Bulk Email

The presidential election is like one really big reality show with one really big prize. Every move is analyzed and debated, so it should come as no surprise that Cindy McCain’s new hairdo(s) caused a bit of a stir in the Buzz.

The wife of presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, lowered her locks and cameras took notice. The stately blonde normally keeps her tresses up in a bun, but she showcased not one, but two free-flowing styles this past weekend. In the first, Ms. McCain wore her hair in a casual ponytail. That alone would be news, but wait, there’s more. In the second, she let it hang loose in “cascading waves” (not our words).

Of course, reading too much into this may seem silly, but some contend that there is more to the new hairstyles than meets the eye. An article from the New York Daily News explains that the potential First Lady may be becoming more open-minded about her looks. Or, perhaps, as a stylist contends, the new look is a way to get voters to see her not as an “old teacher or a librarian,” but as a First Lady. Further proof that when it comes to this reality show, everyone really is watching.

Anybody who’s ever had a mom knows what it’s like to wear gobs and gobs of sunscreen: Sticky but (we’re told) necessary. However, a new study reveals that many sunscreens fail to work as advertised. Was Mom wrong all along?

An article from LiveScience breaks it down. According to the Enviormental Working Group (EWG), 80% of the roughly one thousand sunscreens analyzed provide “inadequate protection from the sun or contain harmful chemicals.” Uh, oh. Furthermore, the biggest names in sunscreen (Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena) are allegedly the biggest offenders.

Of course, not everyone agrees with the findings. LiveScience explains that some dermatologists find the report full of hyperbole. Still the article acknowledges that there are some core truths that everyone (not just worried moms) should be aware of. Fortunately, people are paying attention. Not only is the LiveScience article a hit in Buzz, we’ve also noticed surges in lookups for “sunblock spf definition,” “uva vs uvb rays” and “highest spf available.”

That last query is easy enough to answer. As the buzzing exposé notes, if you want true sun protection with a “SPF of 1 zillion,” just wear clothing. It’s simple, effective, and mom would definitely approve.

Searching for definitions online has long been a quick and dirty method to finding meaning. It’s tempting, though, to read something deeper into the seemingly random patterns of “define.”

For instance, questions about “define nursing paradigms” likely stem from an educational assignment, but is there deep societal frustration that gives rise to the flurry of “define complacent” or “define apathetic” queries? Are people looking for standards once and for all when they inquire, “define what is blogging“? What Parker spurred the aggrieved “define nosey“? And can there be a succinct response to “define what is man“?

These questions, and less, come from pondering words out of context. Take a look at some definitions people have sought in the past 30 days. This should be the last word on the subject of words, for the time being.

At a time when technology keeps shortening words to four letters or fewer, are dictionaries still meaningful? You betcha. Even when school’s out (for most), searches for dictionaries are up 14% compared to this same period last year. Throw in foreign language look-ups, and the need to know goes up 18%.

Besides vocabulary, searches for medical dictionaries rose 63% compared to last year. And we thought “cyberchondria” was so last year. (No, that word isn’t part of Merriam-Webster’s new batch. Yet.) The Urban Dictionary remains the second most consulted specialty dictionary, but WDR, the lingo to know is text messaging, a newby search this summer. Wordsmiths also boosted Scrabble’s dictionary, possibly thanks to a fabulous Facebook application… although look for a war of words with the official version launched Monday.

Among international languages, Spanish is still numero segundo (after English), despite its 10 percent drop in searches compared to last summer. Farsi (spoken in Afghanistan and Iran) has become the fastest rising newcomer among languages. More people are also trying their tongues in Hebrew, Russian, Hawaiian, and Tagalog than last year. Fo’ real, bruddah.

Philologists, rejoice. Wordsmiths worked themselves up in a lexical lather after Merriam-Webster recently added more than 100 new words. Now their wordly obsessions can reach a new level with Scrabble’s new online game.

Or will they? Hold your Qs and Js… isn’t there already a fabulous, albeit contentious, version made popular by Facebook? After all, Scrabulous probably spurred the leap in “scrabble dictionary” searches, about double what they were compared to this same time last year.

Some observers thinks the official Scrabble version is too North American-centric and comes too late. Will words fail them, or could this version drag high-stakes, tile-loving spellers into social networking? Either way, wordiness wins.

When is a car not just a car? Two specific examples come to mind. First, when it’s (partially) powered by solar panels. And second, when the voice of KITT from Knight Rider spews directions.

The Toyota Prius, already the poster-car for eco-friendly driving, may be planning a model with solar panels. According to The Daily Green, the panels “will produce enough electricity to keep the air conditioner running, eliminating a summertime drain on the gas tank.” No word on whether the rumored panels would have a significant impact on the car’s efficiency or if they’d be mostly symbolic.

Global positioning systems for cars are nothing new. But a GPS device with the voice of KITT from “Knight Rider” is not only new, it’s totally friggin’ sweet. The marketing geniuses at Mio have come up with a gizmo that will feature the authoritative voice of William Daniels, the man who gave the black Trans Am its proper yet spunky personality. As Wired puts it, the gadget “is so obvious, we have absolutely no idea why it doesn’t already exist.” Indeed. Folks who’d like to see the device in action should check out this video from The Street. As the Hoff might say, “keep your scanners peeled.”

Celebrating the end of tyranny in the American colonies is certainly a reason for taking a few days off this July Fourth weekend. But even a lazy holiday of fireworks and hot-dog-eating contests can’t keep news from buzzing across the free world. Whether you were a head of state, a head of the household, or a head of wax, this weekend gave us all plenty to scratch our noggins about.

Summer staycations
For household decision makers, all feeling the pinch of higher gas prices, the resounding tune this weekend wasn’t “The Star Spangled Banner” but rather “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The staycation has moved from newspaper lifestyle articles to real life and the Buzz, underlining the economic woes that keep families closer to home in their quest for summer fun.

Avoiding the Olympic affront
President Bush didn’t take much time off this weekend. The U.S. head of state traveled to Japan to attend the Group of Eight summit, where he did some work in the Buzz explaining why he has no plans to miss the commencement of the Olympic Games in Beijing. Despite pressure from the home front to avoid the opening ceremonies because of China’s human rights record, Bush said he’d rather not insult the Olympic hosts. “Not going to the opening ceremony,” said Bush, “would be an affront to the Chinese people.”

Tearing the head off history
Someone at the new Madame Tussauds wax museum in Germany decided to add injury to the insult of Adolf Hitler’s memory by ripping the head off the statue of the WWII dictator. The attack occurred on the opening day of the famed wax museum in Berlin, lending a bizarre aura to the already controversial display.

Also spiking in the Buzz…
• The celebrated Declaration of Independence says that “all men are created equal,” but sisterhood is an equal if not greater force in the Buzz this weekend. Kylie Minogue received an honor from the British crown, while her sister, Dannii, stirred up controversy in her reality TV gig.
• Meanwhile sisters Venus and Serena Williams played together, as well as against each other, to dominate the Wimbledon courts and headlines.

Following in the high-heeled footsteps of “Sex and the City: The Movie” comes another film that’s sure to make boyfriends around the world run for cover. Prepare thyself for “Friends: The Movie.” Mwa ha ha!

That’s right, kids. Rumor has it that there is renewed interest in bringing the six fabulously perky and quirky New Yorkers to the big screen. You can either thank or blame “Sex and the City” for this news. The success of that franchise’s recent flick reportedly inspired the cast to bring their beloved sitcom back from the dead.

According to Current, Jennifer Aniston “is believed to have dragged her heels” on the project, but has since changed her mind. Filming should start within the next 18 months. Or will it? Another blog reports that Warner Bros. denied the “Friends” movie rumor, “and there’s no confirmation from anyone around town that anything is even being considered.”

So, is there hope for all the haters who thought they’d seen the last of Ross, Rachel, and that stupid monkey? Maybe, but remember: When it comes to rumors, they’re often denied, but usually true. Sorry.

“Rain Man” was an Oscar-winning film about an autistic man and his self-absorbed brother getting to know each other. Now, in an acknowledgement that the theatrical community is just as starved for ideas as Hollywood, the film is being adapted for an on-stage production at London’s West End.

Near as we can tell, it’s not a musical. So, you needn’t worry about a ballad dedicated to Judge Wapner or a rousing refrain on “excellent drivers.” Phew! Here’s what we do know: Entertainment Weekly reports that former “it-boy” Josh Hartnett will play Tom Cruise’s role. The part of Raymond (aka Rain Man) will be tackled by Adam Godley best known for his work in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the upcoming “X-Files” film. The curtain goes up this September.

For many, the 1988 movie with Cruise and Dustin Hoffman marked the first time they’d ever heard of autism. The disability is still very much in the news due to concerns that childhood vaccines may somehow cause autism. Could that anxiety have played a part in bringing the film to the stage? We’re not sure, but terms like “autism causes,” “what is autism,” and “autism symptoms” continue to be big in Search.

Before Dawson went up a Creek, before the Girls who Gossiped, before we were rudely welcomed to “The O.C.” there was “Beverly Hills, 90210.” As you’ve probably heard, the granddaddy of all teen angst dramas is getting a reboot. And rumor has it that Shannen Doherty may return to the zip code that made her a star.

Several sources within the Buzz are in a tizzy over the news. iVillage writes that Shannen is interested in reprising her role as “bratty Brenda Walsh,” provided she likes the script (and the money). If the devilish diva does return, she would join fellow alums Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling who have already hopped aboard the career lifeboat.

Of course, one can’t write, whisper, or even think about Shannen without conjuring up memories of her notorious on-set antics. Entertainment Weekly notes that Shannen “allegedly once engaged in a fistfight” with Ms. Garth. Additionally, the bad girl brunette was fired from “90210″ in 1994. Should the return really happen, it’ll be fun to see if bratty Brenda has truly changed her ways. For the sake of the Buzz, here’s hoping she hasn’t.