Josh Roberts Blog

Facebook has released a list of the news stories that users shared most during 2011. Amazingly, the top story was shared more than 600,000 times.

Here's a rundown of the Top 10:

10. New Zodiac Sign Dates: Ophiuchus The 13th Sign? (The Huffington Post)
9. Giant crocodile captured alive in Philippines (Yahoo)
8. Dog in Japan stays by the side of ailing friend in the rubble (Yahoo)
7. You'll freak when you see the new Facebook (CNN)
6. At funeral, dog mourns the death of Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan (Yahoo)
5. Father Daughter Dance Medley (video) (Yahoo)
4. Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps (CNN)
3. No, your zodiac sign hasn't changed (CNN)
2. What teachers really want to tell parents (CNN)
1. Satellite Photos of Japan, Before and After the Quake and Tsunami (New York Times)


YEAR END: Fastest Rising Google Searches Of 2011

A bunch of stuff captured your interest and imagination in 2011 -- and you probably Googled a bunch of these topics.

Guess what. You weren't alone.

A lot of stuff got a lot of people excited enough to search for it.

Here's a rundown of the nine fastest-rising Google searches of 2011:

9. Steve Jobs
8. TEPCO (aka Tokyo's Fukushima I Plant)
7. Adele
6. iPhone 5
5. Battlefield 3
4. Casey Anthony
3. Ryan Dunn
2. Google+
1. Rebecca Black

BIGGEST CELEB BREAKUPS of 2011

Here are YourTango's picks for Top 10 worst celeb breakups/divorces of 2011:

10. Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio
9. Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris
8. Minka Kelly and Derek Jeter
7. George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis
6. Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard
5. Kat Von D and Jesse James
4. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
3. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
1. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

Just Asking ... Which celeb breakup/divorce do you think was the worst? Which surprised you most? Do you think any will get back together?

10 MOST OVER-EXPOSED CELEBRITIES OF 2011

According to CollegeCandy.com, these are the 10 most over-exposed clebrities of 2011. Do you agree?

1. The Kardashians
2. Miley Cyrus
3. Charlie Sheen
4. Taylor Swift
5. Jennifer Lopez
6. Lindsey Lohan
7. The Royal Family
8. Casey Anthony
9. Justin Bieber
10. Lady Gaga

BEST DRESSED WOMEN OF 2011

Here is Glamour's list of The 5 Best Dressed Women of 2011:

• Kate Middleton
• Kerry Washington
• Jenna Lyons (President and Executive Creative Director of J. Crew)
• Emma Stone
• Iris Apfel (90-year-old fashion icon)

KEEPING YOUR RESOLUTIONS

It's that time of year again -- time when we make those New Year's resolutions and vow that THIS is the year that we are going to keep them! But the fact is that very few of us keep our resolutions. In fact, studies show that a whopping 85% of people don't keep their resolutions for very long.

Want to beat the odds this year? First off you'll have a higher success rate if you pick just one resolution. And second, you need to start over again if you cheat. Too many people just throw in the towel once they slip.

BEST OF 2011: BEST SUBVERSIVE TV SHOWS OF THE YEAR

Sure, you could spend your time in front of the television watching financial news and insightful documentaries.

But why would you do such a thing when there are awesome TV shows out there -- shows that really push the limits of good taste?

TV is a place to go to get away. So, get away with some of these subversive gems:

• Jersey Shore -- It's worth watching the cast of this show just to make you feel better about yourself.
• Breaking Bad -- What's not to like about a show that focuses on meth trafficking in the New Mexico desert?
• Modern Family -- Remember how wholesome The Cosby Show and Family Ties were back in the 1980s? This show is nothing like that.
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills -- The women on this show are better at being mean to each other than anyone else on TV.

Plan on smooching your special someone this New Year's Eve? Follow these pointers for the perfect pucker:

• Choose a Smooth, Sweet Smelling Lip Gloss:Leave the sticky stuff for another night!

• Smile as you lean in for the kiss: Your smile lets him know how OK you are with the kiss and that there is no one else you would rather be smooching.

• Keep your eyes closed for a second after pulling away from the kiss: This lets him know you are savoring the kiss -- and that is an awesome ego boost for anyone! (Glamour)

Do you ever wonder how the ridiculously rich ring in the New Year? They most likely stay at a super swanky hotel with a price tag that most of us couldn't even fathom. The folks at Kayak.com put together a list of the world's most expensive New Year's Eve Hotel Suites ... a girl can dream, right?!

• The Bridge Suite, Atlantis, Bahamas -- $25,000/night
• The Penthouse Suite, Regent Beverly Wilshire, L.A. -- $25,000/night (This is the hotel from Pretty Woman)
• The Ty Warner Suite, Four Seasons, NYC -- $35,000/night
• The Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, The Palms, Las Vegas -- $40,000/night (AOL)

And for everyone else ...

CHEAP DATE IDEAS FOR NYE

Tightening the purse strings after blowing your holiday budget? Have no fear! It is possible to have an awesome New Year's Eve with your special someone without going into any more debt. Here are some fun, cheap date ideas:

• Invite a few couples over for drinks and a potluck dinner: This is way cheaper than a fancy overpriced dinner and probably more fun!

• Order take-out and have a movie marathon: This is great if you and your guy want to quietly, but romantically ring in the New Year -- just the two of you.

• Have dinner at the local diner or burger joint: If you really want to go out, but don't want to splurge, head to your favorite local dive or diner for burgers and milkshakes.

• Have a game night: Make it even more fun with cocktails!

NYE: THE NIGHT YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A ONE-NIGHT STAND

According to a survey, 33% of women admitted they were more likely to have a one-night stand on New Year's Eve than any other night of the year! Not only that, but another 29% of respondents said they'd hooked up with a co-worker at a holiday party. And 57% said they'd snuck off for a quickie during a holiday gathering. (LemonDrop.com)

2011 was a year of some astonishing, humiliating and downright appalling Sex Scandals! The most memorable are:

• The End Of Ashton And Demi:Ashton's affairs were just too much for Demi to handle. We all knew it wouldn't last forever, but it still snuck up on us!

• Anthony Weiner's "weiner":Ewwwww ...I mean really, Congressman ... this was headline news that no one wanted to see.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger's 13-Year-Old Love Child Confirmed: After denying numerous rumors of infidelity it's hard to save your marriage when the truth comes down to DNA.

• Herman Cain: Claims of sexual misconduct and a 13-year affair -- not good publicity for a presidential campaign.

• Charlie Sheen: Train wreck -- need we say more?

• Taylor Swift would like to be able to balance the kind of music her fans expect of her with some musical surprises. She says, "I'd love to make collaborations in different directions that aren't exactly expected."
• The newly engaged Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum says he and his band mates will continue working on maintaining healthy relationships with their loved ones. "I think continuing to find the balance, which is where we get our inspiration and where our songs come from, is this personal life."
• "The House that Built Me" was a monster hit for Miranda Lambert, but she didn't write it. She'd like to change that in 2012. "I'd love to actually write a song that was nominated for song of the year. That would be a huge thing to me."
• Blake Shelton would like to see Dia Frampton and Xenia -- his proteges from The Voice do well in 2012. He says, "I really would like to see Dia's record take off and do well, and Xenia has made a great record. My heart is there for them."
• In 2012, Brad Paisley says he's looking to shake things up a bit. He says he has some ideas on how to re-invent himself and have some fun with his success.

Here is Glamour's list of The 5 Best Dressed Women of 2011:

• Kate Middleton
• Kerry Washington
• Jenna Lyons (President and Executive Creative Director of J. Crew)
• Emma Stone
• Iris Apfel (90-year-old fashion icon)

Here are YourTango's picks for Top 10 worst celeb breakups/divorces of 2011:

10. Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio
9. Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris
8. Minka Kelly and Derek Jeter
7. George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis
6. Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard
5. Kat Von D and Jesse James
4. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
3. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
1. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

Every year, for better or worse, some celebrities make more noise than others.

According to Cracked.com, here's a rundown of some celebrities who really stirred the pot this year:

• Donald Trump -- A genius of manipulating national attention, he pretended to flirt with the idea of running for President before wisely dropping out.

• Tim Tebow -- As a quarterback, his throwing mechanics are so bad that it's laughable. But, he's the one laughing because the dude has been winning a lot of games since cracking the starting lineup.

• Charlie Sheen -- He dates prostitutes, chases women around with knives, does lots of drugs and drinks too much. What more do you want from your celebrities? Oh ... an epic meltdown? He does that, too.

• Kim Kardashian -- While Kim is just the latest in a long line of completely talentless people who are famous for being famous, she took things to new levels of crassness. Shame on any and all of you for paying attention to her.

• SEAL Team 6 -- Let's end the list on a happy note. These are the guys who snuck into Osama bin Laden's secret lair and took out the trash. Maybe the ultimate heroes of our generation.

The holidays can bring out the intensity in many couples' relationships -- both merry and Grinch-like.

Facebook did a study last year that showed that the two weeks leading up to Christmas was the most popular time for couples to break up. Basically, they examined changes in users' relationship status around holiday time.

But if it hasn't happened -- it probably won't ... at least until after the holidays. The study also showed that Christmas Day is the least popular day to split.

Just Asking ... Did you ever go through a break up before Christmas? Was it this year? Did you ever break up ON Christmas?

With Christmas just around the corner, many kids are asking for lots of expensive toys.

Some parents justify spending all the money on toys by pointing out that they can be educational.

That might be true, but according to a new study, the most educational toy out there is a set of building blocks.

Researchers from the University of Washington found that simple building blocks are more educational than screen-based toys like cell-phone apps, DVDs or video games.

The great thing about blocks is that kids are able to physically touch and smell and even taste blocks, which allows kids to develop faster than playing with a video game or watching a DVD. When kids are playing with blocks, they're truly using their creative side.

• Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
• Silent Night, Deadly Night
• Jingle All the Way
• Jack Frost
• Santa With Muscles
• Ernest Saves Christmas
• Home Alone 3
• Deck the Halls
• Surviving Christmas
• Christmas With the Kranks

Kim Kardashian has been named the "Most Ill-Mannered Person of 2011" by the National League of Junior Cotillions.

Kim took the title this year "for making a private matter public and disrespecting the institution of marriage."

On the other end, Kate Middleton was the "Best-Mannered Person of 2011." She got the nod "for the poise and dignity with which she conducts herself in the public spotlight." Taylor Swift was recognized "for inspiring young people with her music and her manners," and Justin Bieber "'for consistently showing courtesy to his fans." Better luck next year, Kim.

• 1940s -- Wooden Pull Along Walking Dog: $1.29
• 1940s -- World War II Model Planes: $1.00
• 1950s -- Metal Fire Truck: $2.49
• 1960s -- Troll Dolls: $1.44
• 1960s -- Mousetrap Game: $3.99
• 1970s -- Simon Game: $14.99
• 1970s -- Atari 400 Home Computer: $494.95
• 1980s -- Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head: $4.77
• 1980s -- Pound Puppies: $17.99
• 1990s -- Tickle Me Elmo: $27.99
• 1990s -- Tamagachi: $9.99
• 2000s -- Zhu Zhu Hamster: $8.79
• 2000s -- iPod Nano: $129.99

Taylor Swift is celebrating her 22nd birthday today. Now that she's accomplished pretty much everything, she tells us, "It would be the coolest thing in the world to keep doing it."

Randy Owen turns 62 today, and it's a good thing that he and his fellow Alabama members are coming back. He says he probably didn't enjoy his career enough the first time around.

• Top Country Albumgoes to Taylor's Speak Now, with Jason's My Kinda Party at number-two and Rascal Flatts' Nothing Like This at number-three. Lady A's Need You Now and Zac Brown Band's You Get What You Give round out the Top 5.
• Top Country Song finds Eli Young Band's "Crazy Girl" at the top, followed by Jake Owen's smash "Barefoot Blue Jean Night," Rodney Atkins' "Take a Back Road," Chris Young's "Tomorrow" and The Band Perry's "You Lie."

Toby Keith was named Artist of the Decade at last night's American Country Awards, but it was Jason Aldean who was the big winner of the night grabbing six awards.

In addition to winning Artist of the Year, Jason picked up the award for Touring Artist of the Year, Single of the Year by a Male Artist and Album of the Year for My Kinda Party, Music Video of the Year for a Group or Duo Collaboration for "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson. The pair also won for Single of the Year, Vocal Collaboration for the song.

Here's a rundown of the winners:

Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean

Artist of the Year: Male
Brad Paisley

Artist of the Year: Female
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Group
Lady Antebellum

Breakthrough Artist
Chris Young

New Artist of the Year
Scotty McCreery

Album of the Year
Jason Aldean - My Kinda Party

Single of the Year
Chris Young

Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean - "My Kinda Party"

Single of the Year: Female
Carrie Underwood -- "Mama's Song"

Single of the Year, Duo or Group
Thompson Square -- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

Single of the Year, New Artist
Thompson Square -- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

Single of the Year, Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay"

Touring Headline Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean

Music Video of the Year
Blake Shelton -- "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking"

Music Video of the Year: Male
Blake Shelton -- "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking"

Music Video of the Year: Female
Carrie Underwood -- "Mama's Song"

Music Video of the Year: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, "Don't You Want to Stay"

Music Video fo the Year: New Artist
Thompson Square -- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

Artist of the Decade
Toby Keith