National Peppermint Patty Day is officially February 11^th so I wanted to research some interesting facts about my favorite candy.  This article from FOODFACTSHUB.COM details facts about the candy AND Charles Schulz’s tomboy character.

From: FOODFACTSHUB.COM:

Are you a fan of the refreshing taste of mint combined with rich chocolate? Or perhaps you’re intrigued by the lovable characters from the Peanuts comic strip? Either way, you’re in for a treat as we explore some fascinating facts about peppermint patty – both the candy and the beloved character. This article will take you on a journey through the delicious world of York Peppermint Patties and the charming universe of Charles M. Schulz’s Peppermint Patty.

10 Intriguing Facts About Peppermint Patty

1 The Birth of a Classic Candy

The York Peppermint Pattie was created in 1940 by Henry Kessler, founder of the York Cone Company in York, Pennsylvania. Initially, this minty treat was only sold in the northeastern United States before going national in 1975.

2 A Snappy Quality Control

In the early days of production, each pattie had to pass a unique “snap test.” If it didn’t break cleanly in the middle, it wasn’t packaged for sale. This ensured that every York Peppermint Pattie met the highest standards of quality and texture.

3 A Massive Production

The popularity of peppermint patties is undeniable. An estimated 1.5 billion York Peppermint Patties are produced each year, satisfying the cravings of mint-chocolate lovers worldwide.

4 The Perfect Blend

The classic York Peppermint Pattie consists of a dark chocolate coating over a peppermint filling. This simple yet irresistible combination has stood the test of time, delighting taste buds for decades.

5 Nutritional Profile

For those watching their calorie intake, a full-size York Peppermint Pattie contains 140 calories, 3g fat, and 32g carbohydrates. While it’s still a treat, it’s relatively lower in fat compared to many other candies.

6 A Comic Strip Sensation

Peppermint Patty, the character from the Peanuts comic strip, made her debut on August 22, 1966. Created by Charles M. Schulz, she quickly became a fan favorite with her unique personality and style.

7 What’s in a Name?

While most fans know her as Peppermint Patty, her full name is actually Patricia Reichardt. This little-known fact adds depth to her character and distinguishes her from the candy that shares her nickname.

8 A Sporty Personality

Peppermint Patty is portrayed as a tomboy and a natural athlete in the Peanuts universe. Her love for sports and competitive nature make her stand out among the other characters.

9 Academic Struggles

Despite her athletic prowess, Peppermint Patty often struggles with academics. This aspect of her character makes her relatable to many readers who may face similar challenges.

10 A Groundbreaking Character

Peppermint Patty was a pioneering character in many ways. She spoke her mind, wore comfortable clothing, and excelled in sports at a time when such portrayals of female characters were rare in comics.

The Sweet History of York Peppermint Patties

A Minty Fresh Beginning

The story of the York Peppermint Pattie begins in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania. Henry Kessler, the founder of the York Cone Company, set out to create a candy that was both refreshing and indulgent. His creation, the York Peppermint Pattie, quickly gained popularity in the northeastern United States. The unique combination of dark chocolate and peppermint filling was an instant hit. The crisp mint center, enrobed in a thin layer of dark chocolate, provided a satisfying snap and a burst of flavor that set it apart from other candies of the time.

From Local Favorite to National Sensation

For over three decades, the York Peppermint Pattie remained a regional delight, beloved by those in the northeastern states. However, its popularity couldn’t be contained for long. In 1975, the decision was made to take the peppermint patty national. The expansion was a resounding success. People across the country fell in love with the refreshing taste and unique texture of the York Peppermint Pattie. Today, it’s estimated that a staggering 1.5 billion patties are produced each year, cementing its status as a classic American candy.

The Peppermint Patty Production Process

Quality Control: The Snap Test

In the early days of production, York Peppermint Patties were subject to a unique quality control measure known as the “snap test.” Each pattie had to break cleanly in the middle when snapped. If it didn’t pass this test, it wasn’t packaged for sale.

This rigorous standard ensured that every York Peppermint Pattie had the perfect texture – crisp enough to snap satisfyingly, yet soft enough to melt in your mouth. While modern production methods have evolved, the commitment to quality remains a hallmark of the brand.

The Perfect Recipe

The York Peppermint Pattie consists of two main components: a peppermint filling and a dark chocolate coating. The filling is made from sugar, corn syrup, and oil, flavored with peppermint oil for that signature cool taste. This mixture is then formed into discs and allowed to set.

Once the filling is ready, each disc is coated in a thin layer of dark chocolate. The chocolate is tempered to give it a glossy finish and that satisfying snap when you bite into it. The result is a perfect balance of mint and chocolate, crisp and smooth, sweet and refreshing.

The Power of Peppermint

While peppermint patties shouldn’t be considered a health food, the peppermint oil they contain does have some potential benefits:

Digestive Aid: Peppermint is known for its ability to soothe digestive discomfort and reduce bloating.

Breath Freshener: The strong mint flavor can help freshen breath, albeit temporarily.

Mood Booster: The scent of peppermint has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress in some studies.

Mental Alertness: Some research suggests that the scent of peppermint may enhance memory and increase alertness.

Remember, while these potential benefits are interesting, they come from the peppermint oil itself, not necessarily from eating peppermint patties. Always enjoy treats in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Peppermint Patty: The Peanuts Character

Meet Patricia Reichardt

While we’ve explored the sweet world of the candy, there’s another Peppermint Patty that deserves our attention – the beloved character from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip.

Peppermint Patty, whose full name is Patricia Reichardt, made her debut in the Peanuts universe on August 22, 1966. With her freckles and chin-length brown hair (which she describes as “mousy-blah”), Peppermint Patty quickly became a fan favorite.

A Unique Personality

Peppermint Patty is known for her distinctive character traits:

Tomboy Nature: She’s often seen wearing shorts and sandals, bucking traditional gender norms of the time.

Athletic Prowess: Peppermint Patty excels in various sports, showcasing her natural athletic ability.

Casual Attitude: Her laid-back demeanor is reflected in her speech, often referring to Charlie Brown as “Chuck.”

Academic Struggles: Despite her athletic talents, Peppermint Patty often finds herself challenged in the classroom.

Loyal Friend: Despite her tough exterior, she’s a steadfast and loyal friend to those close to her.

Relationships and Dynamics

Peppermint Patty’s relationships with other characters add depth to her personality:

Charlie Brown: She has a complicated relationship with Charlie Brown, often teasing him but also harboring a secret crush.

Marcie: Her best friend, who calls her “Sir,” highlighting Peppermint Patty’s tomboyish nature.

Snoopy: She often mistakes Snoopy for a “funny-looking kid with a big nose.”

Cultural Impact

Peppermint Patty’s character was groundbreaking for its time. She represented a type of girl rarely seen in comics – outspoken, athletic, and comfortable in her own skin. Her character helped promote gender equality in sports, influenced by Schulz’s friendship with tennis player Billie Jean King. While some have interpreted Peppermint Patty as a representation of LGBTQ+ identity, Charles Schulz stated that this was not his intention. Regardless, her non-conformity to traditional gender roles has made her an icon for many.

SOURCE: FOODFACTSHUB.COM

Today is Elvis Presley’s birthday.  Born January 8, 1935, Elvis died August 16, 1977. His death, however, was not the end of the public’s obsession with the King. In fact, in the last 47 years since he died, Elvis has been “spotted” several times…lol.

This story from Mental Floss details the obsession with Elvis sightings:

  On August 16, 1977, something momentous happened in Memphis, Tennessee. It was either the death of Elvis Presley at the age of 42, as more than 80 percent of Americans believe, or the start of the most spectacular disappearing act in the history of mankind.

“Elvis is alive” theories are as varied as they are plentiful, and they’ve been circulating since just after his death. He’s left the realm of popular entertainers and joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and to some, Jesus. What follows is a brief history of why some people refuse to let this American icon rest in peace.

THE FIRST SIGHTING

On the afternoon of August 16, 1977, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis is said to have purchased a one-way ticket from Memphis International Airport to Buenos Aires. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. Patrick Lacy, author of the book Elvis Decoded, claims to have debunked this popular and wholly unsubstantiated story by interviewing airport officials and determining that international flights weren’t available from Memphis in 1977. There’s also the question of why the most famous man on the planet would risk going into a public place in his hometown in order to book airfare for the purpose of faking his own death. Maybe Elvis figured his acting skills would help him avoid suspicion.

THE FUNERAL

A great deal of “Elvis is alive” intrigue centers on August 18, 1977, the day of Presley’s funeral. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. The King had packed on a few pounds in his later years, but there’s no way he was pushing a half-ton. One explanation: The casket was outfitted with a cooling system—the kind you’d use to keep a wax dummy of a beloved celebrity from melting on a hot summer day. Sound crazy? Presley’s cousin Gene Smith thought the body looked a little strange. “His nose looked kinda puggy-looking, and his right sideburn was sticking straight out—it looked about an inch,” Smith said in the 1991 special The Elvis Files. “And his hairline looked like a hairpiece or something was glued on.” Smith was also troubled by the smoothness of Presley’s typically calloused hands and the sweat on his brow.

Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the King’s headstone. The inscription reads “Elvis Aaron Presley,” even though he’d been given the middle name “Aron,” possibly in memory of his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. The theory here is that Elvis used the incorrect spelling to signal fans that he was still alive. Another one of Elvis’s cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, as legal documents bearing Presley’s signature attest.

THE DEATH ITSELF

Traditionally, you can’t have a funeral without a death, and what killed the King is another major source of controversy. The medical examiner’s official cause of death was “hypertensive heart disease associated with atherosclerotic heart disease.” Elvis weighed at least 250 pounds in his final days, and one Baptist Memorial Hospital staffer told Rolling Stone, he had “the arteries of an 80-year-old man.” So a massive heart attack isn’t exactly far-fetched. But toxicologists found more than 10 drugs in Presley’s system, fueling speculation that “polypharmacy” played a role in his death.

The general confusion surrounding these and other jargony cause-of-death explanations has undoubtedly helped to foster conspiracy theories. So have issues concerning official paperwork. Elvis’s death certificate will remain under wraps until 2027, 50 years after his passing. While this may seem like further proof of a cover-up, it’s actually a matter of Tennessee law. As for Presley’s autopsy report: It’s a private family document unlikely to ever see the light of day.

THE POOL HOUSE PHOTO

The second major Elvis sighting came in the form of a photo snapped on December 31, 1977. While visiting Graceland with his family, a man named Mike Joseph took some random pictures of Presley’s pool house. A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. Experts at Kodak verified that nothing had been doctored, so it seems someone was peering out the window. In an interview with Larry King, Elvis’s good buddy Joe Esposito suggested it was another Presley associate, Al Strada, in the photo. That explanation was good enough for Joseph, but not everyone is satisfied.

A similar case of mistaken identity led to some excitement a few years later, when sports agent Larry Kolb was captured looking uncannily Elvis-like alongside his client (and Elvis’s pal) Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson in a 1984 newspaper photo. Kolb came forward with an original color version of the image proving that it was him—not Elvis—in the shot, but that’s hardly laid the matter to rest. Asked in an interview to identify the man in the background, Ali reportedly said, “That’s my friend Elvis.”

THE KING OF KALAMAZOO

In the late ‘80s, the epicenter of the “Elvis lives” universe shifted to Kalamazoo, Michigan, a city Elvis played four months before his death. In 1988, a woman named Louise Welling from nearby Vicksburg claimed she had seen Presley standing in line at the local Felpausch supermarket. He was rocking a white jumpsuit, naturally, and purchasing an electrical fuse. Welling’s daughter later spied him scarfing Whoppers at Burger King. “What gives this account eerie credibility,” expert David Adler told the Los Angeles Times in an interview promoting his Presley-themed cookbook, “is that Burger King was by far Elvis’s favorite fast food chain.”

BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN?

The Kalamazoo hullabaloo spawned a rash of late-’80s Elvis sightings, many of which involved the King doing un-regal things, like pumping gas or buying junk food. These were consistent with the notion that he’d faked his own death to escape the public eye (or the mafia, as one theory holds) and return to his humble roots. But Elvis loved movies—he starred in 31—and Christmas, so it almost makes sense that he would risk blowing his cover by appearing in the 1990 holiday comedy Home Alone.

Believers of this bizarre theory contend that a 55-year-old Presley turned up in the background of the scene where Catherine O’Hara’s character is stuck at the Scranton airport while trying to get home to her son. There’s a bearded guy behind her who looks a little like Elvis in Charro! (1969) and cocks his head in a manner that conspiracy theorists swear is identical to Presley’s onstage mannerisms. Curiously, director Chris Columbus went into Home Alone having just made Heartbreak Hotel, a 1988 flop about some kids who try to kidnap Elvis. Columbus and Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin laugh about the theory in the DVD commentary, but the identity of the extra remains unknown. Even if the real bearded man were to come forward, it probably wouldn’t kill the story.

GROUNDSKEEPER PRESLEY

In the summer of 2016, video of a Graceland groundskeeper purported to be Elvis got the internet all shook up. In the clip, a gray-haired dude in a baseball cap and Elvis Week T-shirt fusses with some wire and holds up two fingers—apparently some type of numerological clue—as he walks past the camera.

The video has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube—far more than the one where a clever Elvis fan debunks the whole thing by chatting with the actual Graceland employee, an affable gentleman named Bill Barmer. “I’m not really 81,” says Barmer, who then compares himself to a Pokémon Go character.

THE FUTURE

“Elvis is alive” theories can’t go on forever. The man would now be in his 80s, and the oldest person on record only lived to 122. That means we’ve got maybe another 40 years of stories about the King chilling in Argentina or sipping coffee at Tim Hortons or doing whatever you do as an elderly man who’s been in hiding since the Carter Administration. Unless it turns out Elvis is immortal.

In an interview accompanying The Beatles Anthology DVD, George Harrison likens a brief 1972 encounter with Elvis at Madison Square Garden to “meeting Vishnu or Krishna or something.” His hair was black, his skin was tan, and his aura left the Beatle feeling like “a snooty little nobody.” Harrison may have been hinting at something Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper said rather deftly with their 1987 single “Elvis Is Everywhere.” Alive or dead, Presley is one pop culture deity we’ll never stop worshiping.

SOURCE: MENTAL FLOSS

Today is Mel Gibson’s birthday (born in 1956) so I wanted to discuss one of my favorite Mel Gibson movies—What Women Want.  He plays a sexist—very sexist—ad man who gets “electrified” and as a result he can HEAR what women THINK.  Hilarity ensues.

From: Mirror:

The film was released in 2000 and tells the story of sexist ad exec Nick who has an accident while trying to get into the mind of a woman and ends up being able to hear what every female can think. Helen Hunt also stars in the movie as Darcy Maguire, who is originally Nick’s rival when she gets the job he wanted, but the pair end up falling madly in love. The movie was originally titled Head Games and was pitched to Touchstone Pictures in 1996.

Here are five more things you didn’t know about the film:

There was a Chinese remake

The original film saw Mel Gibson nominated for a Golden Globe but the Chinese remake wasn’t as successful. It was directed by Chen Daming starring Andy Lau and Gong Li and was released in 2011. Bizarre. The plot takes place mostly in an advertising company in Beijing, in which Lau plays a slick ad agency creative director who gets acquainted with his new talented competition, played by Gong.

Mel wasn’t bothered about wearing tights

Mel wasn’t too bothered about having to wear tights because he used to wear them every day in drama school. Talking about breaking the macho stereotype, he said: “Break all the conventions and establish different ones. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all. It was great. I like going in to different styles of acting and exploring stuff I haven’t done before.”

The kissing scenes took AGES

Helen Hunt revealed they had a day and a half of kissing for the movie. Which would be most women’s dream. She said: “I mean 9 o’clock in the morning to 8 o’clock in the evening and through the next morning. “It was honestly dizzying how much we kissed. No air. So at around 5 o’clock on the first day, I asked Mel’s makeup people to shave him a little because my face was getting chewed up from his stubble. “So he showed up on the set with 25 toilet paper marks with fake blood on them!”

Continuity mistake

When Mel tries on the pantyhose in his bathroom, the hole in the left leg changes in different cuts of the movie. It is originally a large hole on the outside of his leg with a small ladder and on a different shot ends up being on the inside of his leg.

Nike reps in the film

One of the most clever scenes in the film is when Nick delivers his presentation to win a Nike Women campaign. He wins them over and can hear them praising his ideas, which were actually stolen from Darcy. We bet you didn’t know that the three female Nike representatives are in fact the real Nike ad representatives and not actresses.

SOURCE: MIRROR

Today is Ted Danson’s birthday!  I found an article on Mental Floss detailing fun facts about CHEERS.

FROM MENTAL FLOSS:

CHEERS ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT THROUGH SEASON ONE.

Like many of television’s greatest success stories (e.g. Seinfeld), Cheers was not an immediate hit. It premiered on September 30, 1982 to dismal ratings—77th place out of 100 shows that week, according to Nielsen. It was NBC’s entertainment president at the time, Brandon Tartikoff, who saved the show from cancellation during its first season.

THE BULL & FINCH PUB, ON WHICH CHEERS IS MODELED, IS NOW CALLED CHEERS

Talk about life imitating art. After it was decided that the series would be set in a bar instead of a hotel, co-creators Glen and Les Charles decided the locale should be moved to New England. “Boston was chosen partially because only five short-lived television shows claimed the city and the East Coast pubs were real neighborhood hangouts,” wrote Dennis A. Bjorklund in his book, Toasting Cheers.

As the show’s popularity rose, it didn’t take long for word to spread that the Beacon Hill tavern was the “real” Cheers (though only the exterior shots were filmed there), turning the neighborhood hangout into a tourist attraction. To satisfy the masses, a second location—this one actually called “Cheers” and featuring a replica of the bar viewers were used to—was opened in nearby Faneuil Hall in 2001. One year later, the Bull & Finch officially changed its name to Cheers.

SAM MALONE WAS ORIGINALLY A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER.

In the script’s earliest incarnations, Sam Malone was an ex-football player, which made sense considering that Fred Dryer—the former NFL defensive end who would go on to star in Hunter—was a top choice to play the role of Sam (opposite Julia Duffy as Diane; William Devane was also a strong contender). Ultimately, it was the chemistry between Ted Danson and Shelley Long that led to them getting the gigs. Once the casting was finalized, the creators swapped out football for baseball, based on Danson’s body type.

TED DANSON ATTENDED BARTENDING SCHOOL.

Danson spent two weeks at a bartending school in Burbank, California as part of his training to play Sam.

NORM AND CLIFF WEREN’T INTENDED TO BE REGULAR CHARACTERS.

Both George Wendt and John Ratzenberger auditioned for the same role in the pilot, a minor character named George who had a single line: “Beer!” The character’s name was changed to Norm Peterson when Wendt was cast. But Ratzenberger wasn’t about to give up so easily. “As I was leaving the office after the audition, I turned around and asked them, ‘Do you have a bar know-it-all?,’” the Bridgeport, Connecticut-born Ratzenberger recalled to Ability Magazine. “None of the creators was from New England. They were all Hollywood-centered. And I said, ‘Well, every local bar in New England has got a know-it-all—someone who pretends to have the knowledge of all mankind between his ears and is not shy about sharing it.’” Thus, Cliff Clavin was born.

NORM PETERSON IS BASED ON A REAL GUY.

In 2012, co-creator Les Charles told GQ that Norm was based on a real person. “I worked at a bar after college, and we had a guy who came in every night. He wasn’t named Norm, was always going to have just one beer, and then he’d say, ‘Maybe I’ll just have one more.’ We had to help him out of the bar every night. His wife would call, and he’d always say, ‘Tell her I’m not here.’”

NORM’S NEVER-SEEN WIFE VERA IS VOICED BY GEORGE WENDT’S REAL WIFE.

Though she’s only credited in one episode, George Wendt’s wife, Bernadette Birkett, provided the voice for Norm’s wife, Vera. Birkett did make one appearance on the show—as a love interest of Cliff’s—in season three.

JOHN RATZENBERGER IMPROVISED MANY OF CLIFF’S FUN FACTS.

Many of the random (and untrue) facts that Cliff Clavin offers up were ad libbed by Ratzenberger. “After a couple of years on the show they realized they could trust me not to mess it up,” Ratzenberger told Deseret News in 1993. “So little by little they’ve let me just sort of run off. Because I know when to stop … It’s easy to improvise comedy. It really is. But the art is knowing when to shut up and let other people talk. That’s a hard thing to learn.”

SOME OF THE DIALOGUE CAME FROM REAL BAR CONVERSATIONS.

In order to nail the bar talk aspect of the series, the creators regularly visited bars in the Los Angeles area to eavesdrop on patrons’ conversations. In the series premiere, there’s an argument about the sweatiest movie ever made, which was lifted from one of these overheard conversations.

CHEERS WASN’T AFRAID TO TACKLE SOCIAL ISSUES.

Cheers’ writers never shied away from taboo topics such as alcoholism or homosexuality, though they always had a sense of humor about them. The season one episode “The Boys in the Bar,” in which one of Sam’s former teammates announces that he is gay, earned writers Ken Levine and David Isaacs a GLAAD Media Award.

PLANS FOR AN HIV SCARE FOR SAM HAD TO BE ABANDONED.

In 1988, the Writers Guild of America went on strike, which meant that several planned episodes of the series were never filmed. Among them was a season six cliffhanger in which Sam learns that a former girlfriend is HIV positive.

RHEA WASN’T THE ONLY PERLMAN ON THE SET.

Rhea Perlman wasn’t the only member of her family to grace the set of Cheers. Her younger sister, Heide, produced more than two dozen episodes between 1985 and 1986 and wrote several episodes throughout the show’s run. Perlman’s father, Phil, played one of the bar regulars (named Phil).

JAY THOMAS MURDERED EDDIE LEBEC.

When character actor Jay Thomas wasn’t portraying Carla’s Bruin-turned-ice-show-performer husband Eddie LeBec, he was the host of a popular morning radio show in Los Angeles. Which is exactly what led to his character being killed off rather prematurely by way of Zamboni. “A few episodes of recurring bliss and then one day on Jay’s radio show, a caller asked him what it was like to be on Cheers,” recounted writer Ken Levine. “He said something to the effect of, ‘It’s brutal. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.’ Well, guess who happened to be listening … Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again.”

A CHEERS MINI-EPISODE WAS PRODUCED FOR THE U.S. TREASURY.

Early in Cheers’ run, its creators were contracted by the U.S. Treasury to create a special mini-episode to promote the purchase of U.S. savings bonds. Titled “Uncle Sam Malone,” the episode never aired on television nor is it included on any of the DVDs; it was intended to be screened for promotional purposes at savings bond drives only.

A “LOST” SCENE ALSO AIRED AS PART OF THE 1983 SUPER BOWL XVII PREGAME SHOW.

Back in early 1983, writers Ken Levine and David Isaacs wrote a special one-off scene to air before Super Bowl XVII in which Sam, Diane, Carla, Norm, Cliff, and NBC announcer Pete Axthelm bet on who will win the big game. “They ran it just before game time and it was seen by 80,000,000 people,” Levine recalled of the spot on his blog. “Nothing we’ve ever written before or since has been seen by that many eyeballs at one time. But the scene was never repeated. It never appeared on any DVDs. It just disappeared.” (Until now: You can watch it at the link above.)

TED DANSON WORE A HAIRPIECE TO PLAY HAIR-OBSESSED SAM

A fact that became apparent when he accepted the Emmy—sans hairpiece—in 1990. In the 1993 episode “It’s Lonely on the Top,” Sam shares his follicular challenge with Carla.

VIEWERS FREQUENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VOLUME OF THE LAUGH TRACK, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO LAUGH TRACK.

In 1983, a quick disclaimer—spoken by one of the regular cast members—was added to the beginning of each episode: “Cheers was filmed before a live studio audience.” This was a direct response to viewer complaints that the “laugh track” was too loud.

THE PART OF FRASIER WAS WRITTEN FOR JOHN LITHGOW.

After recent roles in All That Jazz, Blow Out, and The World According to Garp (for which he received his first of two consecutive Oscar nominations), Lithgow was not interested in working on the small screen. “I just said, ‘No,’” Lithgow recalled to The Hollywood Reporter. “I barely even remembered that … It was like swatting away a fly … I just wasn’t going to do a series.”

KELSEY GRAMMER PLAYED FRASIER CRANE FOR 20 YEARS.

Grammer made his Cheers debut in the third season premiere in 1984. Though he was intended to be a short-lived character, Crane’s popularity with audiences led to him becoming a series regular. Four months after Cheers ended in May of 1993, Frasier made its debut (on the redesigned Cheers stage, no less) and ran for its own 11 seasons. Grammer’s two-decade run as the pretentious psychiatrist is a record-breaking one for an American comedy actor.

TONY SOPRANO’S MOM PLAYED FRASIER’S MOM, TOO.

Nancy Marchand’s character threatened to kill Diane. The role of Frasier’s mom was played by Tom Hanks’s wife Rita Wilson in a 2001 Frasier flashback.

KIRSTIE ALLEY IS THE ONLY MAIN CHARACTER WHO DIDN’T MAKE A GUEST APPEARANCE ON FRASIER.

Throughout Frasier’s 11-season run, Kirstie Alley was the only one of Cheers’ main actors to not make an appearance on the popular spinoff, possibly because the psychiatric profession conflicts with her beliefs as a Scientologist. “Kirstie once said … she’d never do a show about a psychiatrist,” Kelsey Grammer told Entertainment Weekly in 2002.

FRASIER’S DAD WAS MAGICALLY RESURRECTED FOR THE SPINOFF.

When Frasier talked about his family on Cheers, he noted that his father—also a well-respected psychiatrist—had passed away. Yet his ex-cop dad, played by John Mahoney, is a main character in Frasier. Incidentally, Mahoney made a one-off appearance in Cheers’ eleventh season, as a fast-talking jingle writer named Sy Flembeck:

NORM’S FIRST NAME IS HILLARY.

His full name is Hillary Norman Peterson.

THAT WOODY PLAYED WOODY WAS A TOTAL COINCIDENCE.

Though many of the non-regular bar patrons’ real names were used in filming, that Woody Harrelson ended up playing Woody Boyd is by sheer coincidence. The character’s name was written into the script long before any actors had auditioned for the role.

NORM DRANK “NEAR BEER.”

The bar on the set may have been fully functional, but that doesn’t mean the cast got to spend the day throwing back cold ones. Norm may have had it the worst. As the bar’s resident lush, he’s rarely seen without a sudsy glass of beer in his hand. But what’s really in that glass is “near beer,” a weakened strain of ale mixed with a bit of salt to keep a perfect head on the glass at all times. Which Wendt unfortunately had to consume on more than one occasion.

THE SHOW HELPED PROMOTE THE IDEA OF A DESIGNATED DRIVER.

It was important to the producers of Cheers that no tipsy bar patron ever drove him or herself home, so there are frequent references to calling cabs and designated drivers. The Harvard Alcohol Project had a hand in spreading this message.

SAM AND DIANE DID GET MARRIED AT THE END OF SEASON FIVE.

Because Cheers was filmed in front of a live studio audience, the producers had to occasionally trick the audience so that show developments weren’t leaked. In order to keep Shelley Long’s departure from the series a secret, the live audience saw Sam and Diane get married at the end of season five. The real ending—which sees Diane leaving for six months to finish her book, only to return for a guest appearance in the final season—was filmed on a closed set.

CHEERS HABLA ESPAÑOL.

In September 2011, a Spanish version of the series—also called Cheers—made its debut. It starred Alberto San Juan as a former soccer player turned Irish pub owner and ran for just one season.

THE END OF THE SHOW IS ALL TED DANSON’S FAULT.

Though understandably so. When Danson announced that he’d be leaving the series at the end of the 1992-1993 season, producers decided that Woody could take over the bar. But Woody Harrelson wasn’t interested in continuing the show without Danson, and so its series finale was set.

THE CAST AND CREW GOT REALLY, REALLY DRUNK FOR THEIR SENDOFF.

NBC made a major event of the series finale, with cast and crew celebrating at Boston’s Bull & Finch Pub, where thousands of fans gathered outside to watch the show on two Jumbotrons. Then the drinks started flowing … and flowing … and flowing. “The show ended at eleven,” Ken Levine wrote in a 2013 remembrance of the evening for Vulture. “The next half-hour was an emotional tsunami. Everyone was hugging and crying and doing a lot of drinking. We were all completely wrecked.”

Then it was time for the cast to make an appearance on The Tonight Show. “The cast, in no condition to face anybody, much less 40 million people, dutifully trooped downstairs to do the live show,” Levine continued. “Us non-celeb types stayed back and watched on TV … in horror. They were so drunk they needed designated walkers. They giggled like schoolgirls over nothing, fired spitballs into each other’s mouths, squirted water guns, Woody Harrelson implied he gave oral sex to both Ted Danson and Oliver Stone, and Kirstie Alley sang a song where the only lyric was ‘dick, dick, dick.’”

SOURCE: MENTALFLOSS.COM

Today is comedian Ron White’s birthday and I found an interesting article about him on Facts.net detailing many things I didn’t know about Tater Salad!

From Facts.net:

The famous comedian, Ron White, was born on December 18, 1956, in Fritch, Texas.

Ron White, known for his dry sense of humor and trademark cigar, entered the world in the small town of Fritch, Texas. His birthdate falls on December 18, 1956, making him a Sagittarius.

Ron White once worked as a tequila salesman before becoming a comedian.

Before his rise to fame in the comedy world, Ron White had an interesting career as a tequila salesman. Little did he know that his future would be filled with jokes and laughter instead of liquor sales.

He gained widespread recognition after appearing on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour alongside Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, and Bill Engvall.

The Blue Collar Comedy Tour catapulted Ron White to stardom. Joining forces with other talented comedians like Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, and Bill Engvall, the tour became a huge success, gaining a massive fan base across the country.

Ron White is a Grammy-nominated artist.

His comedy album, “Drunk in Public,” earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album in This recognition further solidified his status as one of the leading comedians in the industry.

He has released multiple successful comedy specials.

Ron White has treated his fans to a series of hilarious comedy specials, including “You Can’t Fix Stupid,” “Behavioral Problems,” and “A Little Unprofessional.” Each special showcases his unique storytelling style and clever wit.

Ron White is an avid cigar enthusiast.

It’s no secret that Ron White is rarely seen without a cigar in hand. His love for cigars has become an integral part of his on-stage persona, adding to his charm and distinct image as a comedian.

He was a member of the United States Navy.

Prior to his comedic career, Ron White served in the United States Navy. His time in the military influenced his perspective and provided him with a wealth of experiences that he incorporates into his comedy material.

Ron White has a passion for philanthropy.

Aside from his successful career in comedy, Ron White is known for his philanthropic endeavors. He actively supports various charities and has a particular interest in helping veterans and their families.

He is known for his catchphrase, “You can’t fix stupid.”

Ron White’s catchphrase, “You can’t fix stupid,” has become iconic among his fans. It reflects his humorous take on life’s absurdities and has resonated with audiences around the world.

Ron White has made guest appearances on popular television shows.

Aside from his comedy specials, Ron White has made memorable guest appearances on shows like “Reno 911!” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” His comedic talent shines through in these appearances, leaving audiences in stitches.

Ron White is a New York Times bestselling author.

In addition to his success in stand-up comedy, Ron White has also proven himself as a talented writer. His book, “I Had the Right to Remain Silent… But I Didn’t Have the Ability,” became a New York Times bestseller, showcasing his wit on the written page.

He has his own brand of tequila.

Building on his past experience as a tequila salesman, Ron White decided to create his own brand of tequila. Known as “Number Juan Tequila,” it has received praise from tequila enthusiasts and comedy fans alike.

Ron White has a deep passion for classic cars.

Beyond his love for cigars and tequila, Ron White is an avid collector of classic cars. He appreciates the history, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty found in vintage automobiles.

He has performed for US troops stationed overseas.

Ron White has shown his support for the military by entertaining US troops stationed overseas. His performances bring laughter and joy to those who serve and protect our country.

Ron White is a member of the prestigious “Blue Collar Comedy” fraternity.

As one of the founding members of the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour,” Ron White is part of a comedic fraternity that includes legendary acts like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. Together, they have left a lasting impact on the world of comedy.

He is known for his distinctive style with a mix of storytelling and hilarious punchlines.

Ron White’s comedy style is characterized by his unique blend of storytelling and well-crafted punchlines. His ability to captivate audiences with his engaging narratives and comedic timing sets him apart as one of the greatest comedians of our time.

Ron White has sold out theaters and arenas worldwide.

With his immense popularity, Ron White has performed in sold-out theaters and arenas across the globe. Fans eagerly flock to his shows to experience his comedic genius firsthand.

He is a proud father of a son named Marshall.

Away from the spotlight, Ron White cherishes his role as a father. He takes pride in his son, Marshall, and values the importance of family in his life.

These 18 unbelievable facts about Ron White showcase his journey from tequila salesman to Grammy-nominated comedian. With his unique style, sharp wit, and unwavering charm, Ron White has left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. From his iconic catchphrase to his successful comedy specials, he continues to entertain audiences around the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ron White is truly an extraordinary individual with a fascinating life story and remarkable achievements to his name. From his humble beginnings in Texas to becoming one of the most successful comedians in the entertainment industry, his journey is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a unique sense of humor.

With his distinctive storytelling style and quick wit, Ron White has left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. Whether it’s his iconic “Tater Salad” joke or his uncanny ability to captivate audiences with his hilarious anecdotes, he never fails to entertain and amuse.

As we delve deeper into the life of Ron White, we uncover a treasure trove of unbelievable facts that only add to his legend. From his love for scotch and cigars to his unexpected foray into the music world, his multifaceted personality leaves fans constantly intrigued and eager for more.

With a stellar career spanning several decades, Ron White continues to shine bright and bring laughter to millions around the globe. His unique brand of humor and magnetic stage presence make him a true icon in the world of comedy.

So, the next time you find yourself in need of a good laugh, turn to Ron White and prepare to be amazed by his extraordinary talent and undeniable charm.

SOURCE: FACTS.NET

Today is Tim Conway’s birthday (December 15, 1933 – May 14, 2019) and I thought I’d bring an article about The Carol Burnett Show.

Carol’s ear tug was a message to her grandma.

Burnett’s famous ear tug, which she used to sign off at the end of each show, was a way of telling her grandmother, “Hello, I love you.” Burnett’s grandmother passed away while the series was still on air but Burnett continued to tug her ear as a tribute to her.

Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence were the longest running cast members.

The two were the only series regulars to stay with the program throughout its 11 seasons.

A wardrobe malfunction caused Ms. Wiggins’s trademark walk.

Burnett has said that Ms. Wiggins’s signature waddle was because the skirt she was given was too big — Burnett walked that way to keep it from falling off.

Vicki Lawrence joined the cast at 18.

Lawrence, a high schooler at the time, wrote a fan letter to Burnett, prompting the sketch-comedy queen to attend a ‘Miss Fireball’ contest Lawrence was competing in. Lawrence won, Burnett was called up to crown her on stage, and eventually asked the teen to audition for the role of her kid sister. Lawrence became Burnett’s protégée, best known for the role of “mama” Thelma Harper.

Each show was taped twice before airing.

Each weekly episode was taped twice in front of different audiences. The best parts were edited together, but only two takes meant that even “flubbed” lines would sometimes make the cut.

Tim Conway was always trying to make Harvey Korman break character.

Tim Conway was known for improvising and deliberately trying to get other cast members to laugh during taping. Korman fell for Conway’s tactics nearly every time.

Lawrence was a one-hit wonder.

Lawrence had a hit single, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” that reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1973. A lot of people didn’t realize that the singer and the comedienne were one and the same.

The print dress Burnett always wore as Eunice was a thrift-store find.

The “family” sketch called for Eunice to wear a “Tennessee Williams”-type dress. Costume designer Bob Mackie found the perfect 1930s frock in a thrift shop.

Dick van Dyke was a flop.

Harvey Korman left after the 10th season and executives brought on Dick van Dyke as a replacement. But audiences didn’t love the chemistry (or lack thereof) between van Dyke and Burnett, Conway and Lawrence, so he left the show after three months.

Conway turned down a Mr. Tudball spin-off.

Conway was offered the starring role in a Mr. Tudball spin-off in the 1980s but declined because he didn’t see much storyline potential—and because Burnett wouldn’t be playing Ms. Wiggins.

The show’s musical numbers are hard to come by.

Most of the show’s musical skits have not aired since the original network broadcast because of licensing issues.

Carol Burnett’s husband wrote the show’s theme song.

Joe Hamilton, executive producer for the show and Carol Burnett’s husband at the time, wrote the theme song. The couple divorced in 1984 after 21 years together.

SOURCE: COUNTRYLIVING.COM

Today is GA/FL’s 80^th birthday and when I think of her, I think of a Steel Magnolia—Clairee to be specific.  Strong, Southern, gorgeous, with a quick wit—that’s Clairee AND GA/FL.

I found an article about the movie and wanted to share some interesting facts about it.

From: Southern Living

When playwright Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias back in 1987—his poignant tribute to his sister’s journey to motherhood and eventual death from diabetes complications—he undoubtedly had no idea that decades later, people would still be quoting it regularly. 

Harling’s witty play had a successful off-Broadway run. Then TriStar Pictures bought the movie rights and Harling edited the script, transforming the play into a movie. The 1989 film had an all-star cast that included Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts.

Since then, the Steel Magnolias play had a four-month run on Broadway in 2005, and the movie was remade by Lifetime in 2012, this time starring Queen Latifah. 

But Harling’s clever words like “I’m not crazy … I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years” and “If you can’t say anything nice about anybody, come sit by me” have become fodder for jokes with family around the table or friends in the salon. More so, the 1989 film’s powerful portrait of family, hope, loss, grief, and happiness, and strong Southern friendships has become a smash hit that has lasted through the ages. The film is a Southern staple with something for everyone who loves to laugh, cry, or eat armadillo cake. Here are 17 things you might not know about Steel Magnolias.

Steel Magnolias Was Based On A True Story

Actor and writer Robert Harling wrote the play based on the true story of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who died from complications with diabetes. “She was the only person that had been with me for forever,” Harling told Southern Living. “When we lost her, when she died in 1985, I was really in a very bad state with her loss.” He began writing the play after learning his brother-in-law remarried months after his sister’s death.

The Movie Offered Healing For Harling’s Family

Harling wanted his mother to leave the set when they filmed Julia Roberts’ death scene, but his mother insisted on staying so she could see Julia get up and walk away after the director yelled cut. “I said, ‘I can’t believe you put yourself through that,'” Harling recalled saying to his mother in an interview with the Huffington Post. “But Julia had become so special to my parents. She took some peace with that.”

The Film Featured Real People

The nurses and other hospital staff seen in Julia Roberts’ life-support scenes were actual medical professionals who tended to Harling’s sister in her final days. Harling himself played the minister who presided over Shelby’s wedding and funeral.

It Took 10 Days To Write

“The events that inspired it were so powerful that, after I found the story arena, it just poured out into my typewriter in a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness,” Harling told Garden & Gun about the speedy writing process. “I had no idea what I’d written. I asked the first person I gave it to if it even looked like a play. I wasn’t really sure. All I knew was that I felt it portrayed my sister’s life and spirit accurately, and that was enough for me.”

It Was Originally A Short Story

Harling originally wanted to turn his sister’s life into a short story, but it quickly turned into a play because he wanted its Southernness to come out. “I was an actor, so I thought, well, I know what a script looks like, and I know what dialogue looks like,” Harling told Southern Living. “I’m just gonna try to write this as a play. So, I did.”

Harling’s Sister Inspired More Than Just Shelby

When Harling hit a patch of writer’s block while working on the play, he channeled his sister for one of its most famous scenes. “I said, ‘What would Susan do?’ And what Susan would do would be outrageous,” he told Today. “She would do something completely inappropriate and totally out of the box.” The result is that at Shelby’s funeral, when her mother M’Lynn is understandably distraught, Clairee cheekily suggests that M’Lynn take out her grief by hitting Ouiser. “Here, hit this!” Clairee says in one of the film’s memorable moments.

Other Actresses Were Considered To Play Shelby

Originally, Winona Ryder was considered for the part of Shelby, but producers decided she was too young. Instead, they settled on Meg Ryan, who committed to the role before dropping out for a little film called When Harry Met Sally. That’s when Julia Roberts stepped in.

“We brought her in, and she was Julia Roberts, so she was magic. She just walked into the room and lit it up, and I thought, that’s my sister,” Harling told Southern Living. (Coincidentally, Roberts later passed on the lead for You’ve Got Mail, which went to Ryan, Roberts told Andy Cohen in 2023.)

Another fun fact about the role of Shelby? When Nicole Kidman was starting out as an actress in Australia, one of her earliest roles was Shelby in the stage version of Steel Magnolias.

Hollywood Royalty Wanted In

Elizabeth Taylor went to see Steel Magnolias during its off-Broadway run, and thanks to her rave review, Hollywood legend Bette Davis called up Harling and started a push to be cast in the film as Ouiser. She also thought that Katharine Hepburn could make a fantastic Clairee and Elizabeth Taylor would be perfect as M’Lynn. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Harling said that Davis even invited him to tea to convince him that she was right for the role. The role, of course, went to Shirley MacLaine.

Harling Wrote Truvy For Another Actress

While Dolly Parton was perfect in the role of beauty shop owner Truvy, the part was actually written for someone else entirely—Margo Martindale. Harling and Martindale were friends in real life, and he wrote the role for her to play. She originated the role of Truvy in the play’s off-Broadway debut.

It Was Filmed In The Author’s Hometown

Playwright Robert Harling grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and insisted on filming there. His decision had a huge impact on the town, which can still be felt today. “For everyone who has seen the movie outside of Natchitoches, it is synonymous with the movie,” Natchitoches Convention and Tourism Bureau former Executive Director Arlene Gould told The Shreveport Times. “It had a tremendous impact on the tourism trade and on our community.” You can even take a self-guided tour of the filming locations.

Steel Magnolias Led To Soapdish

After long days on set in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the cast would gather together to play games and chat. One night, according to the Huffington Post, Harling asked each actress to name the role she’d most like to play. Sally Field said she always played “really noble, earnest women that wear crummy clothes. For once I’d like to play a b—h that gets to wear nice clothes.” Harling loved the idea and started to think about a seeming sweetheart who was truly devilish. Soon after, Soapdish was born, and Field got to play the role of her dreams as an aging soap opera star who plots to ruin her co-star’s career in the 1991 film.

There Was A Steel Magnolias TV Show

CBS aired a pilot episode of a Steel Magnolias TV series in August 1990, but the show never made it to a full series. Perhaps CBS should try again, though. When Lifetime created its 2012 version of the film starring Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, and Condola Rashad, it was the channel’s third-most-watched telecast ever.

The Film Sparked A Real-Life Romance

The sparks you saw between Roberts and her on-screen beau, Dylan McDermott, were real. When filming began on Steel Magnolias, Roberts was dating actor Liam Neeson, her co-star in 1988’s Satisfaction. Then, she allegedly broke up with Neeson to date—and eventually become engaged to—McDermott. They never made it to the altar, though. Their relationship ended in 1990.

Visitors Can Stay At The Steel Magnolia House

The historic Natchitoches house where Steel Magnolias was filmed is now a bed-and-breakfast and has been renamed The Steel Magnolia House. Guests can stay in rooms named after characters like Clairee, Ouiser, and Annelle.

The Christmas Scenes Were Filmed In August

Southern summers can be scorchers, but that didn’t stop the cast and extras from donning their finest Christmas sweaters and winter hats to film the Natchitoches Christmas festival scenes. It might have been 100 degrees during filming, but it sure looked like December, thanks to the magic of the movies.

The Movie Has Inspired Others To Donate

Harling told Today that a fan reached out to tell him that watching the film inspired them to donate a kidney to a neighbor in need. While Oscar nominations and Tony Awards are undoubtedly exciting, inspiring someone to save a life sounds like a truly incredible reward for a playwright.

Shirley MacLaine Knew The Movie Was Special

It was while filming one of those blazing hot Christmas festival scenes that Shirley MacLaine turned to playwright Robert Harling and told him she thought the film was important.

“I think it revealed all the intricacies and the diversity of women’s friendships,” MacLaine later told Southern Living, reflecting on the movie’s long-lasting legacy during its 25th anniversary.

“And we experienced that on the set. We made very good friends that are still there for us,” she said. “I think that, especially now, I think it’s still resonating because we know we find comfort in each other and we can be honest and we can be cruel, and we can be funny. And we can be sarcastic and also know that we’re there for each other always. So I think that’s something we long for in this culture.”

Sally Field Wanted To Do The Movie Because Of One Scene

There’s a dramatic funeral scene in which Sally Field’s character M’Lynn “skates back and forth through the five stages of grief in roughly five minutes,” writes Jen Chaney for Vulture. In an interview with Chaney, Field says that “humdinger of a scene” was “the crux of the film” and one of the main reasons she chose to take on the role. “It is about loss and sadness and grief and rage, but ultimately it’s about friendship,” she says. “It’s about these women who hang with her. Every step of the journey she takes in that speech — she walks up and down the dirt road of the cemetery and they’re right there with her, feeling it with her, and ultimately they make her laugh. It’s about the very best of what women friends are.”

Director Herbert Ross Was Particularly Hard On One Cast Member

In her interview with Jen Chaney for Vulture, Sally Field remembers director Herbert “Herb” Ross giving her “the freedom to do whatever” but being “very, very, very hard on Julia.” Though she says the cast members “would all rally around Julia, because she was the baby,” Ross “just picked on her.” “It was awful,” she says. Field specifically remembers castmate Dolly Parton turning right back on Ross with “the most vulgar humor you ever heard.” To be a fly on that wall!

SOURCE: SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

GA/FL I hope you have a fantastic day!!

Glasshouse Fragrances ‘Night Before Christmas’ Dancing Sugar Plums Interior Fragrance Gift Set

“If you have a holiday party — or seven — to attend, finding a non-cliché hostess gift can get tricky (not everyone likes the seasonal scent of pine trees or cranberries!). Nothing about these Glasshouse candles is ordinary: From the exquisitely designed, super evocative jars to the premium fragrance blends, they all ooze that glam ‘wow’ factor. The Dancing Sugar Plums scent is my favorite (a subtle fruity floral with just a hint of spice), but honestly, everything in its Holiday Jewels collection is a winner… and all fabulously packaged, too, so they’re ready to go.” — Eunice Lucero-Lee, Senior Editor, Reviews

Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil

“I put this on literally every hot meal I’ve made in the last year. You don’t cook with it; you just drizzle it on top of whatever food you make once you’re finished with it. It makes anything you’ve just made, whether it’s just eggs and toast or homemade pasta, notably punchier and more flavorful than without it. If you’re an aspiring chef or just a lazy cook like me, throw this olive oil on your food and let your taste buds take it from there.” — TP

Cozy Earth Women’s Studio Jogger

“These have become my go-to work-from-home sweatpants. I literally look forward to doing laundry because it means I can wear these pants again. Thanks to their modal fabric, they’re SO soft, and the pants come in three cute colors. It is on the pricier side at $175 for a pair, but I think they would make for a nice splurgy gift. I could totally see this being a great Christmas gift this year.” — Micki Wagner, former Commerce Editor

Repos Production ‘7 Wonders’ Board Game

“If you love Catan or any sort of adventure/civilization type of board game, this is for you. Not only is this one of the prettiest board games I own and always get compliments on, but it is so much fun! I’ve played this with my teen niece and nephew as well as my twentysomething friends, and they have all enjoyed it. Although the rules are a bit to digest in the beginning, once you get through that first practice round, you’re good to go. The game has a good balance of interacting with other players and focusing mainly on building out your individual “wonder.” The best part is you don’t know who has won until the very end when you count up your final victory points. Add this to your game nights!” — Saba Ahmed, Assistant Commerce Photo Editor

Huckberry Vintage Wash Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt

“Who doesn’t like cozy fleece in the winter? An old hoodie is fine for around the house but I don’t like going out in them. This quarter-neck zip fleece is slightly more dressed up while still being warm and comfortable. It’s cut in a relaxed fit and has been washed for softness. The sweatshirts are also made in the U.S. from domestic cotton.” — Danny Perez, Commerce Editor

Crate & Barrel Monochrome No. 5 Rain Reed Diffuser

“I discovered these candles and diffusers while perusing the cereal bowl section at a Crate & Barrel and have not been able to get them off my mind since. Every other rain-scented fragrance I’ve encountered (and being a perfumery graduate, I’ve come across a lot) has not been able to evoke the fresh, cozy melancholy that this cypress-forward one does. It’s clean, slightly green, almost Scandi; it also has just the right amount of vanilla to keep you hooked AF. Also, no notes on that super-giftable minimalist aesthetic. Get your fave hostess the candle, the diffuser, anything in this scent family, really (a close second: Citron), and watch them genuinely squeal in delight.” — ELL

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds

“These wired (yes, wired) earbuds deliver high-quality sound via Bluetooth, and unlike most wireless earbuds, are very difficult to lose. Simply pop one bud in each ear, and drape the wire connecting them across your neck. It’s unobtrusive and gives your earbuds a natural place to sit when you pop them out. Better still, the backs of both buds are magnetized, so when you bring them together, they send a signal to your phone to pause your music or podcast. For a friend or family member who’s misplacing things constantly, these will save them from regularly having to replace expensive wireless earbuds in the future.” — JG

Edifier W830NB Wireless Over Ear Headphones

“In a year when the market for budget-friendly wireless headphones reached a higher level, the under-$80 (before frequent discounts) Edifier W830NB cans stood out by delivering more value per dollar than any rival. The over-ear headphones impressed me with high-quality sound, support for immersive spatial audio, strong noise cancellation, and fantastic battery life. Combined with their elegant design and comfy fit, these qualities consistently made me feel like I was using a costlier set of headphones.” — SV

Nécessaire The Body Wash Olibanum

“True story: I’m a Nécessaire fanatic and promise you need the brand’s latest drop. The Body Wash quickly became my go-to shower gel since its launch in 2019, and the 2024 upgrade proves that good things don’t need to be fussy. There are currently three new scents to choose from, but I gravitate toward the Olibanum version. The light blend of frankincense, vanilla, cassis buds, and lily of the valley ensures my shower time smells like a sweet and spicy spa day. The Olibanum Body Wash also now contains vitamin C for a brighter complexion, antioxidant-rich vitamin E, and a trio of enzymes to improve uneven skin tone. It’s also the perfect treat for someone who is hard-to-please like a mother figure — my mom is currently obsessed with her bottle, so I’m confident yours will be, too.” — Nicole Saunders, Beauty Editor

Silky Professional Big Boy Folding Saw

“Contestants on the History Channel TV show Alone often bring a larger version of this saw as one of their ten allotted items, but most of us aren’t trying to survive on our own for three months in the arctic. For those with property to maintain or go camping, a high-quality folding saw like the Silky Big Boy will exceed expectations. It folds to a compact size that can be safely carried in a backpack and delivers quick and efficient cuts (on the pull stroke) so you can quickly assemble wood for your campfire without expending much energy. If you’ll be cutting down the family Christmas tree, this saw would also make a great companion, as it’s easy to carry and stowed in a bag.” — Colin Aylesworth, Deputy Editor, Reviews

Otella Cooling Body Spray

“These sprays work so well and are a godsend after a workout or a ride (or dog walk, or honestly just a walk around the block some days) on a hot day. Plus, they smell amazing!” — Natascha Grief, Health and Fitness Editor

Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Balm

“Nobody wants dry hands! Greasy palms aren’t exactly desirable, either. That said, I am truly so grateful that the Aesop Aromatique Hand Balm exists. The product has my hands feeling hydrated and light whenever I layer it on. There’s no lingering residue or sticky feeling afterward. (Especially important for those who type on keyboards frequently.) Aesop offers this in three different scents, but my favorite is Reverence, which gives off a smoky and wood-like aroma. I seriously use this every day, and I think everyone else should, too.” — Josiah Soto, Digital Content Producer

Whoop Fitness Tracker 4.0

“Whoop 4.0 offers a more complete picture than most other fitness trackers provide since it measures metrics such as sleep, recovery, and stress (among other things) and allows you to track over time so you can analyze how your body responds to, well, everything. The 4.0 model now also tracks body temp and respiratory rate, which provides an even more detailed reporting of strain, stress, and recovery. Whoop has also recently released a line of sport-specific technical clothing (Assos bibs for cyclists, for example) that seamlessly integrate data collection with built-in Whoop pods.” — NG

Bruvi Coffee and Tea Bundle

“This machine can brew everything from iced coffee and tea to espresso and infused drinks. The interface is tech-savvy yet user-friendly, and there are several helpful features like a used pod receptacle, personalization options, and app compatibility. I love the iced coffee setting because the Bruvi brews at a lower temperature so your ice doesn’t melt and water down your beverage.” — Amber Joglar, Reviews Editor

lululemon Beyondfeel Trail Running Shoes

“2024 is the year I became a fan of lululemon shoes. This is my new favorite running errands and dog-walking shoe. It’s not so much a trail shoe that I feel like I’m wearing a boot, but it has good grip and stability.” — Donna Raskin, Senior Health and Fitness Editor

Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker

“A fresh take on a legendary product, the Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker is an excellent gift option for anyone in need of a sound upgrade. The portable gadget can blast high-quality sound anywhere and, thanks to an IP67 rating, survive exposure to water and dust. In addition to flawless integration with Apple and Android devices, the Pill is easy to locate and capable of powering up their phone.” — SV

Nomad Stand One Max

“The Stand One Max by Nomad is my favorite MagSafe charger to arrive this year and a great gift for Apple enthusiasts who rock an iPhone, an Apple watch, and AirPods or other wireless earbuds with wireless charging. Crafted from metal and glass, the accessory looks decidedly luxurious and feels incredibly crafted. Of course, it can also rapidly charge Apple gear.” — SV

 

GiftedGold Custom Album Cover

“I got my closest friends a custom-made poster of their favorite albums from this Etsy store last Christmas, and it was a hit. Each poster features the cover of your selected album, a row of colors matching the album’s artwork, and a list of each track. The final result makes for a nice piece of wall art that can easily be framed.” — XP

Opinel High Carbon Steel Dinner Knives

“If you’re like me, buying a new set of knives is something you put off as long as possible. I cut with dull knives for years until I got this colorful set from Opinel as a gift. The knives are made in France and feature stainless steel blades and hand-varnished hornbeam wooden handles. They also come in an easy-to-wrap box.” — RK

SOURCE: BESTPRODUCTS.COM

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts.  If you’re not the best at choosing gifts for the special people in your life, I found an article detailing the “best” gifts for this year.  Most of these gifts are pricey and some are just odd—a heated eye massager?? REALLY??? Who needs that??

lululemon Go Getter Bag 2.0

“Give your exercise-obsessed giftee this versatile gym bag from lululemon for Christmas this year. It has designated space for sweaty workout clothes, their water bottle, and all other essentials they need at the gym. But it’s also great for travel, too, thanks to its water-repellent fabric and padded handles for comfy carrying. It also has an interior padded pocket for a 16-inch laptop and a quick-access pocket for their phone. It will become an instant mainstay in their accessories collection.” — Best Products Staff

Renpho Eye Massager with Heat

“Give your recipient’s eyes a break with this heated eye massager. It features internal heating pads, built-in speakers to listen to Bluetooth music, adjustable compression, and five different massage modes to help your recipient’s eyes relax. Thanks to its foldable and portable design, they can take it wherever they go. It’s so relaxing, they might even use it to get some much needed shut-eye. Bonus: It helps ease dark circles, too!” — Best Products Staff

Skylight Calendar Max

“The Skylight 27-inch is a home digital calendar that makes life easier. you can load your family’s Outlooks, Gcal, iCal, and more into the system so that everyone knows each other’s schedule. You can import them one by one as well. We use it so that the kids know when we’re going to be out, and we know when they have after-school activities.” — CB

Golfguru Golf Practice Net

“If your dad (or any other golfer in your life) can’t always hit the links, this is the best Christmas gift to bring the links to him. This golf training kit comes with a tri-turf golf hitting mat, 10 golf balls, seven golf tees, two golf rubber tees, and a hitting net that features one large target and three chipping target pockets so he can practice all his shots and swings from the comfort of his home. And since it can be set up in less than 5 minutes, your favorite golfer can spend more time practicing their swing than dealing with gear.” — Best Products Staff

Carhartt Deluxe Insulated Lunch Bag

“Lunch boxes may seem too practical, but this option from Carhartt is definitely gift-worthy — especially for the teachers on your list. It features two insulated compartments for extra storage, a zippered pocket ideal for utensils, and two carrying options — a top handle and shoulder strap. It’s also made of durable water-repellent fabric, so your recipient can take it on rainy days and know their food will be safe. Choose from five colors to make the gift feel more personalized for your recipient.” — Best Products Staff

Netany Drinking Glasses Set

“This drinking glass set will help your recipient ditch plastic one drink at a time. They’ll have everything they need for worry-free sips and a move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. This includes four can-shaped glass cups with a 16-ounce capacity, four lids made from 100% bamboo, and four reusable glass straws. It also comes with a pair of brushes so they can make sure the straws stay squeaky clean between uses.” — Best Products Staff

Intoval 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

“If your loved one is an Apple user, they will love this Christmas gift. It will not only give them a designated space to store all their devices but also offers wireless charging. Its sleek design can hold an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, so all their devices can charge at one time without a mess of cords. We’re confident that this useful gift will have a permanent spot on their desk or nightstand.” — Best Products Staff

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

“Keeping tea, coffee, and hot cocoa warm has never been easier than with Ember’s genius smart mug. It can be controlled with a smartphone and has a long-lasting battery. It maintains their preferred sipping temperature (up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit), so they don’t have to run to the microwave occasionally to heat up lukewarm java. It’s convenient, clever, and something your recipients probably wouldn’t buy themselves — all the ingredients for one of the best Christmas gifts.” — Best Products Staff

Lost Boy Entertainment ‘Words Are Hard‘ Card Game

“This game is fast-paced and competitive but still accessible. Because the premise is based on the pictures on the cards, basically anyone of any age can play. I’ve played this before over drinks with some friends and at a birthday party with my young family members; both times were equally fun. It’s also easy to play with larger groups because you rotate between turns so quickly that nobody is ever left waiting for long. The game is nearly impossible to play without getting a little too competitive.” — Tom Price, Associate Editor, Reviews

Razer Kishi Ultra Gaming Controller

“The Razer Kishi Ultra mobile gaming controller is the new gold standard for design, ergonomics, and performance in its product category and rightfully one of my favorite gadgets of 2024. Its full-size grips, onboard switches with best-in-class performance and tactility, and customizable RGB lighting can transform any phone — with or without a case — into a portable gaming console.” — Stefan Vazharov, Senior Technology Editor, Reviews

Gurgle Pot Beverage Pourer

“As the name implies, this pitcher will create a gurgling sound after each pour when placed upright, and it’s always a delight whenever we have friends or family over for dinner. The pitcher’s open-mouthed fish design is certainly unique, but it’s so charming and great for anyone who wants a statement piece for their kitchen or dining area. It comes in different color options, too.” — Xavier Piedra, Senior Editor, Reviews

Dupray Bloom Air Purifier for Large Rooms with Planter

“Adding another clunky appliance into a small apartment is a bummer, but feels necessary after a year of constant construction pollution, wildfire smoke, and intense allergies. This Dupray air purifier is much less of an eyesore than the traditional boxy design. You can use it as an accent table or a planter and simultaneously have it purifying over 1500 square feet with its HEPA-13 filter. Dupray gives you a choice of finishes for the tabletop and the color of the mesh around the base, too!” — Bridget Clegg, Senior Digital Art Director

Bearaby Hand-Knit Weighted Blanket for Adults

“I am someone who relies on a lot of assistance to get a good night’s rest. A weighted blanket is critical for me, and my favorite blanket is by Bearaby. It’s a woven style with a soft cover and a deeply weighted feel. It’s also machine washable, which, as a hot sleeper, makes things feel cleaner overall.” — Cat Bowen, Senior Editor for Commerce, Reviews

Clixo Super Rainbow (60-Piece Pack)

“This Christmas gift can help break a kid’s screen addiction by giving them a huge collection of Clixo’s beloved multisensory toys to fiddle around with. The magnetic, flexible shapes can be turned into any 2D and 3D shape a child can imagine, whether they want to build a dog, a hat, or a plane. The kit also fosters open-ended play and helps kids develop creative confidence and innovation skills, so it’s a Christmas gift parents can appreciate, too!” — Best Products StaffApple AirTag (4-Pack

“Imagine never having to worry about where you left something ever again. Thanks to Apple AirTags, you can gift that sense of relief to all the forgetful folks on your list! These tags stick onto just about anything — from wallets to dog collars — and they work as a tracker, so your gift recipient will always know where their things are. If they can’t find their item immediately, they can activate an audio alarm to help locate it. And if they do lose something, they can report it as lost in the Find My network, which comes standard with all Apple devices.” — Best Products Staff

Anker MagGo Power Bank

“Anker’s MagGo Power Bank (10K) has been my go-to iPhone battery pack since its launch in early 2024. Featuring support for the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard and ample battery capacity, the accessory treated my iPhone 15 Pro Max to quick and easy power-ups on the move. Its built-in viewing stand, fast USB-C port, and color display were also handy for monitoring the charging process.” — SV

Badesofa Back Bath Pillow

“For whoever loves to spend time in the bathtub, this pillow makes it easy to find comfortable positions and up the experience.” — Pavlína Černá, Senior Features Editor

Rumpl Original Puffy Camping Blanket

“I love when gear intended for outdoorsy stuff does double-duty as home decor. That’s the case with Rumpl’s Original Puffy blanket, which is an excellent addition to any camping trip but also looks great unfurled on my bed or couch as a throw. The insulated puffer’s water-resistant ripstop nylon shell is super-soft, pulled up against your nose and chin, and a sewn-in clasp along the edge transforms the blanket into a cape. It’s available in more than two dozen colorful, groovy graphic prints and a few solids, and it stores in a matching stuffsack.” — Rachel Klein, Deputy Editor, Reviews

Bird Buddy Original Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

“From bird lovers to new homeowners, this smart bird feeder is a surprising gift idea that’s sure to win Christmas. It features a high-resolution AI-powered camera that captures photos, recognizes over 1,000 bird species, and works with a convenient companion app that notifies your recipient of any feathered visitors — so your loved one won’t miss any of the action when they’re not at home. It’s also lightweight, weather-resistant, and made of recyclable plastic housing.” — Best Products Staff

Cave Tools Barbecue Spatula with Bottle Opener and Serrated Edge

“This heavy-duty spatula does more than flip burgers: Its serrated edge cuts through even the fattiest piece of meat to check for doneness or create perfect-sized portions. It also has a built-in bottle opener for your griller to pop a cold one the next time they’re on duty. And when they’re done, it’s dishwasher-safe for extremely easy clean-up.” — John Gilpatrick, Senior Editor, Reviews

SOURCE: BESTPRODUCTS.COM