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American Idol Rundown: The Top 10 Guys

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:37:17 PST

Well, almost everything I knew about American Idol this season is wrong, at least if Tuesday's performances by the top 10 guys are any indication. Several of the favorites had off nights, while those who seemed certain to be out before the Top 12 sounded great. One thing is still certain, though: On the guys' side, David Archuleta seems like the one to beat.

The night's theme was '70s songs (please tell me this means next week will be '80s), and we also learned some fun facts about the top 10 guys along the way . Don't forget to vote for which guys are going home, and to see my take on the night's performances, just

read more. Michael Johns - As if the guy weren't hot enough, now we've seen him play tennis. Sigh. Two things I noticed about his performance of "Go Your Own Way": 1) He seemed a little off on some of the notes, and 2) From certain angles, he looks like a cleaned-up Zach Braff. Randy said he needed to let go, Paula praised him for being consistent, and Simon said it was Michael's weakest performance of the competition. Jason Castro - Fun fact: He's totally awkward in his one-on-one interviews. He came out playing guitar again, and that plus the dreads totally makes him the kid who always has the crowd of hippie girls hanging around him in the middle of the campus quad, if you know what I mean. His "I Just Want to be Your Everything" sounded like two different songs - a beginning and end with him and the guitar, and a long middle with '70s synth and backup singers. I preferred the guitar part. Randy said the guitar was cute but the vocals weren't good, Paula told him to ditch the guitar next time, and Simon harped on the poor song choice. Luke Menard - How did I not see that he's a touring a capella singer? It seems like the most obvious job for him now. After boring me to tears last week, he came out with this crazy, half-falsetto "Killer Queen" that I found oddly captivating to watch. He's self-consciously theatrical on stage, but because he's 29 (and not a teenager, Colton), he pulls it off pretty well. Randy said this seemed like the right song for him, Paula said he had a great week, and Simon slammed him for not living up to Freddie Mercury. Robbie Carrico - He's also a race car driver. How rock n' roll. I've been on the pro-Carrico side till now, but his "Hot Blooded" got all karaoke, and now I suppose I'm one of those doubting his rock cred. He sounded fine, but not any more fine than the singer from the bar band down the street. Randy said he's starting to doubt the rocker thing too, Paula said he played it safe and lost his character in the process, and Simon actually thought his singing was pretty good. Danny Noriega - He apparently sang in a teen punk band, where I bet his neck-snapping skills came in handy. His performance of "Superstar" was certainly better than last week's unmitigated Elvis disaster, but I find him really distracting to watch; every moment and glance toward the camera seems calculated. Randy said he was thinking too much, Paula wants him to be himself, and Simon liked that he stands out in a crowd. David Hernandez - Did you hear those whoops from the crowd when he said he used to be a gymnast? His "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" kept the crowd in it: He sounded good, the arrangement was cool, and he was a more believable rocker than, say, Carrico. Randy announced that David was back, Paula said his voice was pure, and Simon praised David for responding well to criticism. Then David got all cute and dancey and nearly throttled Seacrest. I think I love him now. Jason Yeager - His fun fact: He plays a lot of instruments. None on stage, though. Apparently this song was called "Long Train Running" (I've just always known it as that "without looo-o-ov-ove" song), and everything I said before about Carrico sounding like a bar band singer goes triple for Jason. He ended with all this weird dancing, which made me laugh. Randy called it karaoke, Paula said he needed to pick "singer songs," and Simon called it "awkward and ordinary." Chikezie - After last week's hideous orange suit, he came out looking very Sesame Street in bright blue and green polo shirts. He sang "I Believe to My Soul," working his name into it, letting loose at the end, making good use of the background singers, and basically tearing it up in every way possible. Get down with your bad self, Chikezie. Randy whooped that Chikezie is back, Paula called it brilliant, and Simon praised him for looking and sounding better than last week, which apparently doesn't mean he's properly learned to say the guy's name. David Cook - David's word-nerdiness almost makes up for his bad hair. He's also rocking the guitar, to the point that I was more impressed with his guitar playing than his singing. That said, he did sound better than I expected from him, especially on the a capella part of "All Right Now." Randy calls him the real rocker, Paula says he's got "it," but Simon criticized his lack of charisma. David Archuleta - So I was really, really nervous when I heard he'd be singing "Imagine." That's one of those songs you just can't mess with, you know? But David doesn't mess. It's a very different interpretation of the song, not a Lennon copy at all, and it lets him do a lot of interesting, show-offy things with his voice. Randy said it's one of the best vocals he's heard on the show ever, Paula said she wants him to be her car ornament (?), and Simon said he's now the one to beat - male or female. My favorites: Chikezie, David Archuleta, David Hernandez, and, actually, Luke. Should be worried: The Jasons (Yeager and Castro). Michael Johns and Robbie Carrico are probably safe, but this should be a warning to step it up. Going home: I think Jason Yeager is out. The second spot is the tough one, because many of the night's worst performances came from popular people. I'm actually going out on a limb to say Luke probably didn't do enough and will be the other one headed home. Photos courtesy of Fox

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

Where Are All The Sensitive Men Hiding? These 10 Cities!

YourTango — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:11:27 PST

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango.

Do you keep meeting disappointing men? The ones who seem so promising at first, but then end up never calling you, or worse - promising you the world and then breaking your heart? Perhaps you're attracting the wrong guys because you're not asking for what you want. Or maybe you have a thing for "bad boys" - you think you can tame 'em (hint: This almost never works). Could it be a stroke of bad luck? Well, a recent Chemistry.com poll says you may just be living in the wrong city.

Just in time for today's launch of their new blog - which will feature monthly posts from YourTango - Chemistry.com reveals the nation's Top Ten Cities to Find a Sensitive Man. Using their data based on the personality types of American singles, they pinpointed the cities with the highest concentrations of softies - uh, we mean, gallant gentlemen. We weren't sure what to do with these findings, as they seemed a bit random. Staten Island? Living in New York, we beg to differ on this one (sorry, Situation). Here's what Chemistry.com's chief scientific advisor, Dr. Helen Fisher had to say about these findings:

"Men do have a sensitive side. They want to please. But different men do it differently; and these 10 cities are packed with a certain kind of man, what I call BUILDERS - men who express a constellation of personality traits linked with the serotonin system in the brain. Sensitive men, known as builders, are traditional. They deeply value loyalty, duty, respectability and proper moral conduct. They want to do the 'right' thing. So builders go way out of their way to keep their social relationships running smoothly. So they watch, listen, and gauge what they need to do to help others and they do it naturally. It's these chivalrous qualities that make a sensitive man."

Here is the list of Top 10 Cities to Find a Sensitive Man:

Pompano Beach, Florida
Roanoke, Virginia
West Hollywood, California
Nashville, Tennessee
Buffalo, New York
Sarasota, Florida
Greenville, South Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Indianapolis, Indiana

Written by Natalie Gontcharova for YourTango.

Link Time - Ryan Gosling Has a Drunk Christmas

TresSugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:37:00 PST

Watch Ryan Gosling in Drunk History Christmas story video - BuzzSugar
The top farts of 2011 - The Frisky
Three New Year's cocktails to mix for your date - YourTango
Politicians, athletes, and actors who made us say "wow!" in 2011 - CollegeCandy
How to get through the holidays without killing each other - Huffington Post
What guys really want for the holidays (no shopping required) - Glamour
10 rules for surviving the holidays with your in-laws - Em & Lo
Why rappers are speaking out in support of gay pride - The Daily Beast
Justin Bieber and more celebrities in ugly sweaters - theBERRY
Did Eva Peron have a lobotomy? - Newser

Your Guide to Enjoying a Money-Less Weekend

Emily Co — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:05:17 PST

I know what you must be thinking, how in the world am I supposed to not spend any money this weekend? And no, you don't have to stay in all weekend, isolated, watching Law & Order reruns, and eating scraps from your fridge (although a leftovers party is a fun idea!). Here are some exciting free things to do this weekend.

Take a Hike: There's nothing like a walk to clear the mind and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Make plans to take a walk in a park or go to hiking trails nearby. It's also a great way to wind down from the hectic work week you had - scientists found that viewing bits of greenery is really good for relaxation. Having gone away on a weekend recently to greener pastures, I can truly attest to that!
Free Apps Galore: Use the downtime this weekend by exploring the apps world and taking advantage of all the free apps available. I'm seriously loving some I recently downloaded on the phone, and I'm going to use the free time to look for more. My favorite ones that help me save money include KiK Messenger for free texting, Tip and Split for easy tip calculations, and Cheap Gas!, an app that looks for the cheapest gas rates near you. My other freebie favorites: Casa's home decorating apps and Geek's top 10 free iPad apps.
Animal Time: I don't have my own pets here with me, but I love animals. I spend my days cooing over the adorable pictures over at PetSugar, but sometimes pictures aren't enough. Get your animal fix by either offering to pet sit for a friend or volunteering at an animal shelter.

For more fun free stuff to do this weekend, read on!

10 Ways We Could Use Some Tough Love

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:00:31 PST

Steve Ward is a handsome, strong-willed dude from Philly, who is definitely not your average matchmaker. On his VH1 show Tough Love Miami, Steve takes a no-nonsense approach when it comes to helping women find true love. He sets up a "dating boot camp," designed to break down the women's barriers about love. Steve sets the girls up on dates to see where they need real help and find them the man they've been looking for. Steve's brand of tough love may seem a little brutal, but each week that I'm glued to the screen, I find that the girls are experiencing real progress. Here are 10 solid pieces of tough love from the man behind Tough Love Miami, Steve Ward.

"When it comes to letting a guy know you're interested, it's not just what you say, but how you say it. Or show it." Body language and nonverbal communication are just as important as what comes out of your mouth. It's important to be conscious of the vibe you're putting out from the way you carry yourself.
"There's flirting. And then there's moving way too fast." There's no reason to come out guns blazing if you have any sort of attraction for a man. Take things slow. Try your best to have an objective eye. Let things happen naturally, and don't lead someone on just for the hell of it.
"For many women, texting is a habit that can not only get out of control, it can turn a man off in no time." Steve dedicates a whole episode of Tough Love Miami to "Dating in the Digital Age." Steve hands all the girls cellphones and tells them they can communicate with their dates before they meet the following day. The experiment only proves that these women rely way too much on texting. Steve says if a man doesn't respond to a text, it's not an excuse to text him a million times before he responds. Have some self control!
"Let me make my point: men hate this sh*t, OK? When you're communicating with a man over a text message, or email, or other any type of ecommunication, use words and grammar." Steve says drop the acronyms like LOL and LMAO. Lay off the exclamation points and stop with all the emoticons. Men are just not into it.
"It's OK to have preferences, but even your preferences have to be realistic." Every single lady has got her list of deal breakers. Steve urges the women in boot camp to recognize that no one is perfect and to let go of these random preconceived notions about what her ideal match looks like. Love comes where you least expect it, but you've got to be open to the possibilities for that to happen.

Keep reading for more reasons we could benefit from Steve Ward's tough love.

My 10 Top Picks From Fab.com's 100 Gifts Under $100 Sale

Elka Karl — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:35:44 PDT

Even when we're operating on a smaller budget, we want to find gifts with great style. Luckily, Fab.com just launched its 100 Best Design Gifts Under $100 sale, which means you can find fantastic designs at an affordable price point. From housewares to jewelry and much more, you're sure to find something for the design-savvy guy or gal on your holiday list. Open until Dec. 20, all items ship instantly from Fab.com's warehouse and are guaranteed to arrive to you before the holidays.

Keep reading for a look at my top 10 home decor gifts from the sale, and if you like what you see, friend us on Facebook to learn about a special offer from Fab.com.

Link Time: How to Wake Up Looking Hot

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:19 PDT

10 ways to look better in the morning - InStyle
Winter beauty survival: experts weigh in - The Fashion Spot
Trick out your nails with "Harlequin Hardware" - Stylelist
Would you spend $4,000 to make your hands and feet look younger? - Afrobella
3 easy steps to a perfect home blow-dry - Real Simple
How long does it take for the excitement of a new beauty purchase to wear off? - Temptalia
Are you on board with polish for guys? - Refinery 29
Top 10 Fall fragrances for 2011 - Now Smell This
Jack-o-lantern nails - The Nailphile

Ashton Kutcher Gives Us 10 Reasons to Watch Two and a Half Men

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:51:45 PDT

We got to see Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men mode last night for the first time, as he and his costars Angus T. Jones and Jon Cryer read off the top 10 list for The Late Show With David Letterman. Broadcasting live via satellite from the set, the guys presented "The Top 10 Reasons to Watch the New Season of Two and a Half Men." Though the intro is a little awkward, most of the list is cute - it includes references to Ashton's Dude, Where's My Car? as well as fellow CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Check it out, and tell us if you're planning on tuning in when Ashton makes his debut!

The View's Hairstylist Talks Fall Trends

Jaime Richards — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:04:13 PDT

Emmy Award-winning hairstylist and licensed makeup artist Lavette Slater has been working behind the scenes at The View for the past 10 years. Along the way, she has created stylish coiffures for not just the on-air staff but the guests as well, including Michelle Obama, Glenn Close, and Hillary Clinton. As you can imagine, Slater has some great stories to share. So to see some of her backstage beauty anecdotes, along with her Fall trends forecast, be sure to keep reading.