It doesn’t take Nielsen figures to guess that TV viewership increases when snowstorms hit areas of the country that aren’t used to it, but it’s nice that they confirm it. Pat McDonough, Nielsen’s senior vice president for insight and analysis, tells the Associated Press that the Jan. 10-13 storm, which blanketed a large section of the country including areas of the South, had a bigger impact on TV ratings than any other in recent history. Total viewership was up 8 percent compared to the same days in 2010. With schools closed, it’s no surprise the ages 2 to 11 and teenager demos saw big jumps — 18 percent and 15 percent, respectively.
As much of the country is buried again now, let’s share our best snowstorm viewing stories: Was there a show you got hooked on during a snowstorm? Was there a show you can’t believe you actually watched during a snowstorm? Have you done something insane during a snowstorm because you were desperate for at-home entertainment? READ FULL STORY »
Every singer who auditions on 
Being Elmo, a documentary about puppeteer Kevin Clash, premiered at Sundance this week. This video of Clash, Elmo, and a pregnant fan sums up the enduring wonder of Muppets in general, and the specific joyous charms of Elmo in particular: Even though you can see Clash putting the Elmo puppet on, it still really feels like Elmo is a sentient — and deeply loving — being. Is it dusty in here? There’s… something in my eye… 
To the older gentlemen (and his ladyfriend) rocking the hell out with a full-on dance routine to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”: thank you for being the Internet’s Most Awesome Human today. The next time things are going poorly, or I’m feeling sour about this cosmic speck of dust we call home, or another unbearably filthy slush puddle forms in front of my apartment, I’m going to think of the joy and freedom this delightful fellow exhibited, and it’s going to put a little pep in my step. Don’t you wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don’t you wanna, etc: 
I’m not sure why the Internet is rampant with kids reenacting stuff. Oh, wait. Because it’s adorable! From 
