Why we drop a ball on New Year’s Eve
It just isn’t a New Year in the U.S. without the ubiquitous ball drop from Times Square in NYC every year. How did this tradition get started?
Meet Krampus, the anti-Santa Christmas devil
A terrifying German/Austrian Christmas demon tradition is taking roots in the U.S. and other countries. As a flip side to St. Nicholas, Gruss Von Krampus punishes children who were bad (usually by giving them twigs,) but in some instances he throws them in his sack and takes them to the underworld.
How long have breast implants been around?
Modern breast implants, which can look nice if you use the right doctor, were developed in the 1960s, but some early substances used were downright barbaric. Find out more about the history of breast implants, and how long they’ve been around.
How many people died in the Salem Witch Trials?
These days TV is all about the witches, especially on the latest, and possibly the best, edition of American Horror Story. The FX hit show is set in Louisiana, where, according to the first episode, the real witches escaped the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Tonight the witches that remained in Salem are coming to New Orleans to settle a score with Marie Laveau. How many people died in the real Salem Witch trials? How did it all begin?
VIDEO – River and Joaquin Pheonix acting together in 1984’s Backwards TV movie
Footage of the late River Pheonix and his brother Joaquin acting together in 1984 for the first and only time.
Jack Nicholson’s shocking family secret
Until he was 37 years old Jack Nicholson’s family life was all a lie. Find out the shocking secret his family kept from him.
How easy is it to find diamonds at the Crater Diamond State Park?
This year two teens have made headlines after finding large diamonds at the Crater Diamond State Park in Arizona. It has a “finders keepers” policy that lets you keep whatever you find. But is it easy to find diamonds there?
Is the science of Gravity accurate? Could a scenario like that really happen?
Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is an anxiety-inducing wonder, but is the science involved in this latest space flick accurate? (Some spoilers ahead)
Iggy Azalea’s DIY career: From cleaning toilets in Australia, to being a teen runaway in Miami
23-year-old Iggy Azalea has already lived quite a life. Iggy was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly in Sydney, Australia, and her family relocated to Mullumbimby, New South Wales to live in a house her father, an artist, built himself with mudbricks. She’s since propelled herself from humble beginnings, and skipped across continents to build a solid fan-base through DIY methods. Find out more about Iggy’s background, name, and if her butt is real.
Why is Kim Kardashian ineligible for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
After Hollywood Walk of Fame committee members basically mocked Kim Kardashian’s desire to earn a star, Kanye West said the whole process is outdated. Find out the requirements for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — and why it would be a while before we could even see Kim’s name.
Who were Madame Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau, the historical women portrayed in American Horror Story: Coven?
On tonight’s premiere of American Horror Story: Coven, viewers will meet Madame Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau, who are both prominent figures in New Orleans’ history. Get a glimpse into what you can expect…
Story of the late Paul Karason and other blue and silver people
Paul Karason, a man who turned himself blue by drinking silver, passed away at age 62 Monday after suffering a stroke. He used the silver as a home remedy for severe dermatitis, and didn’t stop once he showed signs of argyria, a permanent color change of the skin due to silver deposits. But Paul Karason is not the only blue person who’s ever lived. Several other documented people have had their skin tone changed by using silver as a medicine, and then there are the Fugates, a family in Appalachian Kentucky known for their bluish skin tone.
Who is Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” about?
Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know is the perfect break-up revenge song. It’s driven by the special bitter anger of a scorned lover, and it’s about a special somebody (and no, it’s not your ex-boyfriend even though it describes him perfectly.)
Drew Barrymore’s actor ancestors pre-date film and Hollywood!
Most folks know that Drew Barrymore comes from an acting family, but do you know the extent of her acting roots? How many generations of actors are there in Drew Barrymore’s family?
Real beer belly: Man gets drunk from alcohol made inside his body
This odd story puts a whole new twist on “beer belly!” A 61-year-old man from Carthage, TX came stumbling into the hospital complaining of dizziness, but it turned out he was just drunk. The only problem was that he claimed he had not touched a drop of alcohol!
Why are engagement rings usually diamond?
For years when someone proposes marriage, it’s expected that it will A: Be a surprise, and B: involve a beautiful engagement ring, usually diamond. It turns out 20th century advertising are behind both of these cultural expectations. Blame Don Draper for feeling the heat to pick out the biggest, sparkliest, and purest diamond for your future wife.
Jennifer Anniston has a punk rock brother who lives in a van
Jennifer Aniston’s 24-year-old long-lost brother AJ (Alex John) Aniston lives quite a different lifestyle from his America’s Sweetheart sister. The punk rock drifter was photographed for the first time in nine years at Nevada’s Burning Man event.
Did You Know? | Lady GaGa | Lüc Carl | Music | Throwback
Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” was about chasing after ex-boyfriend Luc Carl
“Paparazzi” is one of my favorite Lady Gaga songs, and a small part of why of I like it (I mostly just like it because it’s a fun song) is because of it’s comment on fame, love, and paparazzi and tabloid culture. It could be argued that it’s from the point of view of the paparazzi, or the star, or a that it switches at some point, but for me it always seems to almost be both at the same time. Of course, all of that is in the song, but it turns out the true heart of the song, the true inspiration is Lady Gaga’s unrequited love for ex-boyfriend Luc Carl.
The meaning behind Kanye West’s “Blood on the Leaves” lynching tree photo at VMA performance
Miley Cyrus has succeeded in seriously distracting everyone with her twerks and grinds, and tongue action (just to mention a few of the things) at the VMAs Sunday night, which is kind of sad because Kanye West’s simple, stripped down performance is being largely overlooked.
PHOTOS: Channing Tatum’s modeling past
Channing Tatum wasn’t just a stripper before he became a movie star and an adorable dad, he also was a legit fashion model for a while!
Did You Know? | History | Throwback | Toys
What’s the dark meaning behind Nickelodeon’s gooey toy Gak’s name?
The squishy, gooey, bright-colored mid-90s Nickelodeon toy Gak (which has recently been revived) wasn’t just a silly word the toy developers made up. Mark Summers, the host of Nickelodeon show Double Dare where the concept of Gak was first created, reveals its gritty meaning in a new interview.
Mila Kunis was a Jewish Ukranian immigrant who initially didn’t speak English
Mila Kunis turned 30 today, and in honor of her birthday we’re delving into her fascinating past. Mila’s now a well-respected and prolific U.S. actress, but when Mila’s parents immigrated from the Ukraine when she was seven-years-old, Mila didn’t know a word of English.
Crystal myth? ‘Mythbusters’ tested the science of Breaking Bad
Mythbusters did a special episode testing out some of the science used on the AMC masterpiece Breaking Bad to see if it holds up in the real world. If you’re a Breaking Bad fan it’s hard to forget two key scenes from Season 1: when Walt melts a body with hydrofluoric acid and it ends up dissolving the tub and the floor, and when Walt uses mercury fulminate to walk away unscathed while he dramatically blows up everything in drug dealer Tuco’s office. The windows even blew out! This is the kind of stuff that makes you feel awestruck with the power of science, but is any of it really possible?
Ashton Kutcher offers life advice, reveals real name at Teen Choice Awards
Ashton Kutcher revealed his real first name last night at the Teen Choice Awards while accepting the Ultimate Choice Award for receiving the most Teen Choice Awards over the years. He also stopped the jokes and gave out some sincere, heartfelt life advice.
Weight Loss News: People are sewing plastic patches on their tongues to make it painful to eat
People are always hoping there is a miracle “cure” to weight loss, and the latest solution to conquer willpower is forced suffering. It’s possible now to get a doctor to sew a patch onto your tongue that makes it too painful to eat solid food.
Worst Marilyn Monroe misquotes and their rightful attributions
Marilyn Monroe misquotes run rampant on Pinterest. We set the record straight by identifying who should actually get recognized for these Pin-worthy sayings…
PHOTOS You wouldn’t even recognize Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin now
Abigail Breslin has undergone quite the transformation in the past year! Now she looks every bit the part of Hollywood bombshell…
Is creepy Annabelle from The Conjuring a real doll?
The Conjuring is supposed to be based on a true story, but one of the scariest parts of the film is the creepy doll Annabelle. Is she real too?
How much money does the royal family make? Where does it come from? What do they do?
For Americans the British Royal Family is fun. We get caught up in the romance of it. We don’t have people with official titles straight from fairytales like “King” or “Princess” or “Duke” around here, and we’re not always sure what exactly they do, or how they make the money that keeps them uber rich and luxuriating in a lavish royal lifestyle. They never seem to have real jobs, and making impeccable and gracious public appearances seems to be the only thing they do. People make jokes about them being a drain on the British taxpayers, but are they really?
Just how rich is the Royal Family? Where their money comes from? What do they actually do?
What is shunning in the Amish religion? Why is Abe’s mom shunned?
Breaking Amish‘s Mary Schmucker was shunned when she decided to appear on television with her son Abe during the first season of Breaking Amish, and although she didn’t leave the Amish community, she risked being shunned again when she followed Abe and his wife Rebecca to film Season Two in Sarasota, FL. She brought along her daughter Katie Ann, who though about leaving the Amish for a while, even getting an English makeover, but ultimately decided to return to the Amish. Mary reveals on the reunion special that she has been shunned again for choosing to move away for a while and participate in the show.
Kelsey Grammer’s tragic family history: father and sister murdered in separate events
Even though Kelsey now seems to be in a joyful place, he will always carry the burden of painful memories. Aside from his well-documented drug abuse, relationship problems and personal scandals, Kelsey also had the misfortune of being affected by murder on two separate occasions.
What language do the Amish speak?
One of the best parts of Breaking Amish (reunion special part 1 airs tonight at 10 EST) is when they start speaking to each other in their own special language. It doesn’t leave out the audience because there are always subtitles, but it’s pretty interesting to hear this different language people speak in pockets of the US. Sometimes the words seem familiar to English words, and that’s because they are both Germanic languages So, what is this language?
Who was Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson?
A notorious hit man, Charles Harrelson was accused of more than one dozen murders. He even claimed involvement in the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Learn more about his life… Including what Woody thinks about his father.
Benedict Cumberbatch has cheated death twice
36-year-old British hottie Benedict Cumberbatch has had an exciting life before he became an international sensation. He opened up to the UK’s Mirror about cheating death twice.
Did You Know? | Gossip | News
Linguistics maps: Where does your dialect fit in?
Coke, pop or soda? Tennis shoes, gym shoes or sneakers? They may not be the world’s most meaningful questions, but how their answers vary throughout the country still is interesting. Check out a set of maps that demonstrate just how much our ways of pronunciation vary.
How much do celebs make for sponsored tweets? The top earners may surprise you!
The amount celebrities earn for sponsored tweets isn’t proportional to their number of followers. We look into why that is and who earns the most per follower. (Hint: Thankfully it isn’t Farrah!)
From supermodel to princess — plus other Americans who’ve married royalty
Because the Kardashians really don’t count as royalty, we Americans have to get outside the country to land a real prince or princess. Here are a few who’ve married into royalty…
In most states there is no minimum age requirement for motorcycle passengers
For those who don’t use motorcycles as a mode of transportation it may be surprising to learn that in the vast majority of states there is no minimum age restriction for passengers. Find out which states do have laws on the books in regards to this and discover which two don’t even require that children wear helmets.
Did You Know? | Diets | Fads | Health and Beauty | Mad Men
If you were a woman in the 1960s, this is how you would lose weight
Just like Betty on Mad Men, women in the 1960s eagerly turned to fad diets to lose weight. But, hey! Wouldn’t you be more willing to “lose weight” if there was such as thing as the Drinking Man’s Diet?
How did Macklemore get his name?
We discuss Macklemore’s name originate from, his unique sound and support of social equality issues like gay marriage, and, of course, if he really shops at thrift shops.
As well as hosting the 2013 MTV Movie Awards, Rebel Wilson is writing a sitcom and movie for herself
Thursday night during the final episode of Jersey Shore (don’t worry, you can still get your fix from Snooki & Jwoww and Pauly D’s new show on E!) MTV ran a commercial for the 2013’s Movie Awards starring the host, Rebel Wilson! Move over, Russell Brand.
VIDEO – Why is MTV’s ‘Catfish’ TV show called Catfish?
In 2010 Catfish, a documentary film called by Nev Schulman, became all the rage because of it’s skillful presentation of Nev’s journey to find the woman he thought he had fallen in love with on Facebook. Not only was he excited to see this woman, Megan, who he had feelings for, but he’d gotten to know a lot about her family, especially Megan’s younger sister Abbey, who is a painting prodigy.
Now there’s an MTV show based on the same principle, but what does “Catfish” mean? What is the origina of the term?
PHOTOS What’s the meaning of Rihanna’s Isis tattoo?
Singer Rihanna was clearly heartbroken when her “GranGran” Dolly passed away from cancer on July 1st, and now the 24-year-old singer has paid tribute to her grandmother in true Rihanna fashion – with a HUGE tattoo of the Egyptian goddess Isis on her chest! Keep reading to see the GranGrand gesture and read Rihanna’s accompanying words.
Was Tom Waits Heath Ledger’s inspiration for The Joker?
The late Heath Ledger’s legendary portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight was influenced by many things, including Malcolm McDowell’s Alex in the 1971 film adaptation of A Clockwork Orange and Side Vicious from The Sex Pistols, but it seems that Heath borrowed his accent and mannerisms from musician/performance artist Tom Waits.
Did You Know? | History | News
The truth about Valentine’s Day: A dark, brutal history
Valentine’s Day as we know it now is very bittersweet: Sweet if you’ve got a generous crush/love and/or lots of friends to shower you with gifts, cards, emails, tweets, flowers, and candy, until you’re swimming in red and pink colored flattery. It’s also sweet if you’re a pop star who spends Valentine’s Day with a dying fan.
But it’s also very bitter, for those who think it’s just another cynical holiday meant to sell candy and cards, and of course, if you’re not linked up to anyone romantically during this time, it just seems like everyone who is is just rubbing it in your face. That girl at work that keeps getting flowers delivered. That kid at school with ALL the candygrams. Your best friend/sister/mortal enemy and her reservations at the poshest spot in town with her fiance (who’s in finance, looks like George Clooney, and loves puppies.) Really, it’s kind of sadistic when you think about it.
So, how did this wretched/wonderful holiday come about? It turns out the history of Valentine’s day is even more brutal than finding an empty Valentine’s cubby in elementary school.
Meet Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, the real couple behind the amnesia love story The Vow
If you’re like me, you thought The Vow starring Rachel McAdamas and Channing Tatum, while fodder for some romantic eye candy, was just another of those love amnesia stories made-up for the movies. But it turns out there is a real life couple that inspired the story!
PHOTOS What is the difference between leopard and cheetah print?
Have you ever found yourself asking the question, “What is the difference between leopard print and cheetah print?” Worry no more! Keep reading for a very clear description of each and how to tell the difference with lots of side-by-side photos as examples!
PHOTO – The very first Apple computer, Apple-1
Last week the world lost a true visionary when Steve Jobs left the planet, and it’s been an interesting time of reflection and inspiration as the world contemplates what it is about Jobs that made him so great. To help that along, we dug up a photo of one of the 200 very first Apple computers (tagline: “take a byte out of Apple”) called Apple-1. These babies were hand built by Apple partner co-founder Steve Wozniak in 1976, and were sold from Steve Jobs’s parents’ garage for $666.66. (Wozniak says he likes repeating numbers.)
BIO, PHOTOS, VIDEO Anderson Cooper’s fascinating mom Gloria Vanderbilt, heiress, artist, writer, fashion icon
Anderson Cooper opens the second week of his new daytime talk show Anderson with a show devoted to his mom! Awww! But it’s a little more than cute or sappy, because his mom happens to be Gloria Vanderbilt. The fact is that Gloria has been one busy girl in her 87 years, and she’s not…
Celebrities | Did You Know? | Kat Von D | Lady GaGa | tattoos | Throwback
VIDEOS Vintage Lady Gaga getting inked by Kat Von D
See two great clips from 2008 of Lady Gaga getting a lower back tattoo from Kat Von D just before she exploded on the pop scene with her album The Fame. The two clips feature some serious hot pants and mother monster talking about having just worked with New Kids on the Block.
PHOTO – Louis C.K.’s experimental art films starred his ex-wife Alix Bailey
Youtube has given us a few rare glimpses of Louis C.K.’s ex-wife, painter Alix Bailey. Several years ago before he became a stand-up superstar, Louis C.K. (real name Szekely) schooled himself on film-making by playing with a few of absurd short black-and-white films. A couple of them starred Alix Bailey, yet unencumbered with the perilous good luck of being Loius C.K.’s ex-wife, and source of stand-up material.
PHOTOS Talia Balsam, the only woman George Clooney will ever marry
George Clooney broke the hearts of women across the globe including model-girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis when he revealed to Piers Morgan that Talia Balsam would be the only woman he will ever marry. Wait, who’s Talia Balsam!?!
Well read on and we’ll answer just that including a photo gallery as well as the low down on the handsome Mad Men actor the actress is currently married to.
VIDEO – Radical history teachers use Blondie, The Beatles, and Lady Gaga to educate
Armed with nothing but a solid knowledge of history, a decent singing voice, and heaping doses of creativity, a group of history teachers have finally found a way to properly instruct children (and adults.) Going by the handle “historyteachers” on YouTube, these educators do treatments of popular pop songs with the lyrics changed to history…