the buzz log

Enjoy a quick look at some of the buzziest stories of the day. We've got everything from the deep thoughts of Madonna to an explanation of how David Blaine held his breath for 17 minutes. It's Friday! Congratulations, you made it.

Hold That Thought
This just in: Illusionist David Blaine is one weird cat. The mysterious magician recently made headlines by holding his breath for an astounding 17 minutes on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." For those who don't believe such a thing is possible, Time Magazine has posted an article on how Mr. Blaine did it. Read it, but don't try it at home.

Go, Baby, Go
The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, and casual fans of The Run for the Roses probably have questions about the event. For example, why is it called "The Run for the Roses," anyway? The always-illuminating Mental Floss answers that question and many more with its post dedicated to the sport of kings. Check it out and you'll not only understand what a "furlong" is, you'll also have an idea why mint juleps are so dang popular. That's a win-win, kids.

Celebs Say the Darndest Things ...
Actually, everybody does, but folks tend to perk up and listen when the rich and famous open their mouths. People.com collected the top celebrity quotes from the week and found a mixture of the witty and insane. Jamie Lee Curtis effectively mocked the Miley Cyrus photo scandal, while Tila Tequila claimed to be a fan of quantum physics. Uh ... huh.

Also Buzzing this Fine Friday...
• Mariah Carey has apparently tied the knot with actor Nick Cannon. Will the marriage last longer than "Glitter's" box-office run? Oh wait ... it already has.
• Finally, the award for today's best headline goes to the Dallas Morning News: "Surprise! High gas prices are making people mad" mocks one of the most obvious surveys ever conducted.

Filed under: David Blaine, Daily Recap

What is David Blaine exactly? He doesn't make objects disappear, so he can't be called a "magician." And he's certainly not an "entertainer." Watching a man live inside a plastic box for 44 days isn't entertaining to anyone. Whatever Blaine's job title, his stunts have a way of inspiring searches—especially for his videos and secrets. To wit—Blaine's buzz surged 1,536% following news that he's set out to live underwater.

Blaine, who was once buried alive (on purpose), will now live the life aquatic for a week in a specially made aquarium. How will he eat? Through a tube. How will he go to the bathroom? Hopefully through a different tube. What's the point of the exercise? Aside from being a new way to meet girls, it gives Blaine another way to show off the endurance that he's so proud of.

But the fun doesn't stop there. During the televised two-hour finale, Blaine will attempt to break the record (8 minutes 58 seconds) for holding one's breath underwater. Can Blaine pull it off, or will he float to the surface like a neglected goldfish? We'll catch the last 30 seconds and let you know.

Filed under: David Blaine, Magic