BG News: Entertainment

Album Review: DJ Khaled "We The Best Forever"

2011-08-02T23:21:56Z

Grade | C

After releasing four albums in five years, Miami-based DJ Khaled returns with his major label debut album (and fifth overall) "We the Best Forever."
Despite his lengthy track record of summer smash hits, his four previous records were released on the independent label E1 Music (formerly know as Koch Records).
Last August the DJ, famous for hits like "All I Do Is Win" and "I'm So Hood," announced that his latest album will be released on hip-hop's current powerhouse Cash Money Records.
And as you would expect, Khaled's new partnership with the label that is most famous for introducing the world to rapper Dwayne Carter Jr., Khaled's guest list is dominated by the Young Money/Cash Money crew.
The usual suspects like T-Pain, Akon, Bun B, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy all make appearances too, but it is the YMCMB rappers who take up much of the record. Most notable being the album and the summer's biggest hit, "I'm On One" which features Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, with production handled by Drake's production team of Noah "40" Shebib and T-Minus.
The song features another stellar performance by Drake, who out raps his mentor and uses a lackadaisical flow which doesn't quite execute tongue-in-cheek punch lines like "I'm a made n*****, I should dust something" like he used to.
Lil Wayne however gives a much more inspired performance on the lead-single, "Welcome to My Hood."
Now one might ask, what it is that DJ Khaled does on his albums, and it certainly isn't a stupid question at all.
It isn't rare for a DJ to release a compilation type album, like Khaled does almost annually, but those DJs typically produce and make beats on those albums. DJ Khaled does not rap and outside of a couple of co-production credits, does not make beats either.
What Khaled does is take the traditional disc jockey role to an almost unprecedented measure. DJs used to make promotional mixtapes, collecting the hottest tracks from rappers and release them to the public. Khaled does this on a much larger scale, collecting today's hottest rappers and having them collaborate to make huge anthems. Now how successful he is at doing so on "We the Best Forever" is debatable. While "I'm On One" will go down as one of Khaled's biggest hits to date, he very rarely matches that mark.
The two Lex Luger produced tracks, "Money" and "I'm Thuggin'" which feature Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Waka Flocka Flame not only sound like every other song the young producer has made but also very stale and unoriginal.
The missteps continue when lesser interesting rappers appear on tracks like "A Million Lights," which features Kevin Rudolf on a hook and an assortment of weed carriers-turned rappers such as Tyga, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and Cory Gunz.
And if Ace Hood, Meek Mill, Big Sean and even the once promising Wale really are hip-hop's up-and-comers as they claim to be on "Future," then maybe we should leave the DeLorean in park.
"We the Best Forever" promises block buster summer hits, and while there are a few keepers like the B.o.B and Akon pairing on "My Life" and the Busta Rhymes, The Game and Cee-Lo banger, "Sleep When I'm Gone," overall Khaled and his many collaborators fail to deliver.

Media Reviews: FEMME FATALE TOUR

2011-08-02T23:15:58Z

HEADLINER | BRITNEY SPEARS
OPENING ACT | NICKI MINAJ
VENUE | THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS, AUBURN HILLS, MICH.
GRADE | A

For anyone who has followed Britney Spears' career from the Catholic school girl days, this is a very exciting time. The Princess of Pop is once again smiling.
In 2009 during The Circus Tour, Spears seemed to have a case of "time to make the donuts," just going with the motions of the show, not really enjoying a second of it. The tour was her return to music after years of bad headlines.
But if there is anything a Britney fan has learned, it's the importance of baby steps.
The Femme Fatale Tour, promoting her seventh album of the same name, seems to be her best work since her "Toxic" days.
It opens with a secret agent on the hunt for Britney, who returns throughout the show. Shortly after the camera pans to her to seductively whisper, "I'm not that innocent," the crowd erupted into cheers as Britney slowly walked onstage for her first number, "Hold It Against Me."
The show follows a story line of Britney on the run through the set list featuring most of the "Femme Fatale" album.
During "Big Fat Bass," she jumps from one giant speaker to another with Will.i.am on the screen. For "How I Roll," she danced on top of a pink Mini Cooper with a stripper pole in the trunk. And for "(Drop Dead) Beautiful," R-rated images of naked men flashed across the screen while she paraded the stage.
The show was energetic from the start, and Spears showed no sign of slowing down. Wearing a sparkling pink bra and jean shorts for most of the show, the pop star, pushing 30-years-old, gave the audience motivation for a new diet plan.
And the show featured some live vocals unlike the lipsynced Circus Tour.
The most exciting parts of the show were her numbers for older hits, like performing "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know" in a swing or "I'm A Slave 4 U," which featured the original choreography from the 2001 music video.
Britney is back, and anyone who doesn't think so hasn't yet seen the Femme Fatale Tour.
Opener Nicki Minaj did well to get the crowd ready for Britney. Her montage of original songs and some of her biggest verses (Kanye West's "Monster," Trey Songz's "Bottom's Up") got the crowd on their feet.
She danced all over the stage in a blonde wig with Jigsaw, the well-known character from the "Saw" movies on the screen, which was never really explained.
The crowd was especially loud when she yelled into the microphone, "Where are all my girls? ... Where are all my gay boys?" There weren't very many straight boys in the Palace from the looks of it.

Homemade ice cream recipes provide perfect heat relief, cure end-of-summer blues

2011-08-02T23:12:39Z

Even though outside temperatures say fall is far, far away, for me it is almost here.
As the next semester quickly approaches, I'm determined to make these last few weeks of summer count.
There are still so many tomatoes to be harvested, cookbooks to be read and recipes to try. But before I trade in my tank tops for my "teaching" dresses, there's one summery thing left I must do: homemade ice cream.
Sure, ice cream's good all year round, but it always tastes better on a blistering hot, sunny day.
My ice cream obsession started when two good friends told me about a gazpacho they ordered during a trip to Philly that came with avocado ice cream as a garnish. Immediately my wheels started turning. I must replicate it. But how actually does one make avocado ice cream?
Ice cream goddess Jeni Britton Bauer, owner of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams who hails from Columbus, recently released a cookbook for making artisan ice creams at home. However, to avoid giving half my paycheck to Amazon every month, I check out library copies before buying books, and I'm pretty sure I'm still 35th in line for "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home."
Luckily, the August/September issue of "Saveur" dedicated a sweet little spread to this favorite summertime dessert and shared the base recipe that serves as "the starting point for any ice cream." On the opposite page journalist Ben Mims reviews some of the ways for making ice cream without a machine.
Now I'm in business.
All I need is the avocado and these precious last few weeks of summer to experiment.

Headline-grabbing antics overshadowed Winehouse's talent

2011-07-27T04:11:17Z

They tried to make her go to rehab, but she kept saying "no, no, no!"
It may have been a humorous anecdote back in 2006, but the death of Amy Winehouse last weekend reminded us all how cruel the life of fame can be.
Winehouse, who became popular in the states after her album "Back To Black" won five Grammys, was found dead in her London home. The news outlets labeled it as "Breaking News," but it was nowhere near shocking.
Since her rise to fame, Amy has been no stranger to controversy. She was the ultimate party girl back in 2007, putting Paris, Lindsay and Britney to shame. She publicly battled addictions to drugs and alcohol and has entered rehab more times than I can keep track of.
Fans of her solid "Back to Black" had something to look forward to in 2011. Her management continued to ensure the public that Amy was well again, a new album was hinted at and her comeback tour was scheduled.
Needless to say, things in Amy's life took a turn, and the world lost an extraordinary talent.
Her smooth, soulful voice was the hook. Her jazzy, bluesy pop songs were unlike anything else on the radio at the time. Paired together, "Back To Black," scored a near-perfect score from RollingStone magazine making many different "Best of the Decade" lists..
Her career looked promising, but a downward spiral concerning drugs, alcohol and fame took over, stealing Winehouse away before fans got any more music. "Back To Black" will go down as Winehouse's best work and rightfully so. It's a beautiful piece of work, mostly about love turned into turmoil.
And it's a shame that she became such a punchline while she was alive. If only she were remembered for what she was great at.
She now joins Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison as musicians not only dying young but at the age of 27.
Looking back, it is easy to see how the lyrics in her biggest hit, "Rehab," were a desperate cry for help.

During her short career, Winehouse left a legacy through her music

2011-07-27T04:09:41Z

Although Amy Winehouse was only 27 when she died, she left a legacy in the musical world.
Her 2006 album, "Back to Black" was a critically-acclaimed piece of R&B and soul perfection. The album earned Winehouse five Grammys in 2008 and helped her gain fame beyond her native England.
Winehouse's public battles with substance abuse and addiction often overshadowed her music as she became a tabloid magnet. While her inner demons were on display for the world and were a major part of her public persona, they also helped her develop emotional, often heartbreakingly-relatable songs. Here are some of the standout songs Winehouse released during her career:
"In My Bed" -- Don't get too comfortable with Winehouse, as she assures a man that his place isn't guaranteed by her side. This smooth, slinky tune uses the beat of Nas' "Made You Look," and features a flute solo that would make Ron Burgundy envious. (On "Frank," her 2003 debut)
"You Know I'm No Good" -- One of her well-known songs, Winehouse combines a jazzy horn section with a pulsing hip-hop beat to mourn a toxic relationship. "I told you I was trouble," she sings to her lover, and possibly to the world at large. You can't say she didn't warn us of her demons. (On "Back to Black")
"F*** Me Pumps" -- An ode to attention-grabbing club girls, Winehouse uses cheeky lyrics ("At least your breasts cost more than hers") to honor those who seek the spotlight. "Without girls like you, there's no nightlife, all those men just go home to their wives," she sings, bringing to light the entertaining, if seedy side of club life. (On "Frank")
"Love Is A Losing Game" -- This is the sound of heartbreak. A defeated Winehouse counts her losses with love and realizes it's a game "laughed at by the gods" after a brutal breakup. (On "Back to Black")
"Tears Dry On Their Own" -- Winehouse takes a sample of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's Motown hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to create an amazingly catchy kiss-off to men. Her booming voice helps assure the listener that she is strong and that she will "be [her] own best friend, not f*** herself in the head with stupid men." This song shows that she can craft a masterpiece that sounds both current and classic. (On "Back To Black")

Album Review: "The Light of the Sun" by Jill Scott

2011-07-27T04:04:06Z

Grade: B+

It seems like 2011 has been a year dominated by women with singers like Adele, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and several other female stars dominating the charts.
Philadelphia soul singer Jill Scott can now be added to that list with her first No. 1 album, "The Light of the Sun."
"Sun" blends many of Miss Scott's talents, which include her sultry vocals, exceptional songwriting, spoken word poetry and even a little rapping on the opening track, "Blessed."
While she is most notable for making soul and jazz music, Scott is no stranger to the hip-hop world, as one of her first big breaks in the industry came by way of co-writing the Grammy-winning single, "You Got Me" with Philly legends, The Roots.
And there are many hip-hop moments on Scott's fourth LP, including the Eve-assisted "Shame" and brilliant "All Cried Out Redux," which features a beat box from '80s hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh, as well as the jazzy improvisational piano playing and scat singing.
Stand out cut, "Le BOOM Vent Suite" also thrives by displaying Scott's abilities to blend jazz and hip-hop, with a beautiful jazzy breakdown that makes the eight-plus minute song still feel too short.
The album's up-beat songs like the Anthony Hamilton featured lead single "So in Love" and "Quick" seem to be the strong points of the record, and the slower ballads like "Hear My Call" tend to drag and are less interesting.
Scott's spoken-word poetry on various tracks are also high points of the record. On "Some Other Time" she candidly talks about a new love. And on "Quick," which is possibly about her brief marriage, Scott bears her soul and comes off extremely genuine.
Scott may not exactly fit in with most of the women who top the charts today, but she definitely is a welcomed alternative.
Like she says on the women-empowering spoken word, "Womanifesto," "I am gifted. I am all of this, and indeed, the s***. Clearly, I am not just an ass."

Movie Review: Captain America

2011-07-27T04:00:25Z

Grade: A

Captain America earns his stripes.
In what is being hailed as the best Marvel movie to date "Captain America: The First Avenger" provides a well-developed story backed by great performances from stars Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving.
"Captain America: The First Avenger" follows the story of Steve Rogers (Evans) an ambitious young man who wants nothing more than to prove his worth and fight alongside his friends in the U.S. Army during World War II. Unfortunately for Rogers he is short and scrawny and cannot be a soldier. Enter Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) who offers Rogers the chance to fight. With the help of Dr. Erskine's Super- Soldier serum he becomes the perfect soldier faster, stronger and "taller."
The Caps foe for his first installment is the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), the leader of Hydra, the secret science division of the Nazi regime with the task of fueling Hitler's obsession with the a-cult. But the Red Skull has no intentions of helping Hitler rule the world when he himself can do the very same. With this threat at hand it is Captain America's duty to stop the Red Skull at any cost.
"Captain America: The First Avenger" provides a gritty realistic Marvel experience with a world that feels lived in and characters that have a realistic connection with each other and the audience.
One of the most dynamic parts of the movie was the relationship between Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and Steve Rogers. Even though the two rarely reveal their love for each other, in the moments they do it doesn't feel like acting, it's something more than that. Considering that every super hero movie has some kind of love interest, this is one that seems to be a little more special than the others.
There was some speculation about how well Chris Evans would do in the film, already having played the Human Torch in the "Fantastic Four" franchise, with myself included. But I have to admit in Evan's biggest role to date he pulled it off miraculously and provided his best acting performance yet.
I would definitely put the Captain America up at the top of the list for best movie of the year and possibly best Marvel movie, but it's a close race with "X-Men: First Class."
I strongly encourage those who read this review and go to the movie to stick around after the credits.

Movie Review: Friends with Benefits

2011-07-27T03:55:30Z

Grade: B+

In a 1991 episode of "Seinfeld," Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) toy with doing the dirty as friends. But eventually, their plan falls apart and they struggle to maintain their original relationship. To salvage their friendship, they stop having sex. The episode is a fan favorite thanks to great writing and chemistry between Seinfeld and Louis-Dreyfus.
On the contrary, 20 years later, the theme of casual sex among friends is becoming a fatally overused gimmick.
Boy meets girl. Boy and girl want sex but not a relationship. Boy and girl think they can be sexually active friends but -- surprise! -- their emotions get in the way. Mix in conflict followed by "happy ever after" and you've got a romantic comedy.
"Friends with Benefits" follows that predictable theme, but incorporates a suave and smart scenario. NYC-based corporate headhunter Jamie (Mila Kunis) recruits LA-based media art director Dylan (Justin Timberlake) to work at Manhattan's GQ magazine. Like "Seinfeld's" Jerry and Elaine, Dylan and Jamie think they've devised a fool-proof plan for casual sex.
Insert conflict followed by "happy ever after" and the formula is set.
But there is a notable and redeeming similarity between the "Seinfeld" pair and the "Friends with Benefits" pair: chemistry. Kunis and Timberlake are sexy and silly together.
Using a Bible iPad app, Jamie makes Dylan swear that they won't have any feelings connected with the sex. As iPad users know, the screen rotation is challenging when two people try to use it together. Kunis and Timberlake are hysterical as they try to make it work. This technology also makes the film chic and modern.
Sex is obviously expected in a movie about sex, but the raunchiness is not sloppy like in "No Strings Attached" - a comparison "Friends with Benefits" can't avoid. The Ashton Kutcher/Natalie Portman flick was more like a porno than a comedy. Kunis and Timberlake accomplish the difficult task of keeping sex romantic, funny and graceful on the big screen.
The movie is not free of clichés. Dylan jokes about corny music in romantic comedies despite the second half of the film being filled with traditional lovey-dovey melodies. It's almost parodying itself. Not to mention the use of flash mob sequences that warrant huge eye rolls.
Though "Friends with Benefits" shows the universally realized symptoms of casual sex, a smart script and character chemistry mesh for a fun fling at the movies.

Even daring eaters may draw the line at eating shark

2011-07-27T03:52:03Z

Chicken feet, Rocky Mountain Oysters and lamb heart: I will try anything once. I might not finish it or like it enough to crave it, but I'll try it. And such was the case with shark.
At the age of eight, I was a proud member of the Clean Plate Club. If memory serves me right, as long as the portions were reasonable, I could polish off every last crumb of my breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Until one fateful summer evening at my dad's house in Florida.
I was visiting from Ohio for a few weeks as part of my parents' custody arrangements. Eating in Florida was exciting; there were fresh shrimp, scallops and oysters. And at this time in their lives, my dad and step-mom were adventurous cooks.
My brother, sister and I scooted in our chairs and fidgeted with our napkins. We were a little anxious about that evening's main course -- shark. I was willing to try it, but I wasn't all that excited about it. What I knew about sharks came from "Jaws," the "Shark Attack" board game and news reports of bitten beach-goers who lived to tell their harrowing tales.
I have no clue how the shark fillets were procured or if they were on sale at the supermarket. All I recall is the rubbery texture and overwhelming fishy taste that was my first bite of shark. I added salt and tried again. Still rubbery. Still fishy. I picked at the ridges in the flesh and moved pieces to look like I was eating. Needless to say, I didn't clean my plate that night, which meant I couldn't be excused until I did so. For hours, the shark fillet and I sat together at the kitchen table -- its flesh the exact grey of dirty dishwater. Every now and then a breeze would tickle the fronds of the palm tree outside the kitchen's windows.
Maybe it's this memory or what I learn during Shark Week or perhaps it's the controversy that surrounds shark-fin soup, but I'd rather collect shark teeth from a beach's shore than ever eat one again with my own set.

Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week returns with a bite

2011-07-27T03:47:11Z

Sit back, because it's that one week of the year that will make your jaws drop. Shark Week, which airs many specials surrounding sharks, will air on the Discovery Channel next week. New this year, the week of television will be hosted by Chief Shark Officer Andy Samberg, known for Saturday Night Live and his videos with the Lonely Island. Below is a full list of what is to come.

Sunday, July 31
9 p.m.
"Great White Invasion"
10 p.m.
"Jaws Comes Home"

Monday, Aug. 1
9 p.m.
"Rogue Sharks"
10 p.m.
"Summer of the Shark"

Tuesday, Aug. 2
9 p.m.
"Killer Sharks"

Wednesday, Aug. 3
9 p.m.
"How Sharks Hunt"

Thursday, Aug. 4
9 p.m.
"Shark City"

Album Review: "If Not, Now, When?" By: Incubus

2011-07-19T22:39:10Z

Grade: B-
After a five-year hiatus, Incubus has returned with "If Not Now, When?," their first album of newly recorded material since 2006's "Light Grenades." It is lead vocalist/songwriter Brandon Boyd's and Incubus' tamest effort to date.
While some longtime fans may be off put by the band's softer side, Boyd's songwriting thrives on standout cuts like "The Original" and "Friends and Lovers."
There aren't really any skippers on the album except the Beach House sounding, apocalyptic final track, "Tomorrow's Food," but there aren't all that many great moments either.
The main problem with "If Not Now, When?" is how safe the once progressively experimental band is playing.
Outside of the Pink Floyd-esque, but excellent "In the Company of Wolves," Incubus sticks to pretty basic song structures and arrangements.
In the early 2000s many bands experimented with blending hip-hop influence with their music by using a turntablist, and Incubus was actually one of the few bands to execute it properly.
On "If Not Now, When?" however, there isn't much genre blending outside of the album's hardest hitting and arguably best track "Switch Blade." The up beat track is perfectly placed after the slower seven-minute-plus "Company of Wolves" and has some excellent hip-hop influenced drums blended with frantic guitar playing.
Overall this album would be seen as a good album for most bands but will probably disappoint longtime fans who've been waiting five years for new material.
Once the excitement of having new Incubus music fades, fans will most likely be underwhelmed by this record.

Television Show Review: "The Bachelorette"

2011-07-19T22:32:12Z

Grade: C
This season, "The Bachelorette" had high hopes for the dentist from Maine, Ashley Hebert, to find her true love the second time around. America knows Hebert as the emotional mess from the last season of "The Bachelor" when she was rejected by Brad Womack in the ninth rose ceremony.
Hebert claimed to keep her emotions in check this season. However, her insecurities soon got the best of her fueled by the fame hungry, bad boy contestant Bentley Williams. Hebert instantly fell for Williams, but he had other intentions that didn't include falling in love. Williams finally decided to end his run for Hebert's heart in saying, "["Bachelor" winner Emily Maynard] was such a standout and Ashley looks like an ugly duckling. I'm going to make her cry. I hope my hair looks OK."
Hebert was so stuck on Williams that it made the audience have a hard time believing that she liked any of the other guys. Her immaturity throughout the show completely lost the respect of the viewers, leaving them bored. The show is now just starting to spark interest. However, it seems too late in the game for Hebert to redeem herself.
With no surprise, contestant Ames Brown was sent home leaving Hebert with the best three bachelors that seem to really connect in their own ways. Last Monday, she seemed really enthusiastic during the hometown visits but especially with the fun loving and outgoing family of Constantine. Hebert seems like she is really starting to fall for these guys ... finally.
Tune in next Monday, when Hebert takes the three remaining guys to Fiji for a romantic getaway. Previews show that this vacation could have its up and downs when Hebert's family shows up to stir some drama. Hopefully Fiji will bring Hebert the love she has been searching for.

Movie Review: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

2011-07-19T22:25:16Z

Grade: A
Using intense battle scenes, breathtaking visuals and emotionally powerful scenes, the final installment of the Harry Potter series doesn't disappoint.
As we come to a close in the Potter saga, it's good to see that we do it in style rather than rush effects and midnight premiere figures. If there's one thing that's been true of the Potter franchise, it's that each film not only represents a different form of artistic and directorial expression but also gets better with age. So to the cast and crew who stuck around through it all, I think I can speak for all of us and give thanks for your talent and contribution.
This may be one of the shortest films in the series (just over two hours), but that may have proved to be its greatest strength. It picks up immediately where part one left off, which throws us right back in the action.
Other than the beginning 15 to 20 minutes, the film is a massive battle scene full of visual marvels and on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments.
But more important than the final battle was the emotional engine that drove the story. This is the final adventure for Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the gang; let's be honest, that makes us insanely sad. We grew up with these characters and for many of us, it defines a portion of our childhood. And after the emotional roller coaster I experienced, I can honestly say that it was brilliant.
David Yates, easily the franchises' best director, does a superb job executing the end of the Potter saga. He knows exactly when to drive emotion home and when to go all out with spells, action and intensity. The cast, phenomenal as usual, doesn't disappoint either.
I couldn't have been happier with the end result of the franchise. I left feeling sad, happy and satisfied. I have to say, one of my favorite scenes was honestly the epilogue, 19 years later. That scene alone is worth the admission price.
Harry Potter has become not only woven itself into our popular culture but has defined generations of imaginations. For some, it was the beginning of something new but for most, it was the final chapter in our childhood and for that, I think we can all say, "mischief managed."

What is Google+?

2011-07-19T22:12:05Z

Remember posts left by your parents on your partying pictures? What about when instructors made a sly comment about your "wild and crazy weekend" just as you remember you are Facebook friends with them? Mom, dad, and professors don't need to see those, but you still want to stay connected to them.
Google wants to make this happen.
Google sets the bar in the computer world. Need to do a search? Google it. Want to send an email? Use Gmail. Checking the headlines? See Google News.
Don't forget: the company also controls the majority of your videos - Google bought YouTube in 2006.
But if you want to socialize online with friends, Google is useless. That is, until now.
Google+ is a social project that Google has been secretly working on for a year.
"We believe online sharing is broken and even awkward," a Google spokesperson said in an interview with TechCrunch.com. "Our online tools are rigid. They force us into buckets or being completely public."
In response, Google+ features functions that fine-tune social networking.

Circles
"Circles are core to our product," the spokesperson said. Users separate others into self-appointed categories or circles. Similar to real-life sharing, you are able to manage who sees what.
For example: odds are you won't want to share a Lady Gaga music video with your 56-year-old biology professor. Still, you want to send "The Edge of Glory" to a friend. Simply drag the video to your "Friends" circle. Only they will be aware of your Gaga obsession.
Technology junkies know group management can be a mess, but Google's circles are simple. It's actually fun.

Hangouts
Hangouts are like a combination of Skype and AOL chat rooms. You can watch YouTube videos and see your friends' reactions via webcam. Whoever speaks the loudest takes center stage.
What used to be an excessive typing problem in chat rooms could now be an excessive screaming problem in hangouts.

Sparks
Sparks is a weaker version of StumbleUpon.com. Users can type in their interests and Google will list relevant results that are more specific than a typical Google search.

Reactions
Despite these features, people at Google said it is a work-in-progress. Thus, it is maintaining a limited trial basis by invite-only. Some students are annoyed that they haven't had the chance to make an account.
"I just want to see what the big deal is. I have Tumblr and Twitter, so I just want to see the difference," said senior Jennifer Chapman. "They shouldn't release any of it until it's 100 percent ready."
Those invited, however, seem to be getting used to the software.
"It doesn't have many distractions, you know, that way I can maintain a real life," freshman Stormi Roelle said. "It's like a combination of Twitter and Facebook, which I like because I'm a junkie for both of them."
Google knows what it's doing. If 13 years of dominating the Internet are any indication, today's social networks are facing a fierce competitor.
Mark Zuckerberg, are you scared?

And the nominees are...

2011-07-19T22:01:48Z

Nominations for television's biggest night, the Emmys, were announced Thursday. As usual, some series raked in the acclades while others were outright snubbed.
It seems as though for every right decision made by the academy voters, they made an equally outlandish one. Judging by reactions I've read on numerous websites, I'm not the only television devotee questioning the voter's decisions.
I'm glad people recognize quality programming like "Mad Men," "Justified" and "Friday Night Lights," the latter nominated for its final season after regularly being shut out. I'm not a regular viewer of these shows, but even though they're not my cup of tea, there's little denying they know how to tell a story.
However, the voters also made some outrageous decisions. For example, "The Walking Dead" and "Community" were completely snubbed in major categories while shows that had weak seasons like "Glee" and "Dexter" were over-nominated. I couldn't help but roll my eyes upon seeing Julia Stiles nominated for "Dexter" as her character helped to make the fifth season of the show lackluster.
By snubbing Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison (both of whom were nominated last year), voters obviously saw a bit of a sophomore slump in "Glee," but yet it was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. The material this year doesn't warrant this award, both due to a decline in quality and comedy (since the show tends to be more dramatic).
The same complaint about a decline in quality also applies to "30 Rock" and "Modern Family." First of all, do all of the adult males on "Modern Family" really deserve nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor? They dominate four of the six positions in the category, which seems incredibly excessive.
The show was rather hit-or-miss this season and yet it still received 17 nominations. Since the Emmys obviously aren't looking at a season as a whole, why couldn't "Community," another show that had a hit-or-miss season, also garner some nominations?
Danny Pudi, in particular, deserves one for his equally hilarious and heartbreaking portrayal of the socially awkward, television-obsessed Abed Nadir (confession: I may be biased since Abed reminds me of myself). "Modern Family" won Outstanding Comedy Series last year for a reason but, as with "Glee," this outing just doesn't warrant all those accolades.
My biggest gripe, though, is the lack of nominations for "Parks and Recreation." After receiving critical acclaim for its near perfect third season, it rightfully received an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination; its star, Amy Poehler, was once again nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Yet the show received no writing nominations which, given the hilarity of the scripts, is robbery, pure and simple.
Nick Offerman was also snubbed for his portrayal of Poehler's gruff libertarian boss, Ron Swanson. Critics and many in Hollywood objected to this oversight and, as Poehler bluntly and accurately told TVLine.com, "... It's a hot load of bulls*** that he didn't get a nomination, and you can quote me on that." It will be heartbreaking if this brilliant show loses to the also-rans it's up against.
Of course, such oversights aren't surprising. The Emmys only nominated what is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest television series of all time, "the Wire," for the occasional writing award. They certainly aren't perfect, and they annoy television fans like me.
Yet those of us who live and breathe television are anxious to see who walks home with the awards Sept. 18.