Tired? Don’t let it show. Get rid of those puffy eyes, stubborn bags, fine wrinkles, crowsfeet, and watch those dark circles disappear…for good! Realsimple.com has the 6 best remedies For Tired-Looking Eyes (We cannot lie, they are trying to sell you products here!). Anybody have a personal experience using any of these? Share it with us in the comment section!
"Just Give Me a Reason" to watch this video.....it's 'Fun.' Nate from Fun. that is! Nate Ruess sings along side P!nk in her newest video off her latest Grammy nominated album Truth About Love.
At first glance, Rob says Dorothy Hamill and Jacoby Jones will be the favorites to win! Dark horses will be Kelli Pickler and Aly Raisman. Check out the full line-up and make your picks on ABC's official Dancing With the Stars page. The new season kicks off on March 18th at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Everyone thinks the life of a network reporter can be very glamorous, traveling the world, reporting on major events. That’s true…about 10% of the time! Our pals at FTVlive.com have the story of NBC’s Michelle Kosinski covering the "Blade Runner” trial, which pretty much has kept her living in a tent city. And wearing the same pants for 11 days in a row. And getting her blackberry stolen. All while trying to report and look great on national TV. Yes, TV is very glamorous!
Jennifer Lawrence’s reaction to Jack Nicholson crashing her interview is simply priceless!
But at the same time, doesn’t it kind of look like Jack is playing “creepy old man?” Here’s a mini transcript:
He told her “You did such a beautiful job in the movie. I don’t mean to crash your interview.” Lawrence joked, “Yeah, you’re being really rude!” Jack then said she resembled a past girlfriend. Jen replied, “Oh really? Do I look like a new girlfriend?” Jack tells her he'll be waiting.
I thought parts of last night’s Oscars were incredibly funny, and other segments of the broadcast were simply “plodding.” I just can’t figure out if this awards show is ever going to completely knock it out of the park again. Seth MacFarlane had a ton of high points as host, and the broadcast itself seemed to be much more contemporary, however I just can’t get over this feeling that so much of the Oscars leaves me empty every single year. I don’t think I’m alone is those thoughts.
I do know this…I made the WRONG choice in watching ABC’s red carpet coverage over E’s. I don’t know if you’ll see a worse broadcast than ABC’s 90 minute preshow. Red carpet broadcasts are always chaotic train-wrecks, but this was just horrible. Lara Spencer was pretty good, as hosting is what she does for a living. But Kristin Chenoweth was god-awful, horribly miscast. It was almost like they spent zero time rehearsing the show or planning for various happenings. I doubt you will see a worse broadcast of any sort for the remaining 10 months of 2013.
Whether you watched the Oscars 'til the bitter end, or went to Bon Jovi and just want to know what happened, check out the following hot links for everything you need to know... and some things you dont!
Congrats to all the Star Fans who won Bon Jovi tix from us. We’re betting half the front row will be Star 102.5 people! Make sure you share your pics with us at Facebook.com/star1025 or on Twitter @mystar1025.
Hit me up with your concert review Monday morning at 716-644-1025 (put us in your contacts!)
And if you like Bon Jovi…you’ll wanna see Bob Seger! April 18th at FNC…tickets on sale Saturday March 2nd at tickets.com…but I’ve got yours before you can buy ‘em Monday morning!
Great story from the New York Daily News about a man losing his pooch in a divorce, only to find that his ex put the dog up for adoption many years later, and be reunited with the dog when he visited a New Hampshire SPCA. Grab a tissue…happy tears!
We are into the toughest days of Winter. The last two weeks of February just suck...even without a ton of snow. Just so dreary! If you weren't lucky enough to get out of town on Winter break, at least these pics will warm you up: Trip Advisor's Best Beaches of 2013. Only a handful of them are from the U.S., but the slideshow is pretty inspiring, and might give you an idea on where you want to go on your next getaway!
Whether we like to admit it or not, we all care about what we look like.
Feel and look great with the up and coming trends of 2013. Check out the best spring colors from Pantone's Top 10 Colors for spring 2013 (Which one would you wear?)
Keep up to date with all the latest fashion trends and tips for styling them from Fashionising.com. They give the best looks for every season.
Throw a party this summer with the 14 hottest colors for events from cvent.com and take your home décor to the next level with perfect colors.
Emerald Green, huh? Perfect for St. Pats Day in Buffalo!
This morning's show is being co hosted by the Brandel family of Tonawanda. Bill, Patty and their kids Rebecca and Marissa won the right to co host through the LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUCTION! event that benefitted St. Christopher's School at Nia Falls Blvd north of Ellicott Creek in Tonawanda. In fact, the bidding between the Brandel's and other groups was so intense, we actually gave away two DJ For A Day packages!
The entire event raised over $53,000 for St. Christopher's, it was incredibly cool to be there and help auction off our package. What made it even more special was that it was attended by Fr. Fran Welgden (the gym was named after him at St. Chris'), who often presides at the St. Benedict's where Linda and I attend, made it even neater...and put on the pressure for me to host a good auction segment! Speaking to a gym full of people, and priests you admire is much more pressure packed than speaking to those you can't see (on the radio), on any day!
Thanks to the Brandel family for being HUGE Star fans, for bidding on our package, and being great hosts on today's show! Maybe Rebecca or Marissa will have this job one day.
Hopefully you’ve at least thought about starting to get all your tax info together. I’m one of those who is kind of anal about it, keeping running tax lists throughout the year, and have already sent everything to my tax person. (Don’t hate me for it, emulate me!)
Kiplinger.com has a great slideshow that may save you some money. Years ago, the fellow who was running the IRS at the time told Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine that he figured millions of taxpayers overpaid their taxes every year by overlooking just one of the money-savers listed here.
Jewel Kilcher is coming to the Seneca Niagara Casino in March, and joined Rob Lucas to talk about her first big tour as a mom, being one of the most bootlegged artists ever, and her greatest hits album.
Started the morning by hearing the news of Mindy McCready taking her own life on her front porch. Like her boyfriend did only a month ago. So sad how such a shining star had become so tragic. Remember, she was dating Dean Cain just after his "Superman" years....she seemed to have the world as her oyster. Then it all went tragic. Worse, she leaves behind a 6 yr old and a 10 month old. The latest from CNN, including some links to more articles on her "tortured journey".
Thanks for surfing our blog page! Because you took the time to find us, we'll give you a bonus heads up on some things to listen for next week!
Jewel joins us at 8:05 Monday. She's coming to the Seneca Niagara Events Center in March and has a brand new Greatest Hits CD.
Next Tuesday is Bon Jovi Tuesday! When we play Bon Jovi between 6am and 6pm, you'll win tickets to their show at First Niagara Center and qualify for a VIP package including front row seats!
And we just may have some boy band Package Tour tix before you can buy 'em. As of this writing, it's not confirmed, but in the words of Robert De Niro, "I hear things".
Have a great weekend, and if you're off for President's Day Monday, thanks for checking in with us!
Chris de Burgh, "Lady In Red"
Joe Cocker, "You Are So Beautiful" Elton John, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" Extreme, "More Than Words" One Direction, "Little Things" Dave Matthews Band, "Crash Into Me" Phil Collins, "Groovy Kind of Love" Bad English, "When I See You Smile" Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On" Jim Croce, "Time in a Bottle" John Mayer, "Your Body is a Wonderland" Stevie Wonder, "I Just Called to Say I Love You" Bryan Adams, "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" Dan Fogelberg, "Longer" Jewel, "You Were Meant for Me" James Blunt, "You're Beautiful" Seal, "Kiss From a Rose" All-4-One, "I Swear" 'N Sync, "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You" Savage Garden, "Truly Madly Deeply"
Valentine's Day...which got us thinking, what is the most romantic song EVER? Romantic doesn't necessarily mean slow and sappy (Rob thinks Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" is one of the most romantic songs ever!). You gave us your thoughts on the Star Lines and posts at facebook.com/Star1025. Here's what you came up with...
Moon Dance- Van Morrison
When A Man Love’s A Woman- Michael Bolton
Enjoy the Silence- Depeche Mode
I’ll Be Loving you - New Kids On The Block
Rapture – Anita Baker
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Can’t Enough of Your Lovin’ Baby – Barry White
The Last Waltz- Engelbert Humperdinck
Hold on my Heart – Phil Collins
I only have eyes for you- Paul Simon
I Just Called to Say I Love You- Stevie Wonder
Never Saw a Miracle – Curtis Stigers
Last Kiss- Pearl Jam
Smooth- By Santana ft. Rob Thomas
Producer James: I'm Sexy and I Know It-LMFAO
Always and Forever- Heat Wave
He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today- George Jones Unchain Melody-Righteous Brothers Everything I Do, I Do For you-Bryan Adams
Harvest Moon- Neil Young
No One Like You- Scorpions
Lady in Red- Chris De Burgh
Always- Bon Jovi
Color my World-Chicago
At Last- Etta James
Endless Love- Lionel Richie
Wildfire- Michael Murphy
I Love You Just the Way You Are- Billy Joel Faithfully- Journey
269: The year St. Valentine was said to be martyred for marrying Christian couples and helping Christians being persecuted in Rome under Emperor Claudius.
3: Saints the Catholic Church recognizes as having the name Valentine or Valentinus.
496: Year (A.D.) Pope Gelasius I made Feb. 14 St. Valentine's feast day.
$130.97: Dollars spent on average by a person celebrating Valentine's Day.
$175.61: Dollars spent on average by men for their better half. This is about twice as much as women spend.
$88.78: Dollars spent on average by women for their significant other. In Japan, because of marketing by chocolate companies, women are actually expected to buy chocolate for their men.
$18.6 billion: Estimated dollars spent in 2013 on Valentine's festivities and gifts.
100,000: Pounds of candy hearts produced every day to meet the Valentine's demand.
1.97: People out of 10 that say they will purchase jewelry to show affection.
1,177: Manufacturing plants that produced chocolate and cocoa products as of 2009.
$21.47: Dollars spent on average by one person on Valentine's Day candy.
8.6 million: Dollars spent on sparkling wine for V-Day. Valentine's Day comes in fourth for holidays celebrated with bubbly liquor after New Year's, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
37.44: Average dollar amount spent by one person on flowers for Valentine's Day. Roses are a Valentine's staple, and each color of rose has its own special meaning.
12: Perfect number of roses to give your sweetie to say, "Be mine!"
144 million: Valentine's Day cards given out annually. Valentine's Day is the second-largest greeting card holiday after Christmas.
7: Countries other than the U.S. that celebrate Valentine's Day. They are the U.K., Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Denmark and Australia.
25: Percent increase in condom sales on Valentine's Day.
14: Day in November that babies conceived on Valentine's Day will be born.
2.3 million: Couples that will get engaged this Valentine's Day.
ABC News:
Almost 60 percent of us plan to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
We're projected to spend a total of $18.6 billion on cards and gifts this year -- $10.5 billion of that for our Significant Other, and nearly $3.8 billion for other family members . . . even $815 million on our PETS.
All in all, the average shopper will spend more than $130. That's up from last year.
Fifty-one percent of us plan to give candy . . . while 36.6 percent are giving flowers.
And even though only 19.7 percent are giving jewelry, that still adds up to $4.4 billion worth of baubles.
54.7 percent of us are willing to spring for at least a card for their true love.
As for where people are buying their Valentine gifts? More than 39 percent of us will be shopping at discount stores, while 26.3 percent expect to do their gift-giving online.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated primarily in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, Italy and Japan. 141 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion.
Typically, 230,000 people get engaged on Valentine's Day. 36% of American men will propose while down on one knee. 83% will propose at a spot that has personal significance while 12% will do it at a nice restaurant. 1% will propose at a sporting event. 41% of adults say the size of the diamond is important. 53% of Americans believe it is important for a man to ask his future father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage.
A five-year-old Affenpinscher named Banana Joe has won the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. This is Banana Joe's 86th win, which means he's now retired from competition, which I'm guessing will really make happy the competitors who've lost to him 80+ times. I'm betting these competitions are like "Dance Moms" behind the scenes, where for probably the past two years others have been saying "We gotta figure out a way to get Banana Joe DQ'd."
In case you missed this weekend’s SNL, one of the best skits was their mocking of CBS’s handling of the Super Bowl black out. A good portion of it focused on our own Steve Taskers role. In truth, Tasker was the BEST of the coverage, sounding the most coherent and having the best ability to relay what was happening. But that didn’t stop SNL from poking fun. We truly hope Steve didn’t get upset over this, and took it as it was intended, as was suggested by Alan Pergament's “Still Talkin TV" blog.
When I first saw this video I thought it was kind of cruel to let a pooch go through this. It just seems like mixing a puppy and a treadmill is a recipe for disaster! But after watching for a few minutes, this is nothing less than incredibly cute! It looks like this was a product of a very caring pitbull organization in Las Vegas. Also, props to former Buffalonian Scott Jones and his website FTVlive.com ( a must view for media fans) for alerting us to the video.
With all the new artists up for awards I had high expectations for the Grammys, but I can’t say they were met. Most of the performances were really good if not incredible, (there always will be some clunkers…Thank you, Rihanna and the Bob Marley tribute), but I would give the whole night a “B+”. What stopped it from being an “A” was a production that seemed a little disjointed with some bad pacing and too many dead spots. I thought that Wiz Khalifa coming right after a country set was simply jarring.
Speaking of the country set, Miranda Lambert put me to sleep. I pretty much agreed with all the award winners with the exception of Mumford & Sons Babel for Album of the Year (I thought the whole category was weak).
The biggest injustice was Carrie Underwood winning for Best Country Performance. “Blown Away” was the LEAST country of any of the songs all the others in the category were more deserving, and when she went up to accept her award I kinda got the feeling that others on the country side felt the same way.
So glad fun. was a multiple winner and I’m hoping Gotye will come up with a strong follow-up single. I’ve spent time with the album, and I’m not so sure that they won’t be one of the greatest one-hit wonder bands.
Check out a full list of Grammy winners from Mirror.UK and the highs and lows from Spin.com.
If you’ve listened to me for more than two days, you know I’m not a fan of award shows. They're usually train wrecks to watch. However, with all the new and up and coming artists, I’m kinda stoked for the 2013 Grammys! fun. are up for six awards and as you can see by my picks I hope they sweep all the major categories. (If you’re wondering why I’m big on fun., read my blog from Tuesday.) But award shows are not always based on talent or credibility, so I could see them winning just one award, or even none. Some categories are just that tight.
For a cool look back at past Grammy performances, check out posts from Hot Hitsand Global Grind. And remember it's VERY subjective...you may completely disagree with their thoughts.
Here are my picks for the major categories. Don't forget I pick based on who I want to win, and who I think deserves to win, all politics of the business aside. Which means I'm often wrong! (Rob's Picks in bold)
Record of the Year
"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Kelly Clarkson "We Are Young," fun. featuring Janelle Monae
"Somebody That I Used To Know," Gotye Featuring Kimbra
"Thinkin Bout You," Frank Ocean
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift.
Album of the Year
"El Camino," The Black Keys "Some Nights," fun.
"Babel," Mumford & Sons
"Channel Orange," Frank Ocean
"Blunderbuss," Jack White.
Song of the Year
"The A Team," Ed Sheeran, songwriter (performed by Ed Sheeran)
"Adorn," Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
"Call Me Maybe" Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Jorgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi, songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)
"We Are Young," Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (fun. featuring Janelle Monáe).
Best New Artist
Alabama Shakes fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean.
Best Country Song
Blown Away - Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Cost Of Livin' - Phillip Coleman & Ronnie Dunn, songwriters (Ronnie Dunn)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart - Will Hoge & Eric Paslay, songwriters (Eli Young Band)
So You Don't Have To Love Me Anymore - Jay Knowles & Adam Wright, songwriters (Alan Jackson) Springsteen - Eric Church, Jeff Hyde & Ryan Tyndell, songwriters (Eric Church)
This morning we chatted with Tops Markets Gina Traniello, who is representing WNY in the National Grocers Association Bagging Competition in Las Vegas. She's going up against 22 other top baggers from across the country! The winner gets $10,000 and a trip to David Letterman. One problem...she's been practicing so much...she's exhausted before she even leaves town! Listen...
While prepping for our quickie trip to NYC, (check out the Fun. concert pics here), my wife discovered Eataly, at the corner of 23rd and 5th, right across from Madison Square Park (Park, not Garden).
“OMG!”as one person wrote on tripadvisor.com; Eataly is a wet dream for foodies.
Imagine 50,000 square ft of Italy in the heart of NYC – all indoors. At first I thought it would be like the food pavilion at the CNE or state fair... how WRONG I was.
It's everything Little Italy has to offer in one building (minus the Christmas lights being up 365 days a year). Eataly is a combination of Italian Markets where locals get veggies and pastas for cooking that night’s meal, mixed in with individual Bistros, some specializing in pizzas, others in cheeses, some in deli sandwiches.
Linda had a pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and the most incredible prosciutto on a thin crust. I had some souped-up version of rigatoni… Ungodly.
Eataly in New York is based on the original Eataly in Turin, Italy and is backed by a group led by Mario Batali, who aptly describes it as an Italian market with tasting rooms. Here's the Wikipedia history.
People were taking pictures of their foods all over, just as you'll see in my Eataly Facebook photo album. (If you're not friends with me already, you can subscribe to my page! I'm full up on friends.) In fact, they encourage you to take pictures and it's not just the tourists that do it. If you’re heading to New York a stop at Eataly is a MUST. Especially if the weather prevents you from going to Little Italy as it did to us.
By the way, it also has the endorsement of a fairly famous Buffalonian – Mayor Masiello!
When Sue O'Neil found out that we went to Eataly, she told me how she found it by chance about a year or so ago when she ran into the Mayor in NYC (you can't go anywhere and NOT see someone from Buffalo!), and he recommended it.
For a great New York City walking tour, I suggest you walk down from Rock Center along 5th Avenue, where you see all the swanky shops and department stores (the 28 blocks goes really fast), and after hitting Eataly, walk back North along Broadway, which runs into 5th just North of Eataly. Broadway, though just two blocks over from 5th, is a totally different world. Think "Don’t Mess With The Zohan" - a little crazy, but very safe. And it'll take you right into Times Square!
Had a whirlwind 22 hours in New York City in which we hit what is the Super Bowl of Italian foods, EATALY at 23rd and 5th (more on that in another post), and the main reason we did the roadie...to see Fun. at Radio City Music Hall.
Very simply, this concert was the best concert I have seen by a new band, since the early stages of Matchbox Twenty. And yes, I realize some will criticize me for calling them a "new" band...since they've been together for almost a decade, and are on their second album. But truth be told, most of America is still discovering them, and even many people heavy into music did not even know they existed until early last year. Many will be seeing them perform live for the first time on The Grammys. To me...that still means you can call them "new."
Fun. at Radio City Highlights:
Nate Reuss just might be the next Mick Jagger. Not quite as frantic...but the energy, crowd control, knowing how to use a mic, and stage leadership is the same.
This band is incredibly talented, and can play anything, including You Can't Always Get What You Want, which was their 2nd encore (see...I told you Nate was the next Mick!). Oh and yes,Andrew Dost did play the flugelhorn open on it. Spot on!
When they broke into SOME NIGHTS, which opened the first encore, it was quite possibly the greatest single song concert reaction from an audience I've seen live save for when Springsteen performs Born To Run. 6,000 people and band were one, and having it happen in such an historic venue as Radio City Music Hall, it was goose bump time. You truly felt that that 3 bouncing balconies would come down at any moment. I know the Born To Run comparison is high praise, but it's simply the truth.
On stage, they simply are having FUN. The vibe of "We can't believe this is happening to us...and we're just gonna ride the wave" just oozes from them. So many times during the show, Nate just stood, and could not stop smiling...and applauding the entire arena. He remarked more than a few times how unbeleivable their ride has been...and how special it was to play in their hometown...(even though he's originally from L.A.), espeically in a venue they could only dream of performing in just a few years ago.
This show was so good, it was one of those shows that makes you understand why people follow bands around the country, seeing them tens if not hundreds of times.
As I type this, Fun. has just announced a 2013 Summer tour including stops at Finger Lakes and Toronto. By the end of the tour, they will have been on the road for two years straight. Should give them some writing material for their next album!
I hope they kill at the Grammys. Not that it matters...I'm betting they'll be around much longer than some of the other acts that do win. And they'll still be having Fun.
Super Bowl XLVII had a lot going for it: an intense sibling rivalry, a stadium wide blackout, and a fierce half-time show from Queen Bey.
But we all know the real reason anyone watches the Big Game: the commercials.
From the heartwarming and crowd pleasing (Budweiser “Brotherhood” and Ram Trucks “Farmer”) to the amusingly weird (Taco Bell “Viva Young”) to the absolutely atrocious (GoDaddy.com “Perfect Match”), this year’s Super Bowl had its share of successes and flops.
All week long we've been prepping you for the Big Game, whether you're heavy into football, or barely going to watch. No matter where you fit in, click these hot links for a star filled gameday experience
And finally, Jimmy Kimmel interviewing people BEFORE the Super Bowl is even played! People are sooo afraid to simply say "I have no idea what you are talking about..."
