radio show prep: jackass single mom, book it now, and how not to throw up before an interview

ShowStarters for Thursday 11.1.12

cuttin' cake

• American Idol runner-up Bo Bice is 37
• Jenny "why is she famous again?" McCarthy turns the big four-oh!
• Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl turns 26

Today is All Sants' Day

primetime thursday

abc: The 46th Annual CMA Awards
cbs: all new episodes tonight of The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Person of Interest, and Elementary
nbc: all new tonight -- 30 Rock, Up All Night, The Office, Parks and Rec, and Rock Center with Brian Williams
fox: The X Factor is live
cw: The Vampire Diaries and Beauty and the Beast are both new episodes

pop quiz: this day in music quiz

Remember Bow Wow Wow (PLAY)? On this day in 1980, they appeared at London's Rainbow Theater. The group had a back-up singer by the name of Lieutenant Lush... otherwise known to you and me as....

• Boy George
• George Michael
• Michael George

Answer: Boy George!

pop quiz: mystery voice

Who's the celeb talking about his two kids (on Michael and Kelly)?

PLAY

Answer: Don Cheadle!

joke of the day

Larry was startled to see the nonchalant way his buddy, Jason, was taking the fact that his girlfriend was cheating with another man.

“You said you loved her and yet you saw her with another man... and you didn’t knock the guy down?”

“I’m waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” asked Larry

“Waiting to catch her with a smaller guy.”

Being a single mom is no excuse for being a jackass

Nobody works harder than single moms and dads trying to keep a full time job and a family together. Nobody. Period (as VP Biden always says: PERIOD!).

That said, being a single parent does not give you an excuse for being a jackass. A photo was tweeted of a receipt left by a single mom after paying for her $140 meal. On the 'tip' line, she wrote: "Single mom, sorry."

But then followed it up with a compliment: "Thank you, it was great."

Of course, the single mom has no idea whether the waitress may be a single mom, as well. It seems to me it doesn't matter -- if you're going to pay $140 for a meal, cough up an extra 10 for a tip... too harsh?

This one is going around. As a former waitress, I feel for the server! imgur.com/gallery/92iOH
— STFU, Parents (@STFUParents) October 30, 2012

Book now!

Wallet alert! If you're planning on flying anywhere for the holidays, grab your computer and book a ticket now -- prices are creeping up. Reasons: Fuel prices are higher, flight cutbacks, and more demand this time of year.

Travelocity's "price to beat" for Thanksgiving this year is $386 -- a 9% increase over last year. Also, expect "peak travel day" surcharges of $20 to $40 EACH WAY. Peak travel days are Nov. 21st and 25th, December 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and Jan. 2nd. Book around those days.

Will this stop us from traveling? Heck no! Travel this holiday season is expected to be up 7% over last year. That adds up to about $773 per person (up from $659 last year).

Best strategy (from Brian Kelly of thepointsguy.com): "Most airlines will let you book or put a fare on hold and cancel by midnight the next day for free," he says. "Put it on hold or book it, and if it goes down the next day, then book the lowest fare. You can keep doing that until the fare goes down." (If it does, that is.)" source

How to not die before a job interview

If you're going to interview for your dream job, and are so nervous you're about to throw up, here are some tips that may help from the friendly folks at Yahoo!

Plan in Advance -- stuff like what you're going to wear, the files you need to bring, the dress code, directions to the office, the time of the interview -- you get the idea. The more you know ahead of time, the less nervous you'll be.

Go prepared: Know the ins and outs of the job you've applied for. Most questions will be focused on what you can do for the company. Be ready.

Don't Worry about the Other Things: Clear your head! Concentrate only on your performance in the interview. This is only possible when you have confidence -- so scrub all other appointments for the day.

Look, Eat, and Talk Well: The first impression is the last impression. Look, speak, and talk like a true pro. Never, ever go hungry!

Ask Questions: Job interview anxiety will continue even after the interview is over, so ask the questions that pop into your head during the interview. You'll feel better after the interview if you're clear about everything -- so ask questions!