The Buzz Log What’s hot on Yahoo! Buzz (and why)...

Our crack team of editors takes a closer look at the hottest trends on Yahoo! Buzz.

  • Runaway Toyota, Glenn Beck, and Lindsay's Lawsuit: Buzz Week in Review

    by Mike Krumboltz

    Mar 13, 2010

    What. A. Week. One of Hollywood's most famous starlets filed a lawsuit so bizarre, so unintentionally hilarious, laughter was the only suitable response. Elsewhere, Toyota continued to struggle with runaway cars, and a popular cable commentator was upstaged during a wacky interview. Read on for those stories and more with the Buzz Week in Review.

    Runaway Prius alert
    It was just another day for Toyota owner James Sikes when he took to the San Diego highway. Things quickly turned terrifying when he realized the gas pedal of his 2008 Prius was stuck and he had no way to slow down. Mr. Sikes called 911, and a member of the highway patrol was able to pull up alongside, told him to put the car in neutral, and then pulled in front of the Toyota to help slow it down. All things considered, the story had a happy ending. But much like the car itself, the searches were absolutely out of control. Immediately, lookups on "runaway prius" and "toyota with no brakes" both soared. But now, there are some rumblings about the runaway Prius being a hoax a la the "balloon boy." The company admitted to being "mystified" by the problem, and a writer for Forbes is highly suspicious. But law enforcement insists that "no evidence has emerged to suggest that Sikes was dishonest." The investigation will continue, but in the meantime Toyota put together a video to watch in the event that your car starts accelerating uncontrollably. Handy!

    Glenn Beck: Speechless
    Conservative commentator Glenn Beck isn't often upstaged. However, even the excitable Beck couldn't control disgraced Rep. Eric Massa from going on a strange, stream-of-conscious rant during an appearance this past week. Mr. Massa had recently resigned his post due to an ethics inquiry and allegations that he had harassed employees. During the interview with Beck, Massa admitted to "sexless groping and tickling of his staff, sending inappropriate text messages" as well as other personal failings. However, Massa contended, it was his "no" vote on health care reform that got him booted. During the interview, Beck often interrupted Massa, in an attempt to talk about his own problems. An article from Time magazine that broke down the odd exchange was one of our buzziest pieces of the week. Additionally, Web queries for "eric massa resigned" and "glenn beck interview" just wouldn't shut up in the Search box.

    The law according to Lindsay
    Actress and professional party girl Lindsay Lohan sued E-Trade for $100 million over a commercial that features a baby named Lindsay. Ms. Lohan contends that the ad, in which the baby Lindsay is referred to as a "milkaholic," capitalizes on her name and is clearly based on her. Ms. Lohan's lawyer contends that her client has "elevated 'Lindsay' to the same sort of one-off recognition status as 'Madonna' or 'Cher.'" Of course, that's debatable, and E-Trade has spoken out, saying it plans to defend itself "vigorously" and calling the lawsuit "without merit" (a nice way to put it, in our opinion). Regardless of (or more likely, due to) the apparent insanity of the lawsuit, searches on "lindsay lohan lawsuit" and "lindsay lohan etrade" both soared over 1,000% this past week. We can only assume amused law firms around the country forwarded articles about the story with record speed.

    Also buzzing this week...
    • Hollywood dreamboat Robert Pattinson has a new movie.
    • Steve Jobs will gladly accept your money now.
    • The ironically titled video game "Final Fantasy XIII" hit store shelves.

    Follow Buzz Log on Twitter.

    380 Votes
  • Searching for Daylight Savings

    by Claudine Zap

    Mar 13, 2010

    Daylight Saving Time is coming, and with it, longer, more light-filled days are on the way. Some may be surprised that Daylight Saving Time is already here. But there's a reason for that. Below, your Buzz round up of searches on the time change.

    When is it?
    We spring ahead the second Sunday in March. This year it's Sunday, March 14. While the first day of spring isn't for another week, we've gotten a jump on the season since 2007. In fact, we now get four more weeks of longer days, since Daylight Saving now goes through the first Sunday of November. You're welcome. Not all states observe the time difference: Hawaii and most of Arizona opt out.

    Why do we have daylight saving time?
    The hope is that we save energy -- since there's less of a need to switch on the lights if natural light will do. Studies have shown the electricity conserved on the new schedule is actually pretty nominal. But look on the bright side. Literally. Those longer light-filled days are sure nice. Searches on the time switch have increased 100% in the last week. The sunlight-deprived would like to know "what is daylight saving time," "daylight saving time dates," and "origins of daylight saving time."

    What is the history of daylight saving time?
    Fun fact: The idea was first floated back in 1784 by one Benjamin Franklin. While minister of France he wrote the essay "An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light." The idea failed to, um, see the light of day until practically 100 years later, when the U.S. railroads instituted a standardized time for their train schedules. That time change was imposed nationally during the first World War to conserve energy, but was repealed after the war ended. It became the national time again during World War II. After that, it was a free-for-all of states deciding if they wanted it, and when it would start and end. Congress finally enacted the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which decreed that if a state chose to opt in to daylight saving, it had to be at the same time as everyone else.

    Why does it start at 2 a.m.?
    The website LiveScience explains that's it's pretty much the least disruptive time of day to make a switch. After all, most of us are asleep. Those who work on Sunday usually start later than 2 a.m. And fair warning for anyone planning on attending church services or brunch that day.

    While the shift is only one hour, according to UPI, sleep disorder specialists say you should prepare yourself: You actually can lose sleep over the time change. Experts suggest going to bed 15 minutes earlier a few days before. Our unscientific suggestion: Sleep in on Sunday.

    10 Votes
  • Lady Gaga's New Video, Conan O'Brien's Road Show, Illegal Whale Sushi: What's the Buzz

    by Claudine Zap

    Mar 12, 2010

    Our top picks from the day's hottest searches.

    1. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (Searches increased by +20,422%). The former model/singer and first lady of France disputed rumors that both she and President Sarkozy are having extra-marital affairs.
    2. Conan O'Brien (+999%). The comedian who left his "Tonight Show" job has taken the show on the road.
    3. Sei whale (+645%). A restaurant and sushi chef were charged with illegally serving up the endangered whale meat.
    4. Harry Reid (+547%). The senate majority leader's wife and daughter were hospitalized from a car accident.
    5. Lady Gaga "Telephone" video (+526%). The just-released music video features Beyonce. Hott.
    9 Votes
  • 'Remember Me,' 'Green Zone,' 'She's Out of My League': Critics Roundup

    by Michael Krumboltz

    Mar 11, 2010

    Three new movies hit theaters this weekend, and they couldn't be more different. "Remember Me," a romantic drama, stars Hollywood "It Boy" Robert Pattinson. For action lovers who prefer to see buildings explode than lovers swoon, there's "Green Zone," starring Matt Damon. And if it's a comedy you want, "She's Out of My League" might do the job. What say those cranky critics?

    Remember Me
    Robert Pattinson rocketed to the top of Hollywood's A list after his breakout role as Edward Cullen, a vampire with a heart of gold, in the "Twilight" films. Fans (especially the ladies) love him, but the question remains: Can he carry a movie that doesn't feature bloodsucking studs? "Remember Me" is his chance.

    Reviews are mixed-to-negative. Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter was clearly impressed with the film and with Pattinson's performance. Mr. Honeycutt calls the film "a strong romantic drama in which Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin really shine." Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times also gives the movie a favorable review. The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist gives the film three out of four stars, calling it "a well-made movie." Ebert continues, "I cared about the characters. I felt for them."

    Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum would have to disagree with Ebert's assessment. Strongly disagree. Giving the movie a "D+," the critic calls "Remember Me" a "shameless contraption of ridiculously sad things befalling attractive people." Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe is even harsher. The movie, he argues, "crassly repurposes tragedy to excuse its clichés." Morris' ranking: half a star out of four.

    Green Zone
    Matt Damon reteams with director Paul Greengrass, who helmed two of the "Bourne" films, for this action flick with a political point of view. The film takes place during the quest for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq — a quest that, it turned out, was just a wild goose chase.

    Mr. Ebert is a believer in the film's vision. Awarding it four out of four stars, Ebert remarks that it "looks at an American war in a way almost no Hollywood movie ever has." Online critic James Berardinelli was also impressed, giving "Green Zone" three and a half stars out of four. It's "a high energy thriller," he writes. The critic also compliments Damon: "Damon's prior appearances as Jason Bourne make him credible in this role. There's never a disconnect to see him in this heroic, action-oriented part."

    Taking the praise down a couple of notches is Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly. She gives the movie a modest "C+" and describes it as "strangely dated" and "foolishly grandiose." She continues that Damon boasts an "understated efficiency and physical stolidity," but argues that the film feels like it should have come out two years ago.

    She's Out of My League
    What happens when a "hard 10" (the luminous Alice Eve) falls for a "5" (Jay Baruchel)? That's the question that "She's Out of My League" aims to answer. A male-insecurity comedy in the tradition of Judd Apatow's "40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up," the critics have this film closer to a 5 than a 10. Lucy Barber of The Boston Globe gives "League" two out of four stars, noting that while the movie's premise is "as tired as the Fray songs littering the soundtrack," snappy dialogue saves the movie.

    Matt Pais of Metromix is less generous with his grade. Giving the flick just one and half stars out of five, Pais argues that the movie is "mean-spirited" and "unbelievable." Baruchel's character is just too pathetic, he argues. Nobody wants to date a "spineless dope," let alone a bona fide bombshell. Mr. Ebert concedes that the movie "is not a comedy classic," but it is better than average. Using the film's own scale of worthiness, he gives it a 6.5.

    15 Votes
  • "Foxy Knoxy" Back in Buzz

    by Claudine Zap

    Mar 11, 2010

    Seems that some people can't stop talking about the Amanda Knox murder case. Even if those people are already in prison for murder.

    Here's the quick recap: Known by the press as "Foxy Knoxy," the American study-abroad student and her then boyfriend, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted, along with local resident Rudy Guede, of the 2007 sexual assault and murder of  college student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy.
    Learn more about the murder case.

    End of story, right? Not even close. Knox and Sollecito have always maintained their innocence, and their lawyers are working to overturn the case. And now this: A prisoner, Mario Alessi, went on record to deliver new testimony that he says exonerates the two. But as always with this case, nothing about the information is clear-cut.

    The convict is serving his own life sentence for a vicious crime. Alessi bunked with Rudy Guede, who was tried for Kercher's murder separately from Knox and Sollecito and supposedly confided in his cellmate.

    The latest bombshell: Alessi says that Guede confessed to him that the other two were not present at the time of Kercher's murder. News of the taped testimony caused searches on "amanda knox" to immediately skyrocket.

    Reactions predictably fell into Amanda or Meredith camps. Kercher's family called the claim "groundless," while Knox's mother said she was "encouraged" that her daughter's conviction could be overturned.

    Meanwhile, Guede denies he ever spoke to Alessi about the case, saying his were the ramblings of a "sick and twisted mind." Stay tuned.

    10 Votes