Slate V Podcast Feed show

Slate V Podcast Feed

Summary: Slate V features video from the online magazine Slate.com.

Podcasts:

 Happy Chocolate Day | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

For the romantics, there is Valentine’s Day, but for the hardcore chocolate lover there is Chocolate Day. On Feb. 9, cocoa consumers have an excuse to indulge [[in? I think you indulge a person/or a craving you indulge in something]] a little extra. Is it actually a holiday? Well, only if you’re paying attention to Twitter, the chocolate industry, or your sweet tooth. But why not? Research suggests chocolate can be good for your heart and reduce blood pressure. It also gives a little endorphin zap to the brain with mood-enhancing Theobromine. Historically cultivated and used by the Aztecs and Mayans, the cocoa bean didn’t enter the European or colonial American diet on a mass scale until the 1800s, when some of the first chocolate companies like Cadbury and Nestlé were started. Now, it’s a global product, and a sweet one at that.

 Will Ferrell’s Hilarious Bulls/Hornets Starting Lineup Introduction | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Last night’s Bulls/Hornets NBA game in New Orleans got an extra dose of hilarity when Will Ferrell was brought in to announce the starting line ups. Adding fake facts and insults to the standard Name/Height/Position intros, the star of basketball spoof Semi Pro laid down some real gems. Not a bad way to start the game, considering that without Farrell, the '80s theme night would have only featured a dancing Rubik's cube. The Bulls went on to a 90-67 victory, and Will Ferrell's comic skills will again be on display when he plays a Mexican rancher saving his father’s farm from drug barons in March’s Casa de Mi Padre.

 Russell Brand Doesn’t Want Katy Perry’s Money in Divorce | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Could it be possible that chivalry in the celebrity Hollywood world is not extinct? Actor and comedian Russell Brand will reportedly not seek a huge chunk of pop star Katy Perry’s fortune as part of the couple’s divorce—even though he has a legal right to do so. According to TMZ, Brand’s lawyers filed divorce papers this week and notably lacking was an attempt to split up Perry’s $44-million earnings during the marriage, from singing about cherry chapstick and kissing girls and whatnot. Sources tell TMZ there was no prenuptial agreement, and though he’s no pauper, Brand will walk away from the reportedly amicable divorce with a lot less money. More proof that Russell Brand acts better off the big screen than on it.

 Giants’ Brandon Jacobs: Gisele Should Stay Cute and Shut Up | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Yes, the Super Bowl is over, but the trash talk and personal fouls continue! Before the game, Tom Brady's supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen asked people to pray for him to win. After the game, she publicly complained about his receivers not being able to catch the ball—defying the long-standing cardinal rule of sports: You're supposed to win as a team, lose as a team. Enter Brandon Jacobs, loudmouthed running back for the Super Bowl winning Giants, who told reporters that Gisele "just needs to continue to stay cute and shut up." Granted, some might say the same of star running backs, but we digress. Was Jacobs statement sexist? Many are saying yes. Was Bundchen's comment unsportsmanlike? Arguably. The game's over folks. Can we all stop talking about it now? Please? TNC, Super Bowl, Gisele, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Brandon Jacobs, Giants, Patriots, Tom Brady Wife, Gisele Husband, Patriots running back

 Randy Travis Found Drunk in Church Parking Lot | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

North Texas is a long way away from Giants country, but that didn’t stop country singer Randy Travis from celebrating too much. During the wee hours of Monday morning, the Denton County Sheriff’s Department said an officer found Travis sitting in his car next to an open bottle of wine, and smelling like alcohol in the parking lot at the First Baptist Church. At first Travis used the oldest country singer excuse in the book for public intoxication—a fight with this girlfriend. But after a short stay in the Denton County jail, the performer released an apology for “what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl.” At least he didn’t try and say his dog died and his truck broke down.

 Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball Set Design Released | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Mama monster has given all of her little monsters a gift: Lady Gaga has released a sneak preview of the stage design for her upcoming tour, the Born this Way Ball. Gaga tweeted the artist's rendering at midnight, which revealed an elaborate medieval castle replete with a fortress wall that doubles as a runway. She explained the set via Twitter, writing: "To give you a bit of insight on the design of my new tour, the central area within the stage will be known as 'The Monster Pit.' ” She goes on to say that the enclosed area will be reserved for fans with general admission tickets who waited all night and are "dressed to Ball." Gaga released the set design after a strategic build up on Twitter, and perhaps not coincidentally, she's the first earthling (we assume) to hit 18 million followers.

 Chrystler’s Popular “It’s Halftime in America” With Clint Eastwood a Hit | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

As the dust from Super Bowl XLVI settles, fans are taking to the Internet to debate who won. Yes, the New York Giants, but more importantly, who scored the best commercial? Despite costing around $3.5 million for 30 seconds of airtime, many are complaining this year’s ad showing was lackluster. But Chrysler's “It's Halftime in America,” voiced by Clint Eastwood and touting Detroit's rebound from financial ruin, is drawing praise. A sort of follow-up to last year's "Born of Fire" ad featuring Eminem, which was viewed over 20 million times on YouTube, "Halftime in America" uses Chrysler's rebound as a pep-talk for America's economy. After nearly collapsing in 2008, Chrysler was rescued as part of a $12.5 billion bailout headed up by the White House. "This country can't be knocked out with one punch," Eastwood said. "It's halftime America. And our second half's about to begin." Hopefully the second-half of America’s big economic game won’t be as much of a nail-biter.

 Josh Hamilton’s Addiction Goes Public…Again | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Battling with addiction is an extremely difficult, and when you’re in the limelight, it can be even harder—just ask outfielder Josh Hamilton. The Texas Ranger All-Star player, who has been outspoken about his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, was drinking in a bar on Monday night in Dallas at Sherlock’s Pub & Grill, according to the Dallas Morning News. His teammate Ian Kinsler even showed up for what seemed to be an attempt at bringing Hamilton home, but he was reportedly unsuccessful. It was the second alcohol relapse in three years—an earlier incident of excessive drinking occurred in 2009 in Arizona, forcing Hamilton to speak publicly about his addictions. After being the number one draft pick in 1999, Hamilton missed seasons early in his career because of his alcoholism, but staged a big comeback. Hopefully his team and his family can keep him from having to stage another one.

 Angelo Dundee, Legendary Trainer to Muhammad Ali, Dies at 90 | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Muhammad Ali’s legendary trainer Angelo Dundee has died, and the sport of boxing has lost a man who defined what it means to have a guy in your corner. Dundee, who was 90, passed away in his Tampa, Fla. apartment after a brief illness according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He left behind one of the most storied training careers in boxing, having motivated Sugar Ray Leonard to win his biggest match and accompanying heavyweight champ Ali through most of his legendary career. In a bloody and violent sport, Dundee was known for his kindness; a great ambassador for boxing who often said, “It doesn’t cost anything more to be nice.” That may not have always been true for the 1992 boxing hall of fame inductee, who famously motivated Leonard during a fight with Tommy Hearns by yelling, “You’re blowing it son! You’re blowing it!” Leonard came back and won the fight with a knockout. Rest in peace, Angelo. Boxing misses you already.

 Courtney Love Crazier Than Previously Thought, According to Frances Bean Cobain Deposition | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

A newly released biography of Courtney Love (humorously titled Courtney Comes Clean) contains shocking but predictable revelations from Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Love and grunge god Kurt Cobain. The details, in the form of an unsealed deposition from a 2009 restraining order against Love, include such zingers as Frances’ claim that her mother “basically exists now on ... Xanax, Adderall, Sonata and Abilify, sugar and cigarettes," and that Love’s excessive habits led to the death of two family pets: A dog that ODed on Love’s pills and a cat that became trapped in piles of hoarded fabrics, trash, and paperwork. Love, who fronted the ’90s rock group Hole, is quoted in the book, saying, "I'm sober. I'm fabulous. I have a few character defects, but I'm not dishonorable, and I'm not a liar. I have a good heart." Frances Bean is now a model and artist in L.A.

 Before Watchmen Series Coming from DC Comics Without Original Creators | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: Unknown

Fans of Watchmen are praying to the comic book gods today that prequels can be better than The Phantom Menace. DC Entertainment is expected to unveil a set of seven books leading up to the highly influential Watchmen series—one of the most revered comic book titles in a quarter century. With the incredibly inventive name Before Watchmen, the new set of stories will reportedly follow the same familiar characters of Rorschach and Nite Owl. But don’t expect Before Watchmen to shed light on the original series’ famously cryptic ending; as the title suggests, the set will start this summer by filling in some of the back story for main characters. Will it live up to the original’s genius of damaged vigilantes in a fraught world of impending nuclear doom? Not according to original and since-estranged Watchmen author Alan Moore, who called the move “Completely shameless” in an interview with the New York Times. At least maybe the pictures will be nice?

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