Is It Cool to be a Redneck?

For years, Jeff Foxworthy managed to create an entire career out of redneck jokes.  Although many folks enjoyed his humor, I would never have considered being a redneck the cool thing to do.  However, so many reality shows have popped up lately focusing on... well... less than classy southern behavior, I am starting to believe it is actually in style to be a redneck now.

If you don't believe me, let me give you an example of just some of the many shows that highlight southern living:

Duck Dynasty
Swamp People
Cajun Justice
Buckwild (cancelled due to death of cast member)
Deep South Paranormal
Myrtle Manor

This is a reasonably short list.  There are shows one could argue are considered rather redneck, like Honey Boo Boo's show and even Teen Mom.  Reality shows featuring southern life (often at its worst) are popping up all over the place. 

So why is this happening?  Are people in the south finally getting a chance to have their own television programs?  Is it genuinely cool to be a redneck now?  Is it really rednecks watching these shows, or are the viewers really people looking down upon the cast members and having a good laugh at their expense?  My guess would be it is a combination of the two.

No matter what, the cast members in these shows are walking away with a lot of money.  Most of them are doing better than the rest of us financially if their shows are a hit, so maybe they are really getting the last laugh.

Get Ready for Some Classic Real World Episodes this Weekend!

I am not sure if someone at MTV could hear my hopes and my dreams, but for some reason, I am being delighted with the return of some old school Real World episodes this weekend.  Yes, for all you fans out there that loved the original Real World episodes (the best episodes, I daresay!), you can enjoy them this weekend.  For those of you that never got to see the original seasons, sit back and have fun!

Starting Friday night at 8 PM, the original New York episodes from about 20 years ago are going to be running throughout the night.  Later on in the weekend, viewers can watch San Francisco and Las Vegas episodes.  To be honest, I am a little disappointed that I don't see season 2, Los Angeles, on the list, but I will deal with it.  I am so excited to my New York peeps from the past!  And maybe... just maybe, I would not mind seeing Puck from the San Francisco episodes.

If you are interested in seeing one of the first reality shows, you should check out the Real World on MTV this weekend.  If you hate reality TV and blame the Real World for it, you might want to stay away from MTV this weekend.  For me, I will be eagerly awaiting 8 o'clock tomorrow night!

Make a Man Basket for Easter!

Easter is a sweet time filled with bunnies, chickies, and pastel decorations.  Unfortunately, dudes feel a little left out of the deal.  Where are the masculine Easter baskets?  Why is everything so feminine?  Well, it doesn't have to be that way!

Yes, it is possible to make a manly Easter basket.  All you need is a dark colored basket, or even better... an Easter bucket that has a camouflage pattern or a football shaped basket, and then add some masculine items to it.  For instance, pretty much all guys like candy.  Make sure to get candy that is gender neutral.  What guy doesn't want some chocolate Cadbury Eggs and Reese's peanut butter eggs?

While we are on the subject of adding masculine Easter products to the man basket, let's not forget other items guys really like: video games, DVDs, sports related stuff, and other "dude" items.  You can potentially make the manliest Easter basket ever!

 

Manly plastic eggs and stress balls!



The Lay's Do Us a Flavor Finalists

Finally, the Lay's Do Us a Flavor contest winners' chips are available at stores.  You can purchase the chips and then vote on Facebook for your favorite. 

The three finalists are:

Cheesy Garlic Bread by Karen Weber-Mendham

Chicken & Waffles by Christina Abu-Judom

Sriracha by Tyler Raineri

My personal favorite is the Chicken & Waffles flavor chips.  They taste almost like an entire Thanksgiving meal on a chip!  I swear you can even taste the stuffing.  Delicious!

For those of you that enjoy spicy chips, Sriracha might be the flavor for you.  It is spicy, yet sour at the same time.  I personally find the Cheesy Garlic Bread chips to be a little strong for me, but I know several people that love them.  It seems as if they opted to use really strong cheese on the chip.

It is time to check out these Lay's Do Us a Flavor chips while they last.  There can only be one winner, so you might want to stock up on your favorite flavor in case it doesn't win.  Make sure to vote for your favorite flavor as well. 

Best Week Ever is BACK!!!

If your life has been just a little empty and sad since VH1 stopped showing Best Week Ever, well I have news for you!  Best Week Ever is back on VH1.  Yes, if you happen to be home on a Friday night (or alert in the mornings during the weekend when it is rerun), you can enjoy Best Week Ever again.

No longer are we forced to rely on just The Soup when it comes to catching up with pop culture.  We can now enjoy the snarky sense of humor Best Week Ever offers.  Each week, we will get to hear about terrible reality shows, celebrity gossip, and ridiculous television programs.  Thank goodness!  The world just wasn't the same with Best Week Ever gone.  Thanks, VH1!

SongPop on Your Mobile Device

Are you ready to play a game that will enable you to never move off your couch again?  Do you want to play a game that will make you neglect everyone in your life?  Are you tired of having a clean house and you would prefer to just let everything dusty while you play a totally useless music game?

Well, great!  I have the game for you! It is called SongPop and it will be your new addiction.  The game is quite simple.  You can download it to any mobile device and you challenge others to the game.  It is like playing Name That Tune, but at a much faster pace. 

You can choose from playlists like 80s Collection, 90s Alternative, Classic Rock, Classic Rap, Modern Rap, Today's Hits, Alternative Country, Musicals, Nostalgic 20s - 60s, Love Songs, Modern Country, and many more.  You can battle against people you do not know or battle against your Facebook friends.  Within no time, you will no longer check your phone for texts or emails or calls.  You will check for SongPop challenges.  Your life is about to change!

The best part of the app is it is totally free unless you want to pay so the game will be commercial-free and you can hear longer samples.  You are about to embark on a new journey in your life... the SongPop journey!

Smoothies Aren't Just For Health Nuts

If you are like me, you probably hear the word "smoothie" and you think, "Blah... healthy!"  I am here to tell you, that does not have to be true!  Yes, my friends, it is possible to make a smoothie that is totally unhealthy. 

I have a new blender and I have become inspired to make delicious and fairly unhealthy smoothies.  Most smoothies typically have milk or coconut water.  You can add healthy items like yogurt or a banana or kale.  But just because you add those healthy items, doesn't mean you can add some equally unhealthy items.  If you want that smoothie to taste great, you'd better count on adding some stuff that is not that healthy.

Some totally unhealthy stuff you can add to a banana smoothie are:

Chocolate syrup
Caramel syrup
Vanilla extract
Coffee creamer - any flavor!
Whipped cream
Ice cream
Sherbet
Flavored instant coffee
Alcohol
Sugar
Peanut  butter
Crumbled pieces of cake or cookies
And much, much more!

If you can put it in a blender, you can add it to a smoothie.  I would not recommend adding all these items at the exact same time, but you can add a few at a time.  Don't stop until you have made the most delicious smoothie ever.  Just don't bother counting the calories... I assure you it will be too depressing.  Have fun!

Want some fresh breath?  Check out How to Eat a Tic Tac the Right Way

Happy New Year!

Although 2012 was an interesting year in many ways, most folks are happy it is over.  It doesn't seem like anyone was having the best year ever, so let us move on to 2013.  Happy New Year!!!

In January 2013, we can look forward to a new season of Mob Wives returning to VH1.  We can also look forward to some cool movies being released at the theater, such as A Haunted House and Mama.  Yes, already 2013 is shaping up to be a good year for entertainment.

In 2013, I will be trying out many new smoothie recipes to share with readers.  If you think about it, smoothies are the ultimate food for the couch potatoes of the world.  You don't even have to bother with chewing!  Why focus on all that work when operating the remote control already takes so much energy?

Happy New Year!