Latest Current News

Beloved Entertainer Danny Gans Dies

2009-05-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

Danny Gans, "The Man of Many Voices" was reported dead early this morning. A 911 call came in saying the 11-time Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year was having difficulty breathing. The actual cause of death remains unknown at this time.

Before becoming a performer, Danny Gans had a promising career ahead of him in baseball, until it was cut short by an injury.

After that he started perfecting his routine in which he channels the voices of many different singers. Comedy and other celebrity impressions were also a part of his record breaking act.
He has had a few TV roles. Most notably playing Dean Martin in the TV biopic Sinatra, and a 12 episode run as Roger on Silk Stalkings.

As of now, his official website makes no mention of his passing. However, condolences are being sent to the one-of-a-kind, endearing entertainer who will always be known as Danny Gans.

The Sharkstopper

2009-04-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Brian Wynne, inventor of the Sharkstopper, got the idea in 2001. The device has versions for surfers, swimmers, scuba divers and personal watercraft. It claims to repels sharks.

The Sharkstopper uses, in part, recorded sounds of killer whales - a natural enemy of sharks. Author, and well-known shark expert, A. Peter Klimley was consulted on the viability of the product. He freely admitted that the theory was sound, but remained skeptical.

Anthony Sullivan put the Sharkstopper to the test on the April 29, 2009 episode of the Discovery Channel show Pitchmen. Billy Mays (Sullivan's partner) was on hand to chum the water, to give the product a full workout.

Sullivan emerged from his swim in shark infested waters unscathed. However, due to the possibility of someone getting hurt due to misuse, Mays and Sullivan decided against doing a commercial for the Sharkstopper.

Baskin Robbins Offering 31 Cent Ice Cream

2009-04-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

During the evening of April 29th, Baskin Robbins will offer scoops of it's "31 Flavors" for 31 cents. At the same time they will be collecting donations for firefighters. There are approximately 2,800 parlors across the US.

This is the third year Baskin Robbins has held this delicious fundraiser. Firefighters themselves will do the scooping at many locations.

Decades before Ben & Jerry founded their company, Baskin Robbins was noted for then exotic flavors such as Egg Nog, Pineapple Sherbet, and Vanilla Burnt Almond. New flavors are just as popular; and at 31 cents with the money going toward a good cause, Baskin Robbins is sure to please.

Jayson Williams

2009-04-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Early this morning of April 27, 2009, in the pre-dawn hours Jayson Williams (formerly of the New Jersey Nets) was forcibly removed from his hotel room. After destroying his hotel room in Manhattan he barricaded the door to prevent others from entering.

Jayson Williams has been placed under a psychological evaluation. He was observed as acting suicidal and violent. Once police were able to make entry into the room they had to use a taser to subdue him.

The basketballer was accused of covering up the accidental shooting death of his limo driver in 2002. However, he may be facing retrial on the manslaughter charges, due to a previously deadlocked jury. It is not immediately known if that looming possibility played a role in his hotel room rampage.

Hungry Girl

2009-04-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hungry Girl alter ego of Lisa Lillien. Author of "Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World". She has a loyal following of about 700,000 subscribers to her online newsletter.

Her new book, "Hungry Girl 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories", is available in stores now, and online at www.hungry-girl.com. She has spent many weeks on the New Your Times Bestseller list with her first title. Her new book is soon to be #1 on that list.

Tasty food that's easy to make and low calorie. Most of the Hungry Girl recipes are meant to satisfy our desire for instant food gratification. They are quick, and snacky, and Lisa Lillien has another hit book with the latest installment of the Hungry Girl series.

Cinnamon rolls under 150 calories, beef and cheese quesadillas under 200, or triple chocolate cake for 130 calories are a few of the mouth watering recipes in "Hungry Girl 200 Under 200".

Jay Leno Hospitalized

2009-04-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Jay Leno, 17-year host of the Tonight Show, complained of feeling unwell while at NBC's studios in the early afternoon. Shortly thereafter, he checked himself into the hospital at Burbank, California. Rumor has it that Jay was suffering from mild food poisioning, but Leno's staff have denied the diagnosis.

Leno's staff have verified that Jay is doing fine, that he spent the afternoon joking with nurses and running his monologue past his doctors. The 'Tonight Show' has been cancelled for the night, and guests Ryan Reynolds (from X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Jules Sylvester (famous animal trainer), and swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are united in wishing Leno a rapid recovery.

Leno's 59th birthday will be Tuesday, April 28th. Leno's last airing as host of the Tonight show will appear on May 29th, 2009. Leno plans to stick with NBC, however he is moving to prime time: he has a weekday show planned for the 10 pm timeslot. It will be very interesting to see how he plans to compete with the major primetime drama lineup.

Tony Gonzalez

2009-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

It's official, Tony Gonzalez is no longer a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. It was recently announced that he will be traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a second round draft pick.

As a tight end for the Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez broke several NFL records for his position. He will definitely be remembered as a Chief. Gonzalez has made comments that point to a commitment of at least three years with Atlanta.

Merchandise bearing the Tony Gonzalez name is going to be selling well in the next few days in the KC area. It will be interesting to see speculators scramble, and die-hard fans snatch up what they can while it lasts. Tony has been a Chief since his Pro debut in 1997.

Jimmy Smith

2009-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Former NFL Pro Bowl star Jimmy Smith has been arrested at a Florida gas station. He's charged with multiple drug charges (marijuana and cocaine), both misdemeanor and felony counts have been reported. To add insult to inury, he has a suspended license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver has a history of substance abuse problems. These led the NFL to suspend him for four games in 2003. He has also had a few run ins with the law. Including incidents in 2001 and 2008.

Jimmy Smith holds the franchise record for receiving and is on the top all-time top 20 receiving yards list.

Myrtle Beach Fires

2009-04-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Myrtle Beach weather conditions (dry and windy) have contributed to the spread of local wildfires. Scores of homes have already been destroyed. Overnight, residents were evacuated from their homes as the Myrtle Beach wildfire continued to spread.

It is believed to have started as a coastal fire, and is spreading to the heart of the heavily touristed area of the city. Firefighters have been working around the clock to extinguish the blaze.

The current 10-day forecast shows no relief in the form of rain until next Thursday. Myrtle Beach news has reported on several homes and businesses that have been destroyed by the wildfire.

Amazing New Dual Saw

2009-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

The Dual Saw is a promising tool in many ways. At first glance, it looks like a small handheld circular saw, but it's a lot more. It melts through steel but doesn't shatter an egg.

This new saw can cut through tough materials like there almost not there at all. The Dual Saw is safer. Counter-rotating blades (one going clockwise, the other counterclockwise) prevent kickback and sparks.

Pitchmen, the Discovery Channel program, featured the Dual Saw on it's April 22, 2009 episode. Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan appeared together in the same commercial for the first time. The idea was to showcase the idea of "dual action".

Watch this video to see what it can do...

Refrigerator Perry

2009-04-22T09:17:00.001-07:00

Former Chicago Bear's defensive tackle, William Refrigerator Perry is still in the hospital from complications of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The hospital is located in Aiken, SC which is also his home town. Perry earned the nickname "Refrigerator" due to his massive size (especially during the years he played).

Though he retired from the NFL in 1994, he hasn't fallen off the radar. He has had several minor acting roles, put his name on barbecue sauce, and started a construction company.

In mid-2008, Refrigerator Perry was diagnosed as having Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Rapidly spreading weakness is the main symptom, but it can be treatable if caught early enough. The worst potential complication, obviously, is death.

As mentioned, Refrigerator Perry is in the hospital due to complications. It is not known how severe his condition is.

Peapod Car

2009-04-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Peapod is a promising electric car developed by Chrysler. It's small, it's cutting-edge, and it's eco-friendly. At first glance, the Peapod looks, well, cute. From the front, it even looks like it's smiling.

It's not going to win any awards from people who love gas-guzzling SUVs, but it appeals to anyone concerned about fuel savings and reducing emissions. Another thing that makes the Peapod stand out is that you can use your iPod or iPhone as the vehicle's key, or as a way to monitor its performance.

Now, it should be noted that the Peapod has a top speed of 25 miles per hour. It's more for running errands (combined errands, of course) than for mindless cruising. With today being Earth Day vehicle's like the Peapod will be getting more attention, however it's not likely to be released for a few months.

Yannique Barker

2009-04-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

Looks like Yannique Barker was recently photographed with Brooke Hogan.

Stack$ is Yannique Barker's stage name. He was film school student when he decided to follow his musical muse, and he has been a rapper ever since.

Brooke Hogan is the daughter of Hulk Hogan (which is the "stage" name of Terry Bollea). She has her own TV show Brooke Knows Best which is a spin-off of her father's reality series, Hogan Knows Best.

Are the two romanttically involved? They were photographed walking hand-in-hand. It should also be noted that Yannique Barker appears on Brooke's new album as Stack$.

Neil Sedaka

2009-04-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Neil Sedaka is back, again. This time he has re-worked some of his biggest hits into children's songs. The CD is called Waking Up Is Hard To Do, and the generation gap actually works in his favor.

Neil Sedaka has had a five decade career. His early hits include "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" (which is the inspiration for his current CD title) and "Calendar Girl". His status as a hitmaker declined during the British Invasion, but he enjoyed renewed popularity in the mid-70s. "Bad Blood" and "Laughter In The Rain" mark this point in Neil Sedaka's songbook.

While his popularity has waxed and waned over the years, he has never really quit working. The timeless quality of Neil Sedaka songs becomes apparent on listening to the tracks on Waking Up Is Hard To Do. Perhaps it's the tonal quality of his voice, or the happy melodies that permeate Sedaka's songs.

Children who have never heard of him, and Neil Sedaka fans both will find this a worthy addition to their music collection.