by Mike Krumboltz
There are troublemakers and then there are troublemakers. The first group rolls through stop signs. The second type spends their spare time planning to overthrow the government.
Should you fall into the second category and happen to live in South Carolina, you'll find you'll have to register with the very government you plan to overthrow.
Adding insult to injury, subversives also have to pay a $5 fee, or face a fine of $25,000 and a decade in jail. We saw the story on The Raw Story and felt it too good not to pass along. Troublemakers, you have been warned.
by Mike Krumboltz
Remember those quizzes you had on the state capitals back in junior high? Oh, the pressure! The temptation to write "Pierre, Olympia, Dover, Albany" on the inside of your hand was overwhelming, wasn't it? But you resisted. Maybe Sarah Palin should have done the same.
The former vice presidential candidate seems to have been caught using curious crib notes during an interview this past weekend at the high-profile Tea Party Convention in Nashville. While speaking about her top political priorities, Ms. Palin gazed at her hand in a rather suspicious manner.
Later, Web researchers zoomed in on her left palm and found the following words scrawled in black ink: "Energy, Budget cuts (with "budget" crossed out), Tax, Lift American Spirits." In an ironic twist during the speech, Ms. Palin worked in a jab against President Obama's often-mocked use of TelePrompTers. You can watch the clip below or check out a close-up here.
Following the flap, the Web went wild. Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC mocked Ms. Palin by relying on her own crib notes to recap highlights from Palin's appearance. Her keynote speech, it should be noted, had the crowd on its feet. "Run, Sarah, run," the crowd chanted (as in "please run for president in 2012").
But palm-gate wasn't the only bit of news sparked by Palin. Her defense of Rush Limbaugh's use of the word "retards" raised eyebrows, as well. On Fox News Sunday, the anti "r-word" crusader contended that Limbaugh had used the word in the context of political humor and satire. Earlier in the week, the difference between her angry reaction to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's use of the "slur" and a more restrained response to Limbaugh's made from some awkward fallout. Web searches on "sarah palin on fox news" and "palin limbaugh" have both surged as the controversy swirled.
Sarah's husband, Todd Palin, has also been back in the news. The self-proclaimed former "first dude" of Alaska was revealed to be quite active in state business. According to recently uncovered emails, Todd Palin was "involved in a judicial appointment, monitored contract negotiations with public employee unions, received background checks on a corporate CEO, added his approval or disapproval to state board appointments and passed financial information marked 'confidential' from his oil company employer to a state attorney."
by Claudine Zap
Our top picks from the day's hottest searches.
- Bourbon Street cam (Searches increased by +3,137%). If you can't be in New Orleans to celebrate the Super Bowl victory in person, you can always watch from afar.
- Kim Kardashian (+761%). The reality star said that watching her running back beau Reggie Bush win the Super Bowl was like "everything you see in a movie." Except, real!
- Focus on the Family (+750%). The conservative Christian organization sponsored a pro-life Super Bowl ad that scored pre-game buzz.
- Sarah Palin (+668%). The former Alaska governor said she wouldn't rule out a 2012 presidential run. Democrats, consider yourselves warned.
- Weekend box office (+313%). The low-budget chick flick "Dear John" bested the high-tech epic "Avatar" in weekend ticket sales.
by Mike Krumboltz
Watching the Super Bowl ads is as much a tradition as the game itself. During this year's contest, a few interesting trends emerged. There were commercials focusing on what it means to "be a man" as well as a couple of ads with too many tighty-whiteys (don't worry, we'll explain). A slew of big names like Coca-Cola, Budweiser, and Doritos all brought their A-game, but some of the lesser-known brands were buzzier...
Old Celebs Bring the Thunder
Move over, Budweiser. Snickers may have had the buzziest commercial of the day. Betty White, the former "Golden Girl," plays a game of football and gets slammed to the ground for comedic effect. "Dude," a player moans, "you're playing like Betty White!" The lesson: If you don't want to play like a geriatric Golden Girl, have a Snickers. Check out the clip below...
Doritos lays the smack down
Doritos aired a slew of ads during the big game. The one that stood out starred a little boy who didn't like the idea of a new suitor hitting on his mom. "These are the rules," the kid says. "Keep your hands off my mama, and keep your hands off my Doritos."
CareerBuilder and Dockers
Pants?! We don't need no stinkin' pants! Back-to-back commercials pushed the anti-pants agenda. The first, for CareerBuilder.com, featured a new employee surrounded by co-workers who take "casual Fridays" a bit too literally. The second, for Dockers, had a group of underwear-clad men singing about their missing slacks. For those who didn't think anybody wore tighty-whiteys any more, we present two commercials that offer disturbing proof to the contrary...
Dove, Dodge, and FloTV
So you think you're a man? Well, think again, buddy, because the folks at Dove, Dodge, and FloTv might disagree. The three companies each aired ads with an "attack on manliness." Dodge's ad, for its macho Charger car, featured a voice-over of a man agreeing to all the indignities that come with long-term relationships. But, the ad contends, men draw the line when it comes to their cars.
You're a guy and you've been using "regular" Dove? For shame, sir! Fortunately, you're not a lost cause. Now you can be a stud and use "Dove for Men." The ad had a catchy tune about going from boyhood to manhood, and how "Dove for Men" can help you along the way. Clip below...
FloTV, which lets you stream shows (and manly sports like football), took aim at "spineless" guys who hold their girlfriends' purses and get dragged around in the mall, when they could be watching football. Jim Nantz narrates the ad, the third (by our count) that aims to inspire the dudes to be more dude-ish.
Super Bowl Shuffle 2.0
Longtime NFL fans remember the Super Bowl Shuffle from 1985. The '85 Chicago Bears, including Jim McMahon, rapped and danced to an original tune. It was painful to watch, but darn if it wasn't catchy. Now, 25 years later, some ex-Bears returned to the stage to perform a new version of their inexplicable hit for Boost Mobile. In the ad, McMahon raps about his cheetah print thong, rides in a wheelchair, and gets a spray-on tan. Somebody get this guy a Dodge, some Dove for Men, and new Flo, stat.
Tim Tebow's Focus on the Family
Much ado about nothing. That's the best way to sum up the Focus on the Family ad starring Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. The ad had been the subject of much controversy in the weeks leading up to big game. Would it have a strong antiabortion angle? Well, not really. The ad featured Mr. Tebow and his mom discussing how he was a difficult birth and a "miracle baby," but, of course, the mom is just thrilled with the way things turned out. At the end of the ad, a message appears suggesting people check out Focus on the Family's official site for more information. You can check out the clip below...
by Mike Krumboltz
Few things inspire Web searches quite like cute or mysterious animals. This week we had both. Off the coast of California, hundreds of giant squids stormed the beaches, much to the delight of fisherman. And on the East Coast, a couple of adorable pandas boarded a flight bound for their native China. Check out those stories, as well as a clip from the weirdest campaign ad in history. It's the Buzz Week in Review.
The invasion of the giant squids
Our headline may sound like a bad horror movie, but believe it or not, it's also largely accurate. Off the coast of Southern California, hundreds of giant squids have been spotted swimming toward the shore. Some can weigh up to 60 pounds, but the majority are anywhere between 20 and 40 pounds. We ran a popular Buzz Log on the invasion, and immediately searches roared on "giant squids in california" and "Humboldt squids" (their scientific name). While the squids look intimidating, they aren't scaring off the fishing community. In fact, many locals are taking twilight fishing trips in an effort to nab a squid for themselves. You can check out a photo collection from MyFoxLA.
Why do squids squirt ink?
The panda express
Tai Shin, the giant panda bear who left the U.S. to return to his native China, scored a lot of headlines this week. But the popular panda had a fellow passenger on the long flight to Beijing: the lesser-known but equally adorable Mei Lan. According to a buzzy article from Yahoo! News, there are plans for Mei Lan to learn Chinese once she gets settled in her new home. Well, kind of. The article explains that "Chinese zookeepers are advertising for a tutor to teach Chinese" to the American-born panda. A staff member from a Chinese panda facility explained that "she will be taught Chinese with a Sichuan dialect, because people here all speak Sichuan dialect." The goal is for Mei Lan to understand, if not speak, a few simple phrases. If you didn't already feel dumb for knowing only one language, this may put you over the top.
Why do pandas love bamboo?
Sheep may NOT safely graze
Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, is running for senator in California. This past week, her supporters released one of the absolute strangest campaign commercials to ever see the light of day. The ad, an attack against her rival Tom Campbell, features a group of sheep grazing on a hill. But the sheep...are not alone! After an ominous voice warns voters about a wolf in sheep's clothing, we see a bizarre-looking robot sheep (really) with red eyes. The entire thing really has to be seen to be believed, and many folks did exactly that. Web searches on "carly fiorina sheep" and "carly fiorina sheep commercial" both surged into breakout status. Still, while the ad is unintentionally hilarious, it did get people talking. That's gotta be good for at least a few votes.
Also buzzing this week...
• Tiger Woods is cured!
• Toyota's PR meltdown continued.
• The video-game gods predict the Saints will top the Colts.
by Vera H-C Chan
Our picks from the day's hottest searches.
- How to Adopt Haiti Orphans (+1,550). Searches—especially from Iowa, Louisiana and Kentucky—show many are willing to go through the process, after the January earthquake increased the orphan population from 380,00 to perhaps a million.
- Giant panda (+1,194%). Tai Shan and Mei Lan landed in China today. Assimilation begins soon: The pands will get tutors to teach them commands in the appropriate dialect.
- Asashoryu (+372%). The first Mongolian sumo champ, ranked third in championship history, tearfully retired after a scandal in which he allegedly punched someone while drunk. He could've been the first yokozuna to be expelled.
- Tiger Woods golf balls (+261%). They were bound to become a double entendre one way or another, but a new line of golf balls depicting Woods' alleged conquests has raised the hackles of former porn star Joslyn James because it encourages violence against women.
- Giacometti's Walking Man (+114%). Check out the story behind the bidding that made this bronze sculpture art auction history.
by Mike Krumboltz
Another week, another pair of sacrificial lambs for "Avatar" to trounce. This week, two flicks aim for box-office glory, and they couldn't be more different. One is an over-the-top action adventure starring a shorn John Travolta. The other, a weepy love story from the author of "The Notebook." Are critics impressed with either one? Let's take a look...
From Paris With Love
When John Travolta headlines a movie, you never know what you're gonna get. For every great one like "Pulp Fiction" or "Get Shorty," there's a stinker like "Old Dogs" or "Battlefield Earth." Critics seem largely split on which camp Travolta's latest effort belongs in. Famed critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gives the flick two out of four stars, and notes that while Travolta "succeeds in this movie," the excessive use of CGI spoils some of the magic. Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman had a similar reaction. He gives the film a "C," calling it a "'fun trash' movie that's more trash than fun." Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune was more impressed. Awarding "Love" with three out of four stars, Phillips calls the flick "stoopid fun" and a "delirious" joke.
Dear John
It's a love story. It's based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks. It's coming out just in time for Valentine's Day. That sound you just heard? A million boyfriends screaming in terror. Indeed, the film, starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum, is unabashedly romantic. But is it any good? USA Today's Claudia Puig advises that viewers should correspond with "Dear John" at their own peril. Giving the film two out of four stars, Ms. Puig calls it "more sentimental than a factory full of Valentine's Day cards." Still, Puig does acknowledge that "Tatum and Seyfried are beautiful to watch." Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter was likewise unmoved by the film, saying that while the film is "heartfelt," it's also excessively manipulative. Filmcritic.com was more positive, awarding the film three out of five stars: "Dear John demands its characters make difficult choices...and the movie benefits immensely from their individual growth."
District 13: Ultimatum
Don't let the name fool you: This action flick, opening in limited release, has nothing to do with "District 9." Instead, viewers should be prepared for nonstop "parkour," a kind of sport in which participants jump, climb, and scale obstacles in "the most fluid manner possible." Filmcritic.com calls this big-screen effort "derivative if dopey fun." Meanwhile, Empire Magazine gives the flick three out of five stars and notes that while the dialogue is a bit "clunky," the action "excels."
by Vera H-C Chan
With investment banks viewed about as kindly as leech colonies these days, it's important for the poor beleaguered wealthy banker to have a cause. And in Australia, a campaign is advocating for a man's right to be a discreet pervert in the workplace.
Here's the awkward back story: An adviser from Macquarie Bank — AKA the Millionaire Factory — was on a live news show talking about the Reserve Bank of Australia. As the pundit Martin Lakos chatted about unchanged interest rates, the audience's interest rate was rising in what was happening in the background: Right smack during the 90-second interview, a colleague, one David Kiely, took that opportunity to check out nearly-naked photos of a Victoria Secret model...and no, he wasn't doing any Valentine's Day shopping.
Lo and behold, a cause (and international media gawking) was born. The blooper prompted hasty executive meetings, investigations, an HR email reminder about the company's internet policy, and a suspension for Kiely. With his job under threat, a news website launched a petition on his behalf.
The "Save Dave" campaign has captured the imagination of bankers and working Joes everywhere who know intimately the heartache of being misjudged and getting caught in the act. Meanwhile, conspiracy-minded supporters claim the whole thing's a set-up, and a practical joker lured the unsuspecting Kiely to embarrass himself on live TV, using the Miranda Kerr photos as bait.
Of course, Kiely managed to fall into the trap not once, but three times: He checked out the first image for a good 10 seconds as Lakos talked about the Reserve Bank heading towards a neutral stance; the second snapshot for 9 seconds when the subject was on the upside of cash rates; and the naughtiest pose for two seconds as the interview ended on the Reserve Bank's wait-and-see attitude about its last three interest rate rises.
While the workplace faux pas has left some amused, one editorial reminded readers that his not-so-innocent act violates the country's Sex Discrimination Act. Still, at least one woman's game to sign the petition: Kerr herself, whose GQ shots started all the trouble in the first place.
By the way, the news site sponsoring the Save Dave campaign ran a poll back in 2005 to find the best place to work, and Macquarie Bank had been a finalist.
Below, the video: Judge for yourself whether he was just a patsy, or a lech on the loose.
by Mike Krumboltz
Democrats and Republicans don't agree on much these days. But folks from both sides of the aisle were able to share a few laughs at this morning's National Prayer Breakfast.
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch from Utah stood up to lead the assembled leaders in a prayer. To his side sat the big guy, President Barack Obama. This was no time to mess up. Unfortunately, Sen. Hatch forgot to turn off his cell phone. Just as he stood at the podium, his phone's alarm began to ring. D'oh!
Sen. Hatch, a good sport, laughed sheepishly and said, "Whoops, oh dear." He then did his best to shut up the noisy gadget. As onlookers chuckled to themselves (hey, we've all been there), Sen. Hatch said, "I never learned how to turn that alarm off. I apologize. Let us pray." Cue more laughter.
Some more chuckles came when President Obama worked in a jab against the birther movement. Birthers, for those who don't know, are those who believe that Obama wasn't born in the United States. The conspiracy theory has long sparked controversy. Critics have worked to disprove it, while believers continue to make the claim. Mr. Obama, clearly aware of the issue, remarked that civility is "not a sign of weakness" and that he's "the first to confess" that he's not always right.
But, the president continued, "Surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith...or, for that matter, my citizenship." There was a bit of a pause before the sympathizers in the crowd picked up the dig. Appreciative laughter and buzz in the blogosphere ensued. You can watch the clip below.
by Vera H-C Chan
Our picks from the day's hottest searches.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (breakout). The Super Bowl ad about the Universal Orlando park gets a Web preview.
- Coconut Water (+4,224%). The latest rediscovered elixir gets even bigger, especially after a Madonna investment.
- Architectural Digest (+1,326%). The upscale magazine goes for a celebrity cover this time around.
- Noah Cyrus (+422%). She may be 9, but Miley's little sis is collaborating to design a kids' clothing line. And no, rumors are false that the "edgy" apparel includes lingerie. But it's true she did have a stripper pole party.
- Tea Party Movement (+152%). The first national conference has begun.
by Mike Krumboltz
Political ads are never subtle. And that's by design. After all, there's no time to be delicate when there's an election on the line.
Still, even by the lofty standards of past campaign ads designed to terrify voters (Willie Horton, anyone?), the recent spot for senatorial hopeful Carly Fiorina is a whole new kind of bizarre. We're not sure if she meant to, but Ms. Fiorina, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard, has unleashed a commercial that will both haunt your soul and make you laugh out loud.
In the ad, an attack against her political rival Tom Campbell, a group of sheep graze peacefully on a hill. We suppose those sheep are meant to be California voters. Little do these sheep know that among them exists a terrible beast, a wolf in sheep's clothing (that would be Mr. Campbell). Mr. Campbell, the ad contends, may talk the talk of a fiscal conservative, but he's really just another one of those tax and spend wolves. And not just any wolf, but one that crawls around like a human being and has freaky red eyes. Really, folks, the creepiness can't be overstated. Freddy Kruger would weep at the sight of this thing.
Upon first seeing the ad, many viewers may find themselves asking, "Is this real?" Indeed, the ad is so over the top, it reeks of something "Saturday Night Live" or "The Daily Show" might have leaked out to an unsuspecting world. But, incredibly, the ad is legit. A campaign site for Ms. Fiorina, Carly for California, lists a summary and facts about the video. Alas, supporters of Ms. Fiorina may have hoped the ad would help win votes, but it's far more likely that voters will find the video a) weird, b) creepy, and c) unintentionally hilarious.
The clip has barely been out a day, and already blogs across the Web are chiming in with snarky commentary. Gawker calls the ad an "inept volley" and insists it "must be seen to be believed." (Just don't watch it with the lights off.) Time magazine jokes that in order for the ad to make any sense, you must play Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" while watching.
But even though the ad is beyond bad, it does succeed on at least one level: It has people talking... and searching. Web searches on "carly fiorina" and "carly fiorina sheep ad" are both on the rise. Who knows, maybe Ms. Fiorina have the last laugh after all.
Want to see the best example of "so bad it's good" advertising we hope you'll ever encounter? Gaze into the red eyes of the robot sheep below...
by Vera H-C Chan
Not in the mood? Blame your pasty complexion. A new study says hiding from the sun like a bridge troll may keep the libido at bay.
Curious researchers from the Medical University of Graz, Austria, decided to follow some 2,299 men and measure their male sex hormone levels. They found a corresponding dip in vitamin D and testosterone in winter months starting in October. Men hit rock bottom right around March—something to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
Summer's another story entirely: Hormones run the most rampant in August, coincidentally after prolonged exposure to bikini season.
As any schoolboy knows, UV radiation is one source of vitamin D, which has become the latest hot organic compound. But don't rush out to buy that tanning bed. The documented skin cancer risks outweigh a fleeting boost in manhood. (And don't get any ideas about standing close to those plant grow lights either.) Austrian scientists haven't studied if supplements have the same effect.
So far the best boost when it's cloudy outside? A glass of fortified milk and some "oily fish." The drawback: finding a partner who will put up with mackerel breath.
by Mike Krumboltz
Sega has been out of the videogame hardware business ever since they pulled the plug on the Dreamcast console back in 2002. Now, it appears they're re-entering the fray. Well, kind of.
Look up classic Dreamcast games.
According to gaming blog Joystiq, Sega will release something called "Zone Sega" this summer in the UK. The console contains 20 built-in games from the older Genesis console as well as thirty new games. 16 of those new titles "can be played with the device's two wireless motion controllers."
Who created Sonic the Hedgehog?
Wait, motion controllers? So this is like a Wii? Well, not exactly. While the system will include some Wii-like games (ping pong, darts, golf, etc.), gamers shouldn't expect something on par with Nintendo's mega-hit.
Pocket Lint explains "gamers hoping to be able to load in more games will be disappointed, although the makers say that they hope to offer more Sega titles in the future, you won't be able to add them to this system."
Here the primary goal seems to be to appeal to the retro crowd. If you happen to like ping pong... well, that's just a bonus.
by Vera H-C Chan
Our picks from the day's hottest searches.
- Illinois Primary (+634). A hot contest for Obama's old Senate seat has emerged between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (+361%) and Republican Mark Kirk (+229%)
- Car Crazy Desks (+401%). At last, a way to preserve your first car forever, and not annoy your wife. Too much.
- Capt Phil Harris (+300%). The "Deadliest Catch" captain looks to be out of his coma and using some salty language among the hospital staff.
- Sperm Whale (+155%). We love creatures of the deep, and this lucky Dominican diving guide has a special "bond" with one.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (+154%). Touted as a good way to treat insomnia. And CBT comes as an iPhone app.
by Mike Krumboltz
On Monday, Reuters posted an article entitled "Backdoor taxes to hit middle class." As one can imagine, the article was critical of President Obama's budget.
Shortly after the article went live, the White House contacted Reuters and asked that the story be removed. The reasoning: the article was wrong, plain and simple.
Reuters obliged (the article is currently off the Web), but that hasn't stopped folks from looking for it. Searches on the article's headline posted strong triple digit gains on Tuesday.
While this may sound like a conspiracy, rest assured Reuters accepted full blame, and acknowledged the inaccuracies. A spokesperson said, "It definitely was not up to our standards. It had significant errors of fact.”
