All aboard -- for romance! The year is 1977. It's late September, the weather is warm and inviting, and the conditions are perfect for cruising. Lucky TV audiences are about to be treated to "love, exciting and new," in the form of a madcap romantic sitcom with a nautical twist. "The Love Boat" is set about to set sail and she "promises something for everyone."  Indeed ... That first episode, airing on September 24, perfectly set the tone for the 248 to follow. All the major players were there: the unflappable Captain Stubing; Doc and Gopher, who usually spent more time wooing passengers than actually working; Isaac, the eternally cool bartender; and the constantly pert and perky Julie McCoy, your cruise director. Later, of course, we would meet Vicki, the precocious daughter of Capt. Stubing; Ace, the ship's photographer; and Judy McCoy, Julie's sister and her replacement as cruise director after actress Lauren Tewes was fired for drug use. Scandal and intrigue were always inevitable on board! Toss in a bevy of well-known B-list celebs (not to discount the sporadic and jaw-dropping A-lister), a deliciously catchy theme song, and storylines featuring a ménage a trois of love and romance, soap opera-esque drama, and madcap antics. Throw in the occasional musical number, and you've got an instant classic, with strong sea-legs to boot! Despite an initially lackluster critical reception, the show lasted until 1986 in its original form, with a sequel, a German remake, and a fourth TV movie (the first three were prequels to the initial series) following in later years. It's no wonder, considering "The Love Boat" was the brainchild of television legend Aaron Spelling, whose shows defined television in the '70s, '80s and '90s. Unforgettable classics such as "Starsky and Hutch," "Charlie's Angels," "Magnum P.I.," "Dynasty," "Beverly Hills 90210," and of course, "Fantasy Island" (which was tethered to "The Love Boat" on Saturday nights until 1984) are the epitome of "guilty pleasures." And why not? We all need a dose of frivolity and fluff every now and again. So on this, the anniversary of her maiden voyage, we invite you "to set a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance. Welcome aboard! It's love!" Suggested Sites... CBS.com: The Love Boat - watch complete episodes of "The Love Boat" online. Amazon.com: Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders - the book that started it all. ABC News: The Love Boat, Where Are They Now? - see what the cast is up to these days. Princess Cruises - official site of the actual "Love Boat" cruise line. Love Boat Episode Guide - lists titles and air dates of all episodes of "The Love Boat."

Directory categories: The Love Boat, Love Boat: The Next Wave, Aaron Spelling, Cruises, Television Shows

Archived under: 1970s, 1980s, Anniversaries, Boating, Entertainment, History, Nostalgia, Romance, Sitcoms, TV

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Giacomo Casanova, circa 1750 There have been so many stories and myths and movies surrounding Casanova over the years that it's difficult to tell where the legend ends and the man begins. Whether he really was the "World's Greatest Lover" is up for debate (certainly Casanova did much to propagate such rumors), but there are facts surrounding his life that are difficult to dispute. Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt was born April 2, 1725 in Venice. He studied law and eventually joined the clergy. He even met the Pope, but later fell out of favor with the Church due to -- what else? -- a series of scandalous love affairs. On a tour of Europe, he explored Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and alchemy. Upon his return to Venice, he continued to plague the Catholic Church and was tried and imprisoned by the Inquisition. Casanova then achieved an improbable escape from his jail and left Italy. Casanova lived in France, Belgium, England, and Russia over the years, where he hobnobbed with such figures as Madame de Pompadour, Voltaire, Catherine the Great, and Benjamin Franklin. He worked for the French Foreign Ministry and conducted several spying missions. Casanova attempted a few (unsuccessful) confidence schemes, fought at least one duel, and even worked for the Inquisition. Avoiding both the French Revolution and Napoleon, he became a librarian in Bohemia and wrote his memoirs before dying in 1798. And of course, in between all these adventures, he somehow managed affairs with an international array of women -- and supposedly, with some men, too. So ,while Casanova may be remembered as the heartthrob who slept his way through Europe, his true legacy is really living and surviving some of most tumultuous events in European history. In a hundred years, will Robert Pattinson or the Jonas Brothers be able to say the same thing? Suggested Sites... Casanova Research Page - academic site about focusing on the "great lover's" writings. Casanova on BBC / Masterpiece Theater - 2005 miniseries about the life and legend of Casanova. Casanova: The Book - 2008 biography by Ian Kelly that tells Casanova's true story.

Directory categories: Sexuality, Casanova, the Movie, Venice, The Inquisition, The 18th Century

Archived under: 18th Century, Adventure, Benjamin Franklin, Biographies, Birthdays, Celebrities, Dead Celebrities, Europe, European History, France, Freemasons, History, Italy, Men, Religion, Romance, Sex and Sexuality

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(Photo by Jackie) Contrary to what the greeting card and flower industries would have you believe, February is not just the time for pink hearts, unicorns, and other girlish dreams. This is prime time for cynics, too, and I encourage you to celebrate your angst by throwing the most macabre anti-Valentine's Day party possible. To start, make your party décor dark and tragic; the antidote to the typically sticky-sweet pink "Valentine's Day" themes. Think vampires, Goth, and horror movies, and you get the idea. One holiday that I love to borrow from is Dia de los Muertos: The Day of the Dead. The eerie art of Dia de los Muertos, with its wide-eyed skulls and empty smiles puts a chilly spin on this cheesiest of holidays. Or download some pictures of anatomical hearts, run a stake through them, and use that as your motif. And what's a party without food? Even the most ardent cynic needs sustenance. Depending on how misanthropic you think your guests are, you could prepare some foods that drive love away: garlicky spreads, sardine puffs, or something with heaps of raw onions. If you prefer not to spend the 15th chewing on antacids, you could serve something bloody and intense, like a rare sirloin, and finish the meal with red velvet cake. With a party like this, there's probably enough angst to fuel a night of conversation. But just in case you run out of things to do, you could rent movies where love ends badly, like "Dial M for Murder," "Unfaithful," or "Fatal Attraction." So while Cupid is out for what seems like a permanent cigarette break, check out the Yahoo! Directory for more party-planning ideas. Suggested Sites... Anti-Valentine's Day Movie List - from RottenTomatoes.com, a great list for any time, really. Anti-Valentine's Day Menu Ideas - what to eat when your angst level is sky-high. Bittersweet Candy - "P.S. I LUV ME"

Directory categories: Anti-Valentine's Day Sites, Party Supplies, Dating Services, Valentine's Day Activities and Crafts, Party Games

Archived under: Celebrations, Decorating, Dia de los Muertos, Food and Drink, How-To, In Character, Parties, Relationships, Romance, Valentine´s Day, dating

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Hello, Directory fans! Once more, it’s time to take a look at all the exciting happenings in the Yahoo! Directory -- the world’s favorite source for aggregated and categorized Internet information for more than a tenth of a century. Today, though, we’re changing our focus a little. In past installments of this feature, we’ve focused on the past; that is to say, things we’ve recently added. But, just for a change of pace, we’re going to put on our swami hats and predict the things you’ll be looking at in the future. We may not be Kreskins or Criswells, but we think our crystal ball is pretty accurate. Of immediate interest is next week’s inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. We’re always on the lookout for information about inaugural activities, as wek as what to do in Washington D.C. once the dust has settled, and you’ll find it all here. And, hey, the NFL playoffs are proceeding apace, and you can find everything you want about all the teams, players, and odds. (Personally, we’re rooting for the Steelers, but you can learn about the other teams, too.) With the Super Bowl around the corner, you’ll be wanting to know about the ads -- and what to cook for your parties, won’t you? And it’s almost prom season, isn’t it? Now, our own prom was more than a few years ago, but we know the gals will be trying to find the latest and hottest fashions and hairstyles, won’t they? And fellas, don’t forget, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner -- you’d better have tips on gifts and things to do -- if you know what’s good for you, that is. (And for guys without a Valentine’s date, well, there’s always the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue …) Awards season is in full swing, and with the Oscars, Grammys, and even the Westminster Dog Show -- coming up, you’ll want to have all that information about nominees and winners at your virtual fingers, won’t you? So, come on into the Yahoo! Directory; the info’s fine -- and you’ll be proud to be the most informed surfer on the block. Suggested Sites... Yahoo! Directory: Super Bowl Commercials - from "1984" to the "GoDaddy" girl, they're all here. Yahoo! Directory: Prom and Homecoming - they're getting closer, after all. Yahoo! Directory: Valentine's Day - sweets for the sweet. Yahoo! Directory: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue - we buy it strictly for the articles. Yahoo! Directory: Dog Shows - canines on parade.

Directory categories: Presidential Inaugurations, Barack Obama, Mentalists, National Football League, Super Bowl

Archived under: Advertising, Athletes, Award Shows, Awards, Barack Obama, Celebrations, Dogs, Entertainment, Events, Football, Gambling, Hair, History, Inaugurations, Models, NFL, Paranormal, Parties, Presidents, Prom, Prophecy, Psychics, Recipes, Romance, Safety, Sports, Super Bowl, Swimwear, Valentine´s Day, Yahoo!, Yahoo! Directory

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Ina's book Barefoot in Paris In the increasingly telegenic lineup of Food Network chefs, Ina Garten seems like a strangely likeable earth-mama with a really, really big house in East Hampton, and gardens blooming with fresh flowers and herbs. This month, the Barefoot Contessa (as she's better known, from the name of her former store and current cooking show) is releasing a new book called "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics." In the book, Garten shows readers how to entertain like royalty -- even those of us who don't live in mansions. Garten's food always seems lush, stylish, and delicious, but I have to admit that her love for her husband, Jeffrey Garten, is the one thing that makes me both love the show -- and cringe. Garten unabashedly adores her husband, who seems to go away for business for weeks at a time. That may drive some wives crazy, but Garten seems to always have her Jeffrey in mind during any episode. (Jeffrey's back for the weekend? How about a picnic?) She oohs and aaahs over the food, and when Jeffrey finally comes around to tape the end of the show and enjoy the fruits of her labor, you can see that she truly loves cooking for him. Such displays of affection are a little unnerving for me, but Garten's recipes warm my cold, cold heart. Her famed Coeur a la Crème with raspberry and Grand Marnier sauce is actually very easy to make, and can be prepared ahead of time: You simply pour a mixture of cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla into a heart-shaped mold (what else?), then chill and serve with a raspberry and Grand Marnier sauce. Or, if you're lazy like me, sprinkle a handful of raspberries on top and call it a day. And if, like me, you're allergic to public displays of affection, I think Ina would say that a square-shaped mold is perfectly acceptable. Suggested Sites... Recipes by Ina Garten - fans review more of the Barefoot Contessa's recipes. Barefoot Contessa - Lemon Chicken with Croutons - watch Ina Garten prepare one of my favorite chicken dishes. Entertain with Chow.com - great entertaining tips and stories from Chow.com.

Directory categories: The Barefoot Contessa, Cooking Advice, Aphrodisiac Recipes

Archived under: Celebrities, Cooking, Food and Drink, Recipes, Romance, Society and Culture, TV

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