covert agent, kissing Jared Leto on My So-Called Life, and her childhood acting dreams. Here's more:

Claire on her childhood ambitions: "I wanted to be on stage. Then I discovered that actors typically don't make much money, so I decided I'd be a therapist and live in the suburbs next door to my best friend."
Claire on preparing to kiss her My So-Called Life costar Jared Leto: "Kiss his face? How do I kiss his face?"
Claire comparing CIA officers to actors: "I'm speaking in an assuming way, but the CIA, they do play roles all the time. And they do have to forge intimacy easily with strangers. And they are con men. And, you know, they actually create characters. But that's kind of where the comparisons end. The work they do is for real and the work we do is in fantasy."

Reasons Your House Is Making You Fat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:42:47 PDT

You're dieting and exercising like a champ, but the pounds won't come off. It sounds odd, but your home may be a reason the scale isn't budging. If you spend a lot of time at home, take into consideration these ways it may be contributing to weight gain.

Open floor plan: I love an open floor plan, but it does make it easier to lounge on the couch, see a commercial for sizzling pizza, and walk five feet to the refrigerator. Instead of visiting the kitchen all throughout the day, create an eating schedule for yourself to help avoid mindless eating. If it's impossible to avoid the kitchen, portion out a small snack for yourself rather than eating directly from the box or bag that it came in.
Hidden exercise equipment: When a treadmill is being used as a clothesline or collecting dust in the basement, it's a sign that it hasn't been used in a while (I'm guilty of that - guess whose treadmill is pictured to the right?). Instead, make sure fitness equipment is easily accessible by setting up an area devoted to working out. Stock it with free weights, a yoga mat, and a TV with some exercise DVDs to inspire you to burn calories.
Kitchen cabinets filled with easily accessible junk: If the easiest snack to grab is a bag of chips or just-baked chocolate chip cookies, it's more tempting to grab them when hunger strikes. Make healthy snacks more likely to happen by preparing nutritious bites ahead of time. Keep containers of diced melon, carrot sticks and hummus, ants on a log, and cheese and crackers in the fridge. Not only are these snacks healthy, but they're also in perfect portion sizes so you're less likely to overeat.

Keep reading to find out more ways your house is making you fat.

Why Can't the Public Treat Monica Lewinsky Like Bill Clinton?

Annie Scudder — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:00:46 PDT

He was nearly 50. She was only 22. He was a powerful man who should have known better. She was just an intern. Yet, no one seems to remember Bill Clinton's indiscretions in the Oval Office while Monica Lewinsky's name is forever connected to the sex scandal.

Other women have overcome sex scandals to win the attention, if not complete admiration, of Americans. Kim Kardashian had a sex tape, but we've come to also associate her name with her TV shows, perfumes, and a fashion line. Monica, now 38, hasn't made the transition; although, she tried her hand at endorsing handbags and Jenny Craig. The spotlight was harsh to Monica, so perhaps she decided to avoid it after such public humiliation. But 13 years after the scandal broke - that's right, 13! - Monica is still not safe from tabloid takedowns, the latest one calling her a "social pariah" who can't get her projects off the ground or find a man. No mention of the fact that Monica lived in London for a while and got a masters in social psychology.

Meanwhile, the latest news on 65-year-old Bill Clinton centers around his newfound vegan lifestyle or charity work. As a former and successful president, Bill Clinton's legacy surely encompasses much more than the poor judgement he displayed with Monica, but it's striking how Bill's image has completely survived the scandal while Monica's has been completely dominated by it. Why do you think her public image seems so frozen in time?