RATE IT! School House Rock Magnets

When I was little, part of the fun of watching Saturday morning cartoons was the educational interstitials that sang out during commercial breaks. 

Before the days of Canadian cable substitution (Canuck cable providers like to 'cover up' American ads with commercials from the Great White North when both a Canadian & American channel are airing the same program - yawn!), we used to get *ALL* American commercial content -- and during kids' programming that meant School House Rock intersititals! These cartoon, sing-a-long gems of learning -- featuring mathematics, grammar, even US history -- caught our kiddie eyes and had us following along & learning at the same time. These pieces were so fun and entertaining, we didn't even wise up to the fact that we had just learned our 8x tables. 

These learning aids are no longer broadcast on American TV but can be found on DVD, CD and now on magnets. Really cool! Conjunction Junction... I'm Just a Bill -- the faves are all here, granted Figure 8 & the Noun song are missing but as every kid from *my* generation knows, you can't always have everything!

RATE IT! Happy 50th, Barbie!

On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll was introduced to the world at the New York Toy Fair. 

In her lifetime, Barbie has seen much change in the toy world. Once the most popular plaything for young girls, today she's often overlooked. Video games and other technology-based toys have pushed dear Barbie into a lesser role in the playroom. Seems kids today do not require the use of their own imaginations, preferring to be spoon-fed by all the mod cons. 

Oh, what fun young girls are missing out on! The clothes, the glorious outfits! Some were even made by our Mums. The Barbie camper, swimming pool, airplane, dune buggy and apartment complete with elevator!  Yeah, it was a much more innocent time before the advent of Guitar Hero, iPods and the Wii but sometimes it feels like it was a much more heart-felt time too. Imaginations were cherished, encouraged to grow. 

Regardless of what clique Barbie travels in, regardless of her popularity, she'll always be an icon. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie! Enjoy your birthday celebrations. If only us mortals had such fuss made of us! DJ AM spinning at your bash, Heidi Klum amongst the invited, and designers a plenty queuing up to dress you - how lucky!

RATE IT! Andrew McCarthy, Gossip Boy

Ouch! The survival of 'Lipstick Jungle' is not looking good...

Andrew McCarthy, former Brat Packer, and recent star of 'LJ', has been cast in the 'Gossip Girl' spin-off as Lily's father. With this role, McCarthy is shifting full circle. The GG spin-off is set in the 80's, the decade we were first introduced to McCarthy in movies such as 'Class' and 'Pretty in Pink'. 

I'm of two minds of this casting. It's terrific to have him on board for the spawn of GG, but I hate to see the demise of 'Lipstick Jungle.' Lindsay Price has also been lured away, having joined ABC's 'Witches of Eastwick' pilot. No official word on the fate of 'Lipstick Jungle' has been announced but it looks like the writing is already on the wall. (photo: Getty Images)

RATE IT! One Week

Most movie goers are probably in rapture today over the long-anticipated release of the 'Watchmen' movie. Me, I *really* want to partake in 'One Week', a Canadian indie flick that also graces theatres in Canada today.

Starring Joshua Jackson, star of 'Dawson's Creek' & 'Fringe', 'One Week' centres on Ben, a young adult diagnosed with cancer and no hope of survival. Ben abandons his old life, his girlfriend & family and sets off on a cross-Canada motorcycle trip to clear his mind, accept his fate, and live his final days as fully as he can muster.

The movie has been described as a love-letter to the country, to wonderful music -- and thus it seems fitting that Jackson has been cast as the lead. A Canadian boy done good in Tinseltown but still free of many Hollywood entrapments to return home to tell such a moving yet tragic story... a story of a true 'hero', a young man facing his mortality bravely and with passion.

'One Week' certainly won't have the glitzy budget, star-power or box office success that 'Watchmen' will have, but it will offer more heart, drama and meaning than 'Watchmen' could ever dream of. I know which movie I'd rather see. 

HATE IT! Sushi Purse

Ew, something's fishy! 

Can't say that I'm a fan of this vinyl sushi coin purse. I guess you have to be a connoisseur of raw fish to truly appreciate this accessory - and I'm so not that person!

Obviously there is a market for such trinkets -- sushi-inspired erasers, jewelery -- it's all out there! I'd much rather cart around this Hostess cupcake-esque coin purse.

RATE IT! Fallon-Diaz Dance-off

New 'Late Night' host and SNL alum, Jimmy Fallon, stages a dance-off with guest, Cameron Diaz. Jimmy really should know better than to take on Cameron -- queen of booty shaking!

RATE IT! Creative Cursing

#*!&$@#!! Yeah, I'm tired of all the over-used curse words too. Seems these days it's impossible to spout off a swear-zinger that will slay your intended recipient - and where is the satisfaction in that?

Fear not, someone has got your back. Surprisingly, it's two women! Sarah Royal & Jillian Panarese have created this wonderfully snicker-worthy tome of curse combinations. 'Creative Cursing' offers word-laden pages that flip! You can let your fingers do the talking and flip towards the most powerful, awe-inspiring curse you can craft! 

Don't just flip the bird...flip this book!