BuzzSugar

Buzz News Roundup, 6/29

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:30:44 PDT

Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming will star in the Broadway show Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark, though still no confirmation on who will play Spidey. - Variety
This year's Comic-Con looks to have a record number of TV show panels. - The Hollywood Reporter
Under more new rules for the next Oscars, there might be no Best Original Song nominees. - Variety
Chilli from TLC and Pepa from Salt-n-Pepa are among the latest celebs to snag VH1 shows. - Broadcasting and Cable
Fox's Virtuality got just 1.8 million viewers on Friday. - The Hollywood Reporter
Musicians from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Van Halen have formed a new band called Chickenfoot. - Reuters
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen opened on IMAX with an estimated five-day gross of $14.4 million, the biggest ever for IMAX. - The Hollywood Reporter
Austin-based Arrested Development fans might want to check out this frozen banana stand. - The Decider

TV Tonight: Virtuality

BuzzSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:30:54 PDT

Virtuality, which airs tonight on Fox, was supposed to be Battlestar Galactica producer Ron Moore's next big sci-fi series. But something went wrong along the way: Instead of becoming a high-profile Fox sci-fi series in the mold of The X-Files or even Fringe, Virtuality is airing tonight as a two-hour movie with little hope of continuing on.

Typically, that's the sort of thing that happens when a show just turns out terrible - so it's a little odd that Fox is showing us any part of it. Maybe they're hoping for a big viewer turnout to convince them to make a series after all? Then again, that's not too likely on a Friday in the Summer.

It's a shame, because the premise sounds like it could be intriguing. A dozen astronauts are living aboard Earth's first starship, which is about to embark on a long mission that could be crucial to the future of the planet. In order to keep them from boredom along the way, the ship is equipped with state-of-the-art virtual reality modules, which allow the astronauts to essentially become anyone they want to be. One's a war hero, one's a rock star; the only limit is imagination. There's a problem, though: How can the crew members tell what's real?

That issue is compounded by another: the expedition is also being filmed as a reality series, adding an additional level of scrutiny and Truman Show-esque confusion.

Will this two-hour movie version of Virtuality convince someone to pick it up and make it a series? Or will the story end here? And either way, will you be watching? To check out a couple of clips, just

Battlestar Galactica Producer Imagines Sci Fi Show for Fox

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:30:13 PDT

Ron Moore is his name, science fiction is his game.
Moore, a former Star Trek writer and one of the folks behind Sci Fi's version of Battlestar Galactica, is at it again: He's cooked up a new sci fi pilot called Virtuality that looks like it could land on the Fox schedule next Spring.

What's the story?
The series follows a dozen astronauts who are sent on a mission to find a distant solar system. To keep the astronauts from getting bored during the 10-year voyage, their shuttle is equipped with virtual reality modules that let the astronauts assume different identities and travel to far-off lands. But then a bug is discovered in the system - and one of the astronauts could be responsible.

"Too sci fi" for NBC?
That's the buzz from industry insiders, who say NBC didn't think the show fit its brand. Fox bought it almost immediately, though.

Fox sure is into the sci-fi stuff these days.
The network is also developing Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, JJ Abrams' Fringe, and a comedy called Boldly Going Nowhere about life on a spaceship.

Source

Tips For Building an Effective Online Dating Profile

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:02:33 PST

In this digital age, men and women aren't just hitting bars and coffee shops to snag a date. More and more, they're heading to the Internet. In fact, 50 percent of men have met a woman online according to a recent survey. It's obvious that online dating has become the norm, and for good reason - the Internet gives you more options because you can cover a wider area of partner possibilities (as in, the entire globe). And while your chances are better of finding a compatible mate on the worldwide web than, say, your small town of 13,000 people, the Internet can't help you if you don't give off the right signals. First impressions are everything - even virtual ones. Beef up your online dating profile with these tips, and snag yourself one of those "many fish" your mother is always talking about.

Make sure you're fishing in the right pool -You wouldn't go to Craigslist's Casual Encounters to look for a serious relationship, so don't go to Match.com if you're just looking for a little fun on a Friday night. Sites like eHarmony and Chemistry have had a lot of success by getting scientific about the dating process (taking your likes and dislikes and matching you up with someone who's compatible), so make sure you're ready to commit before diving in!
Lose the negativity - No one wants to meet up with a Debbie Downer, so if your online dating profile is riddled with sarcasm, negativity, and pessimism, you can be sure that you won't be getting many date requests any time soon. This doesn't mean you have to be fake, just keep the "I'm too cool for school" attitude to a minimum.

See a few more tips, including some important dos and don'ts for your profile photos, when you read more

Join Us at the Table For a Virtual Super Bowl Spread!

Susannah Chen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:05:42 PST

Can't wait for the Super Bowl to be here already? Well then you've lucked out, because this year, game day's come early - online, at least. Food Network's brought together some of the country's top food outlets for a virtual Super Bowl spread. From cocktails and appetizers to main dishes and desserts, this meal's got it all - and each recipe is one that you can re-create yourself at home.

Given our recent obsession with all things buffalo, it was only appropriate that we bring a pizza spin on buffalo wings to gobble down at this year's feast. See what the rest of our friends are bringing to the table when you read more.

Chick-a-Dee: A Smoke Detector For Design Fans

Elka Karl — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:47:17 PST

During the New York International Gift Fair this past weekend, bloggers nominated their favorite products, with Evan Orensten from CoolHunting naming the Chick-a-Dee his personal favorite. Designed by artist Louise van der Veld, the Chick-a-Dee smoke detector was developed through a Dutch design contest that aimed to raise raise public awareness of fire hazards in and around the home. Fifty designs were submitted, and the Chick-a-Dee smoke detector emerged as the winner thanks to its innovative, unique design and social relevance.

For design lovers, the Chick-a-Dee provides a smoke detector that's a joy to look at in your home - not a liability. And who can argue with a chirping, rather than beeping and screeching, smoke alarm? At the first sign of smoke, the Chick-a-Dee makes the chick-a-dee-dee call of the bird it's named after, with the call's volume increasing and turning into a loud dee-dee-dee sound if smoke thickens.The Chick-a-Dee comes with a battery with a one-and-a-half-year battery life and a three-year warranty.

You can buy one online for around $79 US, or wait until the product hits the virtual and real US shelves this month.

Brilliant or Baffling: Obama Offers to Look Over an Unemployed Engineer's Résumé

Emily Co — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:09:57 PST

President Obama recently hosted a Google+ Hangout, in which several viewers got to directly ask the head of state questions in a virtual forum. Jennifer Wedel, who was against some of Obama's job policies, cited her husband as an casualty - he hasn't been able to find a steady job for three years and has trouble finding work as a semiconductor engineer. The president offered to take a look at his résumé and apparently followed through, according to Wedel. Her husband has already been contacted by recruiters after the White House deputy chief of staff, Alyssa Mastromonaco, sent the résumé out to contacts in the area where the couple lives. What do you think of Obama's move - was it nice of him to offer or is it just baffling?

Labor Pains: 7 Ways to Ease the Pain of Labor

BabyCenter — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:37:43 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 Nancy Johnson Horn about tips for easing labor pain.

I remember going into labor over 6 years ago with my first child. When my water broke 11 days early I couldn’t remember a thing, other than "pick a focus point on the wall" and breathe.

But there’s more you can do to make labor go a little smoother. Recently, I spoke to Hope Garland, an Affiliated Bradley Instructor, www.blossombirth.net, who recommended these amazing tips. So, if you’re weeks or days away from childbirth - don’t panic, just print out (or bookmark it on your smartphone) this post so you can reference it when you go into labor.

Pack in the protein: If you were about to run a long marathon, would you eat only ice chips? No. You need to eat a protein-rich meal. It will give you the stamina needed for labor (plus many hospitals won’t let you eat once you check in anyway). Make a plan to either keep something in the fridge/freezer/cupboard or know where you can go to get your marathon meal.
Don’t fight gravity: Remain upright as long as possible. Walk around or sit up, but don’t lie on your back. (Yes, that’s really me in the pic, before I found out I should be walking around.)
Hydrate thyself: Pack (and use) a water bottle. If you properly hydrate yourself during labor, you’ll increase your energy output by as much as 30%. Also, if you can keep drinking water, you may not need an IV that will really restrict your mobility. That’s when the ice chips and clear liquids can also help.
Breathe using your abdomen: Normal abdominal breathing increases relaxation, which you’re really going to need. Chest and patterned breathing may fool your body into stress mode, and you don’t want that.
Take a virtual chill pill: You’ve got to stay relaxed. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. If music helps, bring a preloaded playlist on your iPod, locate a focal point in the room and breathe. Banish as much negative energy as possible. While it’s not easy, stay as relaxed as you can through contractions – it will let your body do what it’s supposed to do.
Move around during labor: There are a variety of positions for labor. Try to change positions so you’re not in one place for too long. Speak to the nurse about how you can be monitored and still move around. Bring slippers for those lovely grippy hospital socks so you can walk the halls.
Make sure you have support and loving encouragement: Having your husband, partner, or trained birth partner can make a big difference. That support will do more for you than any amount of medication!

Do you have any tips to make labor a little easier? What did or didn’t work for you?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Quantity or quality time: Which matters more?
Five reasons you need the Origami Stroller - now!
The three greatest dangers for baby are . . .
Seven ways to spread the love this Valentine's Day
What do you say to pushy parents?

Source: Flickr User bradleygee

Alec Baldwin Talks His Words With Friends Dustup and Politics in the Press Room

Lindsay Miller — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:48:15 PST

Alec Baldwin made an appearance backstage in the press room at tonight's SAG Awards just after snagging the honor for outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series. True to form, the 30 Rock star wasn't shy about discussing his current political views, and he also made light of his recent in-flight Words With Friends flap. Here are the highlights:

On his opinion of the 2012 primary: "The thing about the campaign that concerns me most is, how is Gingrich going to be able to retract all the things he's said about Romney once he becomes a nominee?"

On why he feels more comfortable sharing political views today vs. when he started out: "What's changed is that, and thankfully what's evolved over time is, there are better forums to give that opinion ... when [I] started, quite frankly, entertainment journalism and these entertainment talk shows were fairly new, and they weren't omnipresent ... and during the time that they've grown, people have had to learn the lesson that that's not the best place to -that you should keep it light. CNN, The Huffington Post, are good places to air those views."

On whether he still is ever afraid to voice his opinions: "I'm still scared to speak out. I want season seven [of 30 Rock] really badly. I want us to come back for another season. When you do speak out, it does cost you. The ones that are the most successful film stars today and have the most potent careers are the ones you know virtually nothing about ... they're very smart to do that."

On whether he's still playing his favorite game: "I am still playing Words With Friends ... but now on Virgin Atlantic."

Case-Mate Gets Ready For Spring

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:56:13 PST

Despite the Winter weather happening all around us, Case-Mate is prepping its virtual shelves for Spring. The Case-Mate Spring 2012 line is coming soon, and if you've got an iPhone 4 or 4S or iPod Touch, you're in for a treat. Check out the lineup in the gallery and stay tuned for pricing and availability info coming soon.