Trollz Get Sexy

Chances are, you probably don’t associate Troll dolls with sex appeal. The ugly pug-nosed, wild-haired, and pudgy-bodied dolls that debuted in the 1960s have gotten an extreme makeover to keep up with the times.

This is actually the brand’s second attempt to revive the toys — their last attempt in 2006 wasn’t very successful, so the re-styling is probably an attempt to revive the Trollz line.

“Today” described the sexy new line of (decidedly not troll-like) Trollz, saying:

“…Recently they've been updated — while they still have only four fingers on each hand, the new Trollz line created for the animated TV series by DiC Entertainment features short skirts, bare midriffs, giant eyes, and even styled hair.”

An animated cartoon series is also in the works.

Readers, what do you think of the Trollz makeover?

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Study Shows How Designer Clothes Improve Your Life

Good news for the fashionistas out there: wearing designer clothes will actually improve your life! There’s just one catch — the designer pieces you wear must sport a logo in order for you to reap the benefits.

So why does the label matter? A new study shows that designer logos can grant their wearers benefits ranging from increased cooperation, money, and job recommendations!

In one experiment, volunteers rated a man wearing a polo shirt with a designer logo as being more suitable for a job than when his shirt did not have a logo on it, and they recommended a higher salary.

Not only do designer logos have the ability to alter the way others perceive us, but they also have the power to change the way we are treated. Surprisingly, donors even gave more money to charity when the women who were raising the money were wearing designer shirts!

Why is this so? The Economist reported that researchers believe that the labels are perceived as symbols of quality (since they are an obvious status symbol).

Readers, are you surprised by the results of this study? Do you wear clothing with designer logos? And if not, do the results of this study give you an excuse to splurge for a change? Let us know in the comments!

[NEWSER]

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U.S. Plans to Use Social Media to Issue Terror Alerts

Code Red! Just kidding. The Department of Homeland Security announced their plans to eliminate the infamous color-coded threat system in January and try something completely different instead.

Now, the scary, panic-inciting Homeland Security Advisory System will be replaced on April 27th with the all-new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) — in the form of Tweets and Facebook messages. No kidding.

According to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, the NTAS is:

“a new system that's built on a clear and simple premise: when a threat develops that could impact you — the public — we will tell you. We will provide whatever information we can so you know how to protect yourselves, your families, and your communities.”

Napolitano also said that the news system will provide alerts with a “specific end date,” instead of the current system that encourages a pervasive state of lingering anxiety that really just doesn’t make sense.

Hopefully the new system will be easier to comprehend, more informative and more useful than the last.

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Are We Actually Addicted to Facebook?

How many times a day do you check your Facebook? Do you often check it without even realizing that’s what you’re doing? Maybe you’re addicted — the results of a new study conducted by the University of Maryland’s International Center for Media & the Public Agency seem to say that addiction to social media is possible.

The study of 1,000 students from all around the world — including the US, Mexico, China, Argentina, and the UK — found that those who gave up the Internet (and all other forms of media) felt intense withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours. This led the researchers to believe that Internet addiction is real, although there is much debate about such an addiction as a clinical diagnosis.

Students from the US and from China reported feeling the highest incidence of feelings of addiction when they were completely separated from all forms of media, including cell phones, Internet, music, video games, and television — even though the separation was only for one day.

Students from 10 countries—including the US, Mexico, China, Argentina, the UK—all reported distress, isolation, confusion, boredom, and a feeling of addiction when they had to go 24 hours without any form of media, including Internet, music, games, news shows, and their cell phones.

However, the numbers were not all equal—students from the US and China (mainland and Hong Kong) showed the highest percentages of feeling addicted, at 23 and 22 percent respectively. Ugandans had the least trouble with the experiment, and Argentina had the highest percentage of students who failed to complete it.

Those who failed fell into two categories — those who needed media for work or school, or those who simply could not bear to go 24 hours without some form of media.

Readers, what do you think of the results of this study? Are you “addicted” to Facebook?

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[Ars Technica]

Jay-Z Enters the Digital World, Launches Life + Times Blog

In an apparent attempt to expand his brand and connect with his fans, Jay-Z has launched a blog, Life + Times.

Mediabistro.com spent some time on the site, noting that it was hard to navigate. New York magazine's Vulture site delves into the reasons behind the launch.

"You can certainly see this kind of thing — an attempt to connect Jay to all things that are hip and relevant...something about ‘expanding and preserving Jay-Z’s brand."

To read more about the critique emerging about the site, please visit http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/jay-z-beefs-up-his-brand-with-life-times_b18792.

Readers, will you visit Jay-Z's site? What would you like to see on the blog?

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Is Meredith Vieira Leaving NBC's "Today" Show?

Following yesterday’s news that Katie Couric might return to daytime TV, there are now rumors circulating that Meredith Vieira (who took Couric’s spot beside co-host Matt Lauer in 2006) is expected to leave NBC's “Today” when her contract expires later this year.

Two anonymous sources told TV Guide that Vieira, 57, is ready to move on and that the early morning hours and the health of her husband (who has struggled with multiple sclerosis and cancer) are other deciding factors.

Reportedly, NBC is doing everything they can to convince Vieira to stay. Insiders at NBC News have also said that if she does decide to leave, her position will most likely be filled by news anchor Ann Curry.

Readers, do you watch the "Today" show? If so, what are your thoughts about Vieira's possible departure?

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Hugh Hefner Won't Ask For a Pre-Nup

Despite the fact that 84-year-old Hugh Hefner is worth an estimated $43 million dollars, TMZ reports that the founder of Playboy Enterprises is not planning on asking his fiancée Crystal Harris to sign a prenuptial agreement.

Harris, 24, is set to marry Hefner in just ten weeks’ time, but apparently Hefner doesn’t want to ask her to sign a prenup because he “actually cares” about his future wife.

Wow. Sounds like a great idea!

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[TMZ]

Katie Couric to Leave CBS, May Launch Syndicated Talk Show

According to The Daily News, Katie Couric will not renew her contract with CBS this June and will instead launch her own syndicated talk show.

Couric, who has held an anchor position with CBS for the past five years, was the first solo woman to serve as an anchor of network evening news.

Although a CBS spokesperson told The Daily News, "We’re having ongoing discussions with Katie Couric," the anchor's own spokesperson has remained silent on the matter.

The speculation, as the public knows, comes right as Oprah's last season is coming to a close. With Winfrey's exit, the field is wide open for a new syndicated talk show. If Couric is looking to take over that realm, it looks like she is well on her way.

Readers, would you tune in to watch Couric take over Oprah's role? Or would you rather see her do something other than a talk show?

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Woman Spends Thousands to Look Like a Drag Queen

By definition, drag queens are men, but 21-year-old Collagen Westwood (pictured above) has spent over $8,000 on plastic surgery, collagen injections, and clothing to look exactly like a bona fide “drag queen.”

Westwood, an aspiring singer who has admired drag queens since she was a child, said she intends to have breast augmentation and have some of her ribs removed so she can wear tighter corsets.

“I have a couple of different wigs that I wear when I go out, and people are always assuming I’m a transvestite. I love it when people mistake me for a man. It doesn’t offend me – I think drag queens look fantastic,’ she said. “They’re glamorous and beautiful – what woman wouldn’t want to look like that?”

Readers, what do you think of Collagen’s plastic look? Does this woman, who has surgically made herself look like a man dressed like a woman, strike you as glamorous or downright crazy? Share with us in the comments!

[via The Daily Mail]

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