Eartha Kitt, the “Santa Baby” crooner and former Catwoman, died of colon cancer at 81 on Christmas Day in Connecticut. The self-proclaimed “sex kitten” began her career as a dancer in the famed Katharine Dunham troupe and cabarets, but progressed to acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. She won two Emmys, and was also nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys. Kitt is well-known for her feline-like movements and sultry voice, but she is also remembered for an anti-Vietnam War comment she made at a White House Luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson. “You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed,” she told the group of about 50 women. “They rebel in the street. They don’t want to go to school because they’re going to be snatched off from their mothers to be shot in Vietnam.” Keep reading »
Have You Given Up Champagne Toasts Because Of The Recession?
The Times reports that champagne sales are down this holiday season and not necessarily because people can’t afford the bubbly. Amid layoffs, foreclosures and other economic losses, as well as a shortage of the usual celebratory occasions like “mergers, closings, bonuses and office parties,” “People just don’t want to look extravagant today,” said Paul Grieco, a Manhattan restaurateur. “They still want to drink, so they cut out the Champagne and go directly to whatever they’re drinking with dinner.” Convinced this includes sparkling wine priced $10 to $20, “the sweet spot these days for good wine values,” the Times gathered a wine panel to taste test 25 bottles, admitting that, “While our price range was $10 to $20, most of the wines in the tasting were $15 to $20.” This makes total sense since a $15 bottle of sparkling wine looks so much less extravagant than a $15 bottle of champagne. “Let’s be honest,” the reporter mused, ”none of these bottles will match a very good Champagne. But they cost half what you would pay these days for the least expensive Champagne.” Half as much, huh? Clearly the Times has never heard of Andre.
So have you been cutting down on your Champagne toasts this holiday season because of the recession? And if so, what are you drinking it its place? [NYTimes]
Keep reading »
10 Cool Things To Do On Christmas
If you’re a Heeb like me, Christmas can be one long, boring day off. None of your friends are around to hang out, you probs have nothing to do besides watch TV reruns of Christmas specials — snooze-a-palooza! Well, just because the mall and every restaurant is closed — besides the Chinese joint — doesn’t mean you can’t fill your day with fun! Here are 10 Cool Things To Do On Christmas:
1. See A Flick: Movie theaters stay open. Plus, around Christmas, there are a lot of future Oscar contenders out like “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.” Or, you know, “Marley & Me.”
2. DIY Dildo: For that crafty bitch with some time on her hands, make your own masturbator. Or if you’re too lazy, you can just get off with these household items. Keep reading »
The Boob Tube: What’s On TV Christmas Day 2008 And Beyond
Christmas Day
Rick Warren Hums Along To Melissa Etheridge’s Tune
Sigh. We hate to say it, but Obama unified the country and then disenfranchised one of his core constituent groups — the gays! When he chose the proselytizing pro-Proposition 8 pastor Rick Warren to swear him in on the upcoming Inauguration Day, everyone from gayelle talking head Rachel Maddow to Republican Governor Schwarzenegger went, “Huh?” Honestly, why Obama, why would you choose a dude whose spent the past six months shouting fire and brimstone-style slurs about homosexuals and smack-talking gay marriage by likening it to pedophilia and incest? But thanks to a pop star, it looks like the pastor might be repenting!
Faking It: Sports Knowledge 101
Holiday time for men means one thing: sports, sports, and more sports. Christmas Day alone has five basketball games on. This weekend is the last regular season game for football and playoff spots are on the line. And hockey season started not too long ago. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then you need to keep reading. Whether you are forced to watch games at your man’s house or you want to hit up the bar to drink away the Scrooge inside of you, knowing a little bit about sports will impress the jingle bells off a guy. Yes, we know there are plenty of women out there who are sports obsessed. But there are also plenty of women who aren’t — and we don’t want you to suffer. After the jump are some basic things you need to know about sports to get you by during this holiday season.
Lavish Gifts Of Jewelry For Condoleezza Rice And Others
Condoleezza Rice really isn’t someone we envy. I mean, she has to work with one of the most annoying men in the country. But we’d be willing to put up with a lot if it meant receiving lavish gifts from foreign heads of state and government and their aides. The kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia gave Rice gem-encrusted baubles totaling at least $316,000 in 2007. King Abdullah II of Jordan gave Rice an emerald and diamond necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings estimated to be worth $147,000, according to the State Department’s annual inventory of such items released on Monday. The king and his wife Queen Rania also gave Rice a necklace, earrings and jewelry box valued at $4,630. But King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia would not be outdone and presented Rice with an diamond and ruby necklace with matching earrings, ring and bracelet worth $165,000. Unfortunately, Rice and other officials won’t be able to keep the gifts, which have been turned over to the General Services Administration and government archives in accordance with federal law. Since Rice doesn’t dress too flashy (though she does love her pearls!), we think she really won’t miss the jewelry. After the jump find out what other gifts were presented to U.S. officials. [AP] Keep reading »
Commenters Ball: Our Favorite Comments Of The Week
We here at The Frisky live for celeb gossip, chocolate, and your comments. What can we say, you bitches crack us up! So in honor of you, our smart, sexy, and incisive readers, who aren’t afraid to talk smack on the Internet, we’re giving away prizes! Each week well award five of you an awesome internet chatty Cathy’s a little something special. This weeks winner’s will receive Creative Nail Designs’ Stickey Base Coat which is guaranteed to make your mani-pedi last longer. So, without further adieu, here are the lucky winners of this week’s Commenters Ball… Keep reading »