Barbara Walters is out with her annual list of the 10 most fascinating people of 2010.  Making the list are Jennifer Lopez, Kate Middleton, Justin Bieber, Betty White, Sarah Palin, LeBron James, Sandra Bullock and the cast of Jersey Shore.

I can understand why Kate Middleton made the list, as she is set to marry Prince William.  But I don’t understand the whole Jersey Shore fad. 

 There are so many interesting people in the world, I asked on Facebook who you think should be on the list.  Quite a few people think Ozzy should be on there.  Tell me who you think is the most fascinating person of 2010. 

Yesterday I made some comments regarding my distaste for Oprah.  Today I would like to elaborate. 

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My mother in-law was watching her show the other day and saw Marie Osmond singing opera, and asked for the CD for her Birthday.  Terrific, a simple gift solution, I’ll head to the store and pick one up…but alas…I can not find this CD in any store, and you know why?  Because the rest of the world is looking for the same CD, because it was mentioned on Oprah!

There are so many people out there that take what Oprah says as the “be all, end all”…if it was on Oprah it must be true, if Oprah thinks this is a good book or a reliable product, well then it has to be the best.  She has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time, and she obviously has a huge fan base, I’ll give her that, but I think it’s important to remember that in the end, she is an entertainer.  As a society we have the opportunity to create our own ideas and opinions, I think it’s important to remember that when considering what we see and hear on any show.  That’s right, all shows…that means your Dr. Phil’s and your Dr. Oz’s (part of the Oprah machine).  It’s great to enjoy it, but remember it’s entertainment.

As we close in on the end of Movember I am reminded of the importance of getting an annual prostate exam if you are a male over 40.  It’s not a pleasant experience, but it is a necessary one.  Early detection is key to stopping this deadly disease.  Some may say I shared a little too much information this morning, but if my experience helps even one person, it is worth it.  Click on the link below to hear it for yourself.

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The Fox staff will be guest serving at Boston Pizza from 5-8pm on Monday, Movember 29th to raise funds and awareness for the fight against prostate cancer.  15% of total sales will be donated to Prostate Cancer Canada.  Reserve your table by calling Boston Pizza at 494-9191.  If one of the Fox crew serves your table that night, you could win a pair of tickets to see the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders at the ACC on February 22nd.  Come out for great food, fun and a great cause!

Tootin’ Tushie ornaments have become this year’s biggest Christmas gag gift.  The tree ornaments fart to the tune of “Deck the Halls”.  The item is sold as a set of two ornaments shaped like the backsides of Santa and a reindeer.  Squeeze either one and it will toot a few bars of “Deck the Halls” for about 15 seconds.  It’s all the christmas fun without the smell!!  Check them out by clicking on the link below.

 http://www.amazon.com/Tootin-Tushies-Farting-Reindeer-Ornament/dp/B001MTX5EG

The calls were coming in fast and furious this morning!  Snow was the word everywhere it seemed, except for here outside our studio at the overpass.  We did finally see the white stuff here at about 8am.  Joe sent us a picture taken at the Canadore Aviation Campus early this morning. 

I don’t think it will stick around this time, but Cathy already had the snowmobile humming in the garage!  If you are a fan of the winter season this will be a big weekend to kick start things.  The NBSC “Think Snow” fundraiser auction at McCoy’s on Saturday night, you can find out all of the info at www.nbsc.ca and the Santa Claus Parade is set for noon on Sunday.  So bundle up, grab a thermos of hot chocolate and bring on winter!

Next Tuesday, November 16th, Bruce Springsteen will release “The Promise(The Lost Session:Darkness on the Edge of Town)”.  The 2 CD set includes 21 never before released tracks from Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town” recording sessions.  “Darkness” was released in the Spring of 1978 and is my favourite album from The Boss, so I am stoked to hear these songs.

With the album release next week, I decided to revisit some of my favourite Springsteen tracks.

“Adam Raised a Cain”(from Darkness on the Edge of Town) - I remember the first time I heard this song.  It was in the mid 80′s, a while after it originally came out.  Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” was a huge hit, and a high school classmate of mine introduced me to some of Springsteen’s back catalogue.  The grittiness of the track really struck me and the ferocity of the vocals really blew me away.   I don’t think this song gets the credit it deserves as one of Springsteen’s finest.

“Rosalita(Come Out Tonight)” (from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle) – There’s a reason this is a concert favourite for Springsteen fans.  I still get pumped everytime I hear it.  This song is epic in so many ways – a fantastic tale of forbidden love with a driving beat and a sax solo that kills!

“Badlands” (from Darkness on the Edge of Town) – This song opens the “Darkness’ album and was the second single from disc.  Shame it did not crack the Top 40 because it surely deserved to be a bigger hit.  Big drums, a wicked piano riff and lyrics that will wrench your guts out.  Anyone who has ever felt the need to break out of a bad situation can relate.

“Candy’s Room” (from Darkness on the Edge of Town) – Her name is Candy and she will draw you in, much like this song.  An unforgettable melody that needs to be heard again and again.

“Galveston Bay” (from The Ghost of Tom Joad) – I saw Springsteen perform this on Elvis Costello’s Spectacle last week and immediately became a fan of it.  Just the Boss and his guitar doing what he does best -telling the story of the common man.  Haunting is the only way I can describe it.  I’m not familiar with this album, but I’m thinking it deserves a closer listen.

I have always been a fan of the Family Feud game show.  Mitch thinks that Richard Dawson was the best host on the show.  In my opinion John O’Hurley was the best; his stint kicked off in ’06 and wrapped up this year. I haven’t watched the show recently though with the new host Steve Harvey, but I did hear a clip today that reminded me how funny some of the contestants can be.  For a laugh, check this out!

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It’s starting to get cold outside, so I thought I’d set you up with some memories of a much warmer time.  I’m talking summertime!  Great weather, great friends and incredible music!  Explorers Point in Mattawa was the place to be this past summer for Voyageur Days 2010.  This coming summer will be one to look forward to.  A big announcement will come early December to announce one of the acts for Voyageur Days 2011 and tickets will be available in December as well…just in time for Christmas!

Thanks to John Minkowskyj for the amazing photos that he took during Voyageur Days.  You can find them in our Photo Galleries section of the website under Fun Stuff.

Reminisce and enjoy!

If you want to sell a product, market it to children. 

In my house, if the kids are in the living room it’s a pretty safe bet that cartoons will be playing on the television.  Cartoons or the ever dreaded…pre-teen show, you know the ones I’m talking about, Hannah Montana, The Wizards of Waverly Place, and worst of all, the Jonas Brothers (shudder). 

One thing I’ve noticed is that you can buy virtually anything with the Hannah Montana name on it these days and kids want it all because of that very reason.  She has everything from hair products, dolls, clothing and even deodorant, which my five year old has suddenly found the need to posses.  At this point my daughter has 3 different Hannah dolls that all sing different songs, not to mention the sound stage that also plays Hannah Montana music (while taking up space). 

I have the feeling this is a case of marketing masters hopping on board the gravy train, and riding it until the gas runs out. 

Now that her show is no more, reruns will eventually come to an end.  Sadly, just when we think it’s the end of the over produced garbage, the marketing geniuses will pop out a new improved version of “the next best thing” which will no doubt be equally as irritating and cost us a fortune in “must have” products.

There is one plus in all of this though, no shortage of Christmas ideas for the Hannah Montana fan.  

Didn’t catch The Morning After with Mitch and Vicki today? Here’s what you missed…

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