BuzzSugar

Buzz In: What TV/Movie Characters Did You Look Up To?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:30:12 PDT

I don't think about her often anymore, but the news that Danica McKellar (aka. Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years) recently got married reminded me that once upon a time I wanted to be Winnie Cooper. At the time, I'm not even sure it had much to do with the character's personality - I think I just coveted her long, straight hair. But for whatever reason, I thought Winnie Cooper was totally rad. I was also slightly obsessed with Punky Brewster and wished I were as fun and fearless as she seemed to be (when I wore mismatching sneakers, it just looked like a sad mistake).

One of my other major "role models," of sorts, was Chris Parker (Elizabeth Shue) from Adventures in Babysitting. I think more than anything I wanted her to be my babysitter, but I also admired Chris and wanted to be like her - clever, pretty, able to improvise a blues song when need be - when I grew up.

What about you? What characters on TV and in the movies did you think were just the coolest?

Source and source

The Results Are In: Recast The Wonder Years

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:30:40 PDT

Every other Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar T-shirt!

Thanks to all of you who chimed in with suggestions for The Wonder Years, which is a challenging one due to all the young characters. I really like the ideas for Winnie Cooper, including Whip's suggestion of Selena Gomez, and agree I with arienne that Madeline Zima would have been perfect if she were a tad younger.

And then of course there's the all-important Kevin Arnold to recast (it's so hard to think of anyone but Fred Savage in that role!). Nick Jonas, as leeluvfashion suggests, definitely has the right hair for the period and there were several suggestions for Michael Cera which is actually right on in terms of little Kev's neurotic nature.

But as you know, I could only choose one and the winning recast's suggestions for Winnie and Paul totally won me over. Congratulations johnsonkm20!

To see who johnsonkm20 chose, along with a new cast photo,

johnsonkm20's cast list:
Kevin Arnold - Natt Wolff
Paul Joshua Pfeiffer - Alexander Gould
Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper - Anna Sophia Robb
Jack Arnold - Scott Patterson
Norma Arnold - Robin Wright Penn
Karen Arnold - Sara Paxton
Wayne Arnold - Chris Hunter
Mr. Cantwell - Bob Saget

Recast The Wonder Years and Win a Prize!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:30:20 PDT

Every other Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!

Last week there was news that NBC has ordered a pilot by the writer of The Wonder Years that will be similar in tone to the classic dramatic series, except it'll take place in the '80s. So even though it's not a remake, I thought it would be fun to recast Kevin Arnold and gang anyway! I loved this show set in the late '60s/early '70s, and the first few lines of the opening credits song still give me goosebumps.

So, who could possibly play Kevin Arnold, the tween at the heart of the show? What about his nerdy, loyal friend Paul, and his childhood crush (whose hair I wanted so badly!) Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper?

Let's also recast the rest of the Arnold family: Kevin's dad Jack (played with perfect moodiness by Dan Lauria), stay-at-home mom Norma, Kevin's free-spirited sister Karen, and big brother from hell, Wayne. And for kicks, who could play Mr. Cantwell, the junior high school science teacher, famously portrayed by Ben Stein?

Leave your entry in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature Tuesday, Sept. 16, complete with a "new" cast photo.

To see a list of characters to recast and a photo of the BuzzSugar t-shirt,

Characters to recast
Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage)
Paul Joshua Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano)
Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper (Danica McKellar)
Jack Arnold (Dan Lauria)
Norma Arnold (Alley Mills)
Karen Arnold (Olivia d'Abo)
Wayne Arnold (Jason Hervey)
Mr. Cantwell (Ben Stein)

The BuzzSugar t-shirt

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NBC Gets Itself Lost in the '80s With Wonder Years-Style Show

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:35:22 PDT

Imagine The Wonder Years, but with Jordache jeans, mall hair, and music with heavy synthesizers. That's part of what NBC has in mind for its new drama pilot called Lost in the '80s.

The project comes from Bob Brush, who won an Emmy for his writing on The Wonder Years and envisions this pilot as a companion piece to the earlier series - not a remake, just a show with a similar feel set 20 years post-Kevin Arnold. A couple of other notable things about it:

In addition to the Wonder Years tone, the show is being described as Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets The Ice Storm.
Among those who have signed on to produce is Arrested Development's Mitchell Hurwitz.

My first thought was, "Sounds like Freaks and Geeks with a voiceover." But having tossed it around for a while, I think this show could be a great idea. After all, I watched the '60s-set Wonder Years while growing up in the '80s; now, 20 years later, why shouldn't today's tweens get to connect with a next-generation Kevin and Winnie?

Do you think a Wonder Years-style show about the '80s has potential?

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Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:30:51 PDT

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! Name the artist who sings the song used as the theme song for The Wonder Years.
Note: Not the artist(s) who did the original version of the song, but the artist whose version was used for The Wonder Years.
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"The Wonder Years": No Words, All Wonder

GiggleSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:00:00 PDT

Before reality television and trashy prime-time teen dramas, there was "The Wonder Years." Who could resist watching awkward little Kevin pine after Winnie, his chubby-cheeked object of affection? (All together now: "Awww...") But despite tuning in every week, I never noticed the scarcity of dialogue on the show. I guess Kevin was even more awkward than we originally thought! Just watch.

Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:30:00 PDT

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! True or False:
(Just type in either True or False below, no other explanation is necessary)
In "The Wonder Years," Winnie's older brother returns from the Vietnam War with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Buzz Time Machine: Matthew Morrison and Zooey Deschanel in Once Upon a Mattress

Maggie Pehanick — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:47 PDT

Seven years ago, before their starring roles on hit Fox series, in a land far, far away, Matthew Morrison and Zooey Deschanel were just two star-crossed lovers in Once Upon a Mattress. Disney's TV movie production may not have been what catapulted the two to fame toward Glee and New Girl, but we sure are glad this exists in the universe. I'm wondering if this song, "In a Little While," was on Morrison's audition tape for the part of Mr. Schuester.

Bridal Friday Link Time: Diamond Jubilee E-Shoot

Tara Block — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:25:29 PDT

Cheeky inspiration for a Queen Elizabeth II-themed engagement shoot - Glamour
This creative elopement shoot is inspired by Moonrise Kingdom - Green Wedding Shoes
A desert-wonderful wedding topped off with hot-pink Manolo Blahniks - Style Me Pretty
Expectant bride plans fun "flash wedding" - 100 Layer Cake
This 10-year anniversary vow-renewal ceremony has a lot of heart - The Wedding Chicks
Watch the most awkward movie wedding speeches - HuffPost Weddings
Gay-friendly cruises for a same-sex wedding on the water - Equally Wed
Wedding inspiration from the new Great Gatsby movie - The Bride's Guide
Geeky engagement photo shoot ideas - GeekSugar

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.