2B Entertainment

Are you looking for a one stop website where you can keep up with the hottest entertainment news?  You are in the right place!  We created this site to offer entertainment fans a way to keep up with their favorite stars without paying expensive fees for magazine subscriptions.  Check out all the recent developments among the industry’s leading music artists, Hollywood stars, and more.  Read articles featuring up and coming writers and explore some of the hottest new celebrities taking over the Hollywood scene.  We capture it all for you and compile it in one easy location.  Stop by often to get the scoop on the entertainment world.

Most reality television stars are willing to do whatever it takes just so they can enjoy their fifteen minutes of fame. Lately, the trend is shifting and some people who are already celebrities are starting to become involved in reality television.  One such celebrity is Howie Mandel. He recently created a special for FOX that take reality television to a whole new level.

Howie Mandell first filmed Mobbed with the idea that it would be a special. FOX liked the show and gave it the coveted spot right behind American Idol. The response to the special was positive enough that Mandell and Fox have inked a deal for eight more episodes. Just because the show has been picked up for eight episodes does not mean it will be a success. If the show does not do well right away it will be dropped.

The hope is that if the first eight episodes draw enough interest that FOX will see ratings increase during that time block.  Each episode is an hour long and uses a hidden camera to capture ordinary people being “mobbed” by a crowd of flash dancers and singers. A large portion of the show features prep work as Mandel helps the guest stars prepare for the final event where they surprise a loved one. The goal of the show is to catch events that are going to touch the hearts of the viewers, and the surprises are huge.  On the first episode, a guy proposed to his girlfriend who had no clue it was coming and then they got married on the spot.  It was extraordinary!  This show is a must-see for reality TV fans.

It is hard to know what to think about Lady Gaga. On one hand, she is a very talented musician. She has proven that she has a knack for not just singing, but also writing. On the other hand, there is her image, which, to say the least, is outlandish.

The thing that is so confusing about Lady Gaga is that she proclaims to be in love with fashion. While it is true that the world of runway fashion can be a little hard to figure out, Lady Gaga seems to take it to a whole new level.

The thing that people have to keep in mind is that Lady Gaga is all about expressing herself. It is a recurring theme throughout her music and seems to be a rule that she lives by. While it can be hard to understand how wearing a dress that is entirely made out of meat (yes it was real) can possibly express anything about gay rights, clearly Gaga felt it did, at least that is her story. If nothing else the dress got people talking and that is always a good thing particularly if you are trying to generate record sales.

Most fans believe Gaga is more about creating buzz than she is about glamour. While Gaga might not be considered glamorous in the same way that some people are, you have to give her credit for one thing. She is fearless, which is something we should all strive to be. It is also important to remember that it was not that long ago when another young women burst onto the music scene with shocking clothing and sexual lyrics. She has gone onto become one of the most powerful names in music, Madonna.

Love her or hate her, there is no denying that Lady Gaga is one of today’s hottest music sensations.  She has the gutsy star power that sets apart the top artists in her industry so you can expect Gaga to go far.

I’ve been watching a few sitcoms lately, and you know the married people they portray on those shows have a few fatal qualities about them. I thought it might be a good idea to take a look back at reality and gain some perspective.

First, why is every wife on TV portrayed as this controlling, manipulative and self centered (insert expletive here)? That’s not what being a wife is all about. Being a wife is about being a helper to her husband. I know that sounds archaic, but what if we helped our husbands and were on the same team rather than opposing sides? How might our homes be different if we actually worked with each other than against? It’s an interesting thought to consider.

Wives are not all to blame for this skewed view of marriage. How many wimpy, spineless husbands do you see on TV? More than we would like to admit, I’m sure. Men who are more concerned with the views and considerations of others rather than their own spouses, makes for good TV but not good marriages. Men are supposed to be leaders, but all too often we see them deferring to their wives to make decisions for their families. Then of course chaos ensues with the inevitable blame game.

There are just some serious fallacies that TV marriages portray, and my fear is that there is some young couple out there that thinks this is how it is in reality. Then imagine their surprise when their marriage is nothing like what they have seen. In fact, it’s much harder. Marriage requires effort, selflessness, and patience. These are qualities not often found in our society today.

We have done a lot of budget cutting around our house lately. Getting rid of unnecessary expenses and trimming costs wherever we could. Most recently we canceled our satellite television subscription in favor of Netflix. We are able to stream it through our Nintendo Wii via a wireless router with high speed internet. The cost is nearly a fifth of what we were paying for satellite television.

We love it for several reasons. One, it has parental controls, like our satellite programming did. This allows us to censor what our kids have access to watch. We can also choose, when we sign in, to go to regular Netflix, or choose Netflix for Kids. Another great feature is that we can add shows to our Instant Queue, allowing them to show up at the top of the listings for quick selection. There are several categories of programming to choose from, ranging from kids’ cartoons to documentaries and new release movies.

One of the best features is NO COMMERCIALS. This is probably our favorite feature. We can watch shows in their entirety without commercial ads or breaks in less time than if we were watching them on regular television. We also love that there are entire series archived on Netflix, so if we didn’t catch something on network television when it was airing, or we got interested midway through a series, we can go back and watch it from the beginning.

Probably best of all, though, we love the money we’re saving each month by going this route. We have access to a ton of programming for much less money, and that’s a definite plus for the budget.

For many years the game of bingo has been seen as the pastime of children and the elderly. Those who aren’t really familiar with the game may view it as dull or tedious but for those devoted to the game, bingo is serious business. Due to the inception of the Internet, it is now easier than ever for a person to locate and participate in a bingo game through many online casino websites.

Before jumping online and going to the first site you find, it is best to do a little research. As with any other business there are fake sites waiting to take your money. Most sites offer the option to play online bingo for free and some offer the option to play with some of your money for better prizes. Caution is needed to be sure you aren’t taken in by a fake site waiting to take your money. This is where reviews by people using the various online bingo sites can be a big help. Every legitimate site has a section for user reviews. These will supply you with all the information you need for comparing the differences in the sites, their special offers, competition information and happenings in the bingo world. These are, in essence, a one-stop review area and information center for online game players.

A reliable interview will cover all of the essentials including which are the most trustworthy and genuine online game sites, different gaming policies, bonuses and perks. One reliable site for reviews is Bingo Social. They cover all of the points mentioned in relation to a large variety of online casino sites. They give high marks to a couple particular sites such as Skyvegas.com and Go Wild Casino. If you are just starting out in the online bingo world they are good, reliable places to start.

Costa Bingo arrived on the Internet in June of 2009 and is one of the most popular and trustworthy online bingo sites. They offer over a dozen bingo rooms, over three dozen game variations and is the largest online bingo site providing players with free play and cash prizes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sing Bingo has a musical premise and arrived in July of 2010. They offer free play and affordable paid bingo as well in an organized layout and new player get a 200% signing bonus. Do your research and enjoy the world of online bingo. For those who enjoy more traditional casino games like slots and black jack, 888Casino and Bet365 really are the best option online. No matter where you choose to play, you will enjoy the world of online gambling and the entertainment it offers.

As a literary journalist, I love to spend my days reading health journals, medical news reports, and keeping up with the latest home remedies and natural cures. I watch Dr. Oz every single day and I have ready pretty much every book ever released on staying young, preventing cancer, and maintaining your health. Still, I wound up needing surgery. Last month, I faced surgery to remove some non-cancerous polyps in my gastrointestinal tract as a preventive measure. Colon cancer seems to have an unnatural tendency to run in my family. Almost all of my grandmother’s brothers and sisters have had it. They have all beat it but still that fear of cancer grips me and when they found the polyps I was scared to death at first. When I finally got the test results that it was noncancerous I was thrilled but knew that I would still have to have surgery to remove polyps that were too high to reach during a colonoscopy.

The gastroenterologist wanted to get the surgery done as soon as possible so I jumped in and made my appointment. I booked a pre-op appointment and soon the surgeon explained that I would be fully sedated and all he would do is make a small incision in my stomach and go take the polyps out. Once they were out they would stitch me up and I would only have to spend a couple of nights in the hospital. He said while I stayed at the hospital my pain would be managed by morphine and other drugs as we saw fit and as my pain level went up or down. He said for pain management at home, I would be given a prescription for a pain reliever called Tramadol, also sometimes called Ultram.

At first I was really resistant to the fact that I would have to buy Ultram or any other prescription pain reliever. I had heard the horror stories about pain medications and the addictions they sometimes caused. The surgeon eased my fears. He said that the medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain and that it was a great pain reliever for many people. He said that Tramadol was less addictive than most pain medications and it has lower side effects, which usually only include constipation and nausea. The more he told me the more I knew and hoped that this pain medication would work for me and my particular surgery.

Days passed and I had the surgery. Luckily they got all the polyps out and there was no sign of any kind of problem. I only stayed in the hospital for one day before they let me go. When I got home I started taking the Tramadol every six hours. I was never in pain as long as I took the Tramadol. I was amazed at how well it helped with surgery pain. I have told all my friends and family that if they have surgery they should consider asking their doctor about Tramadol as it works wonderfully and helped in my pain management after my surgery.

I was able to buy my pain medication through an online pharmacy. I also learned that you could buy Ultracet and Tamiflu online. My husband even decided to buy Fioricet online when it was prescribed to him because it is so much simpler to have the medication shipped straight to your home instead of waiting in long lines at the pharmacy.

Hot tubs are a great invention. I can’t say enough good things about them. I’ve got an outdoor sauna set up on a patio in the backyard and one of those two person whirlpool bath tubs in the house. During the week, I’m inside; on the weekends, I’m outside. You can’t call me an armchair quarterback, since I’m almost never on the couch when I watch the games. Nope, I watch my shows and games from the comfort that only hot tubs can provide.

The wife likes her soaps, and when I’m out working during the day, she’s usually mixing her bubble baths with her shows. I don’t go for the frou-frou smelly stuff, but I’ll put in some Epsom salts every now and again. A man who works hard deserves some relaxation. Whirlpool tubs and a couple of cold ones to go with my shows are just the thing.

I’m definitely a prime-time man; I’m not much for the fancy extra channel shows. Give me some “NCIS” or “Bones” any day. Shoot, I’d watch “American Idol” before some of those others. I get a kick out of watching “Survivor” while my bathtubs jets are going. Give me an honest day’s work and you can keep the fifteen minutes of fame. I’m happy right here, even if I don’t have one of the corner bathtubs that seat five. Me and the wife do just fine in our hot tub for two, watching the latest installment in “House” or her favorite “Grey’s Anatomy”.  Yes, I will admit that I watch McHunky or whatever his name is.  But I only watch it as an excuse to sit in the hot tub with my wife.  Do you blame me?

Now, I have thought about adding one of those Saunatec Saunas I saw advertised a while back. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but then I found out that you can buy them with built-in TVs and satellite radio, and I was sold. Going to be a while before we get it, but I’ve already got the spot in the backyard picked out for it. I figure one of those nice little Saunatec Saunas will look real pretty next to the garden shed. Be a nice change from the whirlpool bath tubs every now and again. If I can keep the kids out of it.

For now, though, I like the Whirlpool tubs and the TV setup we’ve already got. Even bought a projector and screen for the backyard so we can have Superbowl parties complete with hot tubs. Gets a bit crowded, but I can share for one night. Eventually, we’ll upgrade the hall bath with one of those corner tubs so the wife gets her fix, and one of these days I’ll have my sauna. It’s a good life.

Spring 2011 is an exciting time in the music world.  There are many great new albums hitting the charts and competing for a place on the billboards.  Here is a glance at the top 3 songs that are expected to stay at the top throughout the spring.

1. “Old Alabama” by Brad Paisley

If you have been listening to country music during the past decade, you have heard of Brad Paisley. This country music sensation is a true triple threat. He plays a mean guitar, writes amazing songs, and has a voice that can make any girl swoon. The fact that he is cute and has a fantastic personality doesn’t hurt either. As soon as Paisley released his newest single, Old Alabama, everyone knew it was going to be a hit. Not only did Paisley manage to write a catchy tune, he also managed to coax the band members of the legendary band Alabama out of retirement to lend their vocals to the song.

2. “Collide” by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow

When he released his new album last winter, Kid Rock was took a huge chance. He veered from his usual style that involved a lot of cursing, sex, and hip hop, and released an album that is more family friendly. His hope is that he will be able to appeal to a more country audience. Some people are going to love his new sound, and others are going to long for his old style. Love it or hate it, the new sound does provide Kid Rock with the opportunity to show off his great voice. For the spring/summer of 2011, Rock released the powerful duet, Collide, performed with Sheryl Crow. Sang in a bittersweet tone, the song is about seeing one another’s flaws, accepting them, and living in a moment. The song is bound to resonate with lots of people.

3. “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga

Long before it was released, the music industry was talking about Lady Gaga’s single, Born this Way.  Now that the song has gained attention of fans, Gaga is working on releasing other versions of the song with the hope that it will appeal to people who listen to different genres of music. Many young children have related to the song’s lyrics, and all over YouTube there are videos of kids showcasing their own version of the song.

Jodi Picoult has created a huge following for herself by crafting stories that make people think, evoke emotions that many of us would rather not feel, and developing well rounded characters. Many of her stories contain a surprise at the end that no one ever saw coming. While Picoult’s novels are not always light reading they are always well written.  Picoult’s latest offering is Sing You Home and just like the title indicates it is a novel that relies heavily on music and the relationships that are established by music.

The first thing you are going to notice when you start to read Sing You Home is Picoult’s writing voice. It makes sense that she would write a book about music when her own style is so lyrical. Not only are her sentences thought invoking, but she is also one of those rare authors who have the unique ability to make sentences flow effortlessly into one another. You can literally hear a voice whispering in your head as your read the printed word.

Like most of the stories that Picoult pens, this is not one that all people are going to be comfortable with. It begins as a tale about a woman, Zoe, whose greatest wish is to be a mother but whose body simply does not seem to be up for the task; throughout her marriage she has been plagued with miscarriages.

Her husband is struggling with his own issues and has accepted the fact that children are not a part of their future. While he works his way through his problems, Zoe turns to music and her job as a music therapist of help get her through. She also continues to explore fertility options. She also builds a relationship with one of her patients, a teenage girl who flirts with suicide.

In addition to exploring motherhood and fertility, the book also takes a long look at sexual orientation. Part of the book deals with the fact that as of right now, Massachusetts is the only state that has legalized same sex marriages.

Like all of Picoult’s books, this is one that is going to force you to use your brain and really think about your issues. It deals with topics that are currently considered very controversial throughout the entire country. It is the kind of book that is not a cozy read, but rather one that is designed to spark exuberant conversations and debates.