Hot Searches for January 6, 2009:
1. Kawasaki Syndrome -- Jett Travolta suffered from this illness
2. IRS -- Bills Detroit lawyer over 9-cents
3. 'The Bachelor' – Jason looks for love after being rejected by 'The Bachelorette'
4. Fiesta Bowl – Texas Longhorns defeat Ohio State Buckeyes
5. Scientology – Travolta family's religion takes alternative outlook on death
6. Leon Panetta -- Chosen as CIA Chief
7. John Travolta – Autopsy said to show son died of seizure, not head injury
8. Megan Hauserman – Dissed Ozzy and unleashed the wrath of Sharon Osbourne
9. 'Today Show' -- Ann Coulter bumped from show. Was her book too controversial?
10. Al Franken – Minnesota recount shows he is likely to win US Senate seat

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So much happened this weekend with so little time to discuss it all. Here is a recap of this weekend's hottest stories.

This weekend, Hollywood bid farewell to a veteran theater, film and television actor. Pat Hingle, best known for his role as Commissioner James Gordon in the first four 'Batman' movies, died Saturday at the age of 84.

Hollywood couple John Travolta and Kelly Preston suffered the loss of their son Jett this weekend. The 16-year-old's body was discovered Friday morning in his room at the Old Bahama Bay resort in the Bahamas. Reports say the teenager, who suffered from Kawasaki disease, struck his head on the bathtub after suffering a seizure.

Sam Shepard is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, a playwright, a movie star and now a criminal (allegedly). This weekend's biggest trouble maker was busted in Illinois on charges of speeding and drunken driving, with a blood-alcohol level that was double the legal limit.

In the world of politics, President-elect Barack Obama arrived in Washington, DC last night with his family. While his daughters begin their first day at a new school, Obama is working on an economic stimulus package that aims to create 3 million new jobs. The president-elect will also have to fill an unexpected opening in his cabinet after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson declined his nomination for commerce secretary due to the pressure of a federal 'pay-to-play' investigation.

You can't talk about the weekend without mentioning the football games. After the latest football scores of wild card weekend, the Eagles, Chargers, Ravens and Cardinals will advance to the next round of the playoffs. Which of these wild-card winners do you think has the best chance of making it to the Super Bowl? To see who your favorite team is playing, check out the playoff schedule.

What other big news and gossip happened this weekend? Let us know! Come back for tomorrow's Hot Searches on AOL Search.

Hot Searches for January 5, 2009:
1. eBay -- Madoff victims auction off memorabilia
2. NFL -- See who is on their way to the Super Bowl
3. Unemployment -- Obama considering major expansion in aid
4. Kelly Preston -- And husband John Travolta 'heartbroken' by loss of son
5. Weight Watchers – Diet plan can help you lose weight in 2009
6. Pat Hingle -- Actor in 'Batman' films dies at 84
7. Sam Shepard -- Actor and playwright arrested for DUI
8. 'Desperate Housewives' -- Returns to Wisteria Lane after show hiatus
9. Bill Richardson -- Withdraws from consideration for commerce secretary
10. Netflix -- Teams up with LG for new TV that instantly streams movies

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I had never been much of a coffee drinker until my trip to Hawaii last year. While I was there I discovered the delicious and rich flavors of Kona coffee, only available from the Hawaiian Islands. Since then, just the smell of fresh coffee beans or coffee brew makes my mouth water.

Coffee drinkers are a dedicated bunch. They set their automatic Cuisinart coffee maker to brew their morning coffee the same way they set their alarm to wake them up in the morning. Or they stop at their favorite coffee franchise, like Starbucks, every morning on their way to work.

I don't need too much caffeine in the morning, so I like to stick with my one cup coffee maker. Though I like my Keurig coffee maker, I thought it would be nice to try some other types of coffee. I decided to get some suggestions by looking at what kinds of coffee people are searching for on AOL Search.

For a special treat, I am excited to try some of the gourmet coffee that showed up on the top searched list. Number seven, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, has regional exclusivity like Kona coffee and a deliciously unique flavor. Gevalia Coffee carries a wide variety of gourmet flavors and roasts, including seasonal flavors. I was also interested in getting some green coffee beans and roasting my own coffee. What could be fresher?

If I need a cup of joe on the go, drive thru coffee, like Dunkin Donuts, is the fastest and I can get some breakfast. Green Mountain Coffee, number one on the list, is also great with food and is served at a lot of restaurants because they sell wholesale coffees.

There are so many choices. What is your favorite type of coffee? Leave a comment and let us know! Find out about more types of coffee on AOL Search and locate a coffee shop near you with AOL Yellow Pages.

Top Searched Coffee on AOL Search:
1. Green Mountain Coffee
2. Starbucks Coffee
3. Caribou Coffee
4. Gevalia Coffee
5. Peet's Coffee
6. Dunkin Donuts Coffee
7. Blue Mountain Coffee
8. Maxwell House Coffee
9. Folgers Coffee
10. Senseo Coffee

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Doing laundry isn't the funnest of chores, but it can be one of the most simple with a good washing machine and dryer. Check out our list of the top searched washers for some of our users' favorites.

A washer is an investment, so make sure you chose one that meets all your needs and will withstand the test of time. While some washers have lots of bells and whistles, like a touch screen, they don't necessarily make it any better. However, other extras like a hand-wash cycle and extra detergent or bleach dispensers can make your life a lot easier.

While browsing, also consider whether you want a front-loading or top-loading washer. Front-loading washers are considered to be more gentle on your clothing and use less water and energy. Top-loading washers are known to be less noisy and hold more clothing per wash cycle.

Along with finding a washer with a good warranty, choose one with structural integrity. Look for washers with a plastic or stainless steel drum so that it won't rust.

Before heading out to the appliance store, measure the space you plan to put your washer and dryer. If you have limited space, consider a space-saving washer dryer combo, like number 8 on our list.

What kind of washer do you use? Let us know! Search for more washing machines on AOL Search.

Top Searched Washing Machines on AOL Search:
1. Maytag Neptune
2. Whirlpool Duet
3. Whirlpool Cabrio
4. Kenmore Elite
5. GE Profile
6. Maytag Atlantis
7. LG Steam Washer
8. Whirlpool Thin Twin
9. Maytag Bravos
10. LG Tromm

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Hot Searches From January 2, 2009:
1. Moviefone -- Find movie times for this weekend
2. Dick Clark -- Rocks New Year's Eve at 79 years old
3. Rose Bowl -- USC beats Penn State
4. Rose Parade -- Celebrates the new year with 120th annual parade
5. Weight Watchers -- Resolving to lose weight this year?
6. Wii -- To launch Wii TV?
7. 'Biggest Loser' -- Contestant couple Amy and Marty Wolff expecting a baby
8. Jesse McCartney -- Rocks in the new year with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest
9. Bowl Games -- Looking forward to this weekend's games?
10. Orange Bowl -- Virginia Tech defeats Cincinnati

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When I was little, I wanted to be an "animal doctor," or veterinary assistant. I am glad to have my current job instead, because when I see the crazy pets people have these days, I don't know if I could have handled being a vet.

My friend, for example, just got a lap leopard. Have you ever heard of them? I hadn't. They are a mix between a house cat and a type of leopard and they can grow to be the size of some dogs. She had to order it from India and have it sent to her through international pet shipping. It is really unique, but it is also really expensive and has no pet health insurance. It got sick last month and she had to shell out over $5,000 to nurse it back to health. What ever happened to wanting a tabby cat?

Her unusual choice of pet got me wondering what other exotic animals people are keeping as pets. Looking at this list of top searched bizarre pets, I am curious where people get these sorts of pets. Websites like PetFinder and TerrificPets have some unusual pets, but none this bizarre.

The number one searched bizarre pet, a Sugar Glider, is native to Australia. How can they live in your living room? Number two, might be in your closet as a fashion item. PETA keeps a close watch on Chinchilla safety because they are popular for their soft fur. Their cousin, Degus, are also very fuzzy, all the way down to their furry paws.

Hedgehogs are the opposite of soft and fuzzy. Just like the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, they are covered with little spines, like a porcupine. They aren't known to run fast like him though.

Snakes are becoming more popular as pets, but owning a Kingsnake still seems a bit too exotic for my taste in pets. I do hear they are easy to care for though. Other strange reptiles on the list include the Axolotl, which looks like a fish with legs.

Do you own any of the pets on our list or another bizarre pet? Let us know! Find more information about these bizarre pets on AOL Search.

Top Searched Bizarre Pets on AOL Search:
1. Sugar Glider
2. Chinchilla
3. Wallaroo
4. Bearded Dragon
5. Chameleon
6. Hedgehog
7. Kingsnake
8. Alpaca
9. Degu
10. Axolotl

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With the New Year here, many of my friends are talking about one thing: losing weight. As we started talking about all the different diet plans out there, one friend asked, "Why diet, when you can just pop a diet pill?" Is it really that easy? Being completely naive about diet pills and diet supplements, I decided to pull a list of the top searched diet pills to find out what all the hype was about.

I can see why Alli made it to the top of the list. According to their customer testimonials, this pill, along with diet and exercise, can increase weight loss up to 50 percent. However, Alli is known to have some nasty side effects as well. According to their website, you will pass something "that looks like the oil on top of a pizza" out your body. Are the benefits worth the costs? Find out more at AOL Body.

Did you know phentermine received FDA approval back in 1959? It's still the top searched diet pill today. It's strange to think people have been using phentermine for so long.

I have to say, I'm a little skeptical of all these miracle pills and I wonder if they really lead to healthy weight loss. There are so many diet pills that out there that I question how safe they really are. Some of these diet pills I have actually heard of like Hoodia and Hydroxycut. But what exactly are Meridia and Lipovox?


Dieting is hard! Quick diets don't help you lose weight long term and exercise regimens are hard to stick to. Maybe diet pills really are the best way how to lose weight effectively.

Yes, popping a diet pill does sound much easier than counting your calories or exercising, but do they really work? Have you tried any of these diet pills? And if so, what worked for you? Try searching for diet pills on AOL Search. Or, if diet pills aren't your thing, you can check out AOL Body for weight loss tips.

Top Searched Diet Pills on AOL Search:
1. Alli
2. Phentermine
3. Hoodia
4. Hydroxycut
5. Slimquick
6. Meridia
7. Xenical
8. Relacore
9. Lipovox
10. Metabolife

Hot Searches from December 31, 2008:
1. Danny Philbin -- Regis accused of refusing to help out son
2. Roland Burris -- To replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate
3. Lark Previn -- Mia Farrow's 35-year-old daughter dies
4. Kennedy Center Honors -- Streisand, Freeman, Townsend and others honored
5. Auld Lang Syne -- Do you know the lyrics? Practice for tonight's celebration
6. George Jones -- Texas singer honored by Kennedy Center
7. Mike Shanahan -- Broncos fire coach. Will he get picked up by another team?
8. Lee Anthony -- Caylee Anthony's uncle now facing charges in murder case
9. Miley Cyrus -- Surprises lucky fan with a concert in their bedroom
10. Egypt -- Offers humanitarian aid but won't open Gaza border

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It is time to slip on a cute dress for your New Year's Eve celebration, but are you feeling like you enjoyed the holiday treats a little too much? With all the cookies, chocolate and eggnog, it is easy to put on a few pounds near the end of the year but difficult to lose them again. Before you stress out about fitting in to your favorite cocktail dress, you can trim inches off your waist and hips with a body shaper.

Shapewear is the best way to appear slimmer when you don't have enough time to diet before a big event. Body hugging lingerie creates a streamline figure, smooths out bumps and sucks in your trouble spots. They also mask any unwanted lines from your bra or underwear that may show through thin, delicate fabric. That means no more muffin tops and no panty lines.

We aren't talking about your grandma's girdles or corsets. No petticoat punishment here! The new generation of shapewear is breathable and flexible while still camouflaging those unwanted bulges. Check out our list of the top searched shapewear and get the figure you want.

How do you dress slimmer? Let us know! Search for more shapewear on AOL Search and AOL Shopping.

Top Searched Shapewear on AOL Search:
1. Spanx
2. Kymaro New Body Shaper
3. Yummie Tummie
4. Flexees
5. Ardyss BodyMagic
6. CoCoon Shapewear
7. Rago Shapewear
8. Dr. Rey's Shapewear
9. Playtex Shapewear
10. Bliss Shapewear

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Hot Searches from December 30, 2008:
1. Melissa Berry -- Lingerie football player sues ex over nude photos
2. Stock market -- 2008 marks a year of record losses
3. Freddie Hubbard -- Jazz trumpeter dies at 70
4. Cruise ship disappearance -- Woman falls overboard or may have jumped
5. FAFSA -- Boost your financial aid by beating the deadline
6. Jennifer Lopez -- Plans to announce divorce on Valentine's Day?
7. Cleveland Browns -- Fire head coach Romeo Crennel
8. 'Deal or No Deal' -- Barber makes deal for $383k
9. Hamas -- Israel considers truce in Gaza assault if Hamas halts rocket fire
10. Bristol Palin -- Gives birth to baby boy Tripp

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Have you ever had a health problem that you were too embarrassed to talk about? You are not alone. It is hard to bring up serious health concerns, especially the ones that make you blush just thinking about them. Some things are meant to be kept private, but that doesn't mean you can ignore your health issues. We are bringing these types of problems out in the open with our list of the top searched embarrassing health concerns.

Though it can be intimidating to bring up your secret health problems to a relative stranger, your doctor should be the first person you turn to when facing an illness, no matter how embarrassed you are. Remember: they see tons of patients and probably have seen your same problem many times before. No matter how ashamed you are, it is important for the health of you and others to get symptoms of contagious illnesses, such as herpes symptoms, examined before it is spread to others. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, one out of five adults have been infected with genital herpes and there is no known herpes cure. It's not surprising then that it is number one on our list.

If you are still too embarrassed to see a doctor, look into over the counter medications. Some conditions can be treated with OTC medicine, but that doesn't always cure the problem and you might still have to see your doctor. Yeast Infections, number three on our list, has many different OTC treatments and cures.

You can treat other problems, such as hyperhidrosis, which is just a fancy word for excessive sweating, with more unconventional methods. If you have tried extra-strength antiperspirants, such as Drysol, and you are still having a problem, you may benefit from plastic surgery. Injections of Botox are used to disable the sweat glands in areas like your underarms.

Not all of the problems on the list are easily treated. If you are avoiding serious surgery for things such as incontinence, lifestyle changes may help make a difference. Try looking into adult incontinence supplies, such as adult diapers.

Do you have the courage to talk about your health problems? Leave us a comment. Search your health problem on AOL Search or AOL Health.

Top Searched Embarrassing Health Concerns on AOL Search:
1. Herpes
2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
3. Yeast Infection
4. Psoriasis
5. Urinary Tract Infection
6. Genital Warts
7. Hemorrhoids
8. Impotence
9. Hyperhidrosis
10. Incontinence

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So much happened this weekend with so little time to discuss it all. Here is a recap of this weekend's hottest stories.

Fans of the self-proclaimed 'sex kitten' Eartha Kitt remember the versatile singer, dancer and actress after her death on Christmas Day. The 81-year-old rose from modest roots in the cotton fields to become a symbol of sensuality with her famous catlike purr. From dancing cabaret to playing Catwoman in the Batman TV series, Kitt never stopped working, even up until she passed away from colon cancer on Thursday.

You can't talk about the weekend without mentioning the football games. After the latest football scores, only the best of the best made the cut and will be playing in the playoffs. To see who your favorite team is playing, check out the playoff schedule. Though the Lions aren't on their way to the Super Bowl, they are getting a lot of attention for a different reason. After losing to the Packers, Detroit became the first team in history to hold a 0-16 record. Promptly following their losses, the Lions, Jets and Browns all fired their head coaches.

You may recognize Jaimee Foxworth for her role on 'Family Matters' as Judy Winslow or you may remember her from adult films where she was known as Crave. After she traded Urkel for porn stars, the child star sought help for her marijuana addiction on 'Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew' and is now expecting her first child.

Former Tennessee GOP leader Chip Saltsman gave the gift of music this year for Christmas. Saltsman distributed a CD to RNC members with many parody songs, including ones about Al Gore and Barack Obama. While some got a jolly chuckle, others like GOP chairman Mike Duncan are 'shocked and appalled' at songs like 'Barack the Magic Negro.' Did we mention this jokester wants to head up the RNC next?

What other big news and gossip happened this weekend? Let us know! Come back for tomorrow's Hot Searches on AOL Search.

Hot Searches from December 29, 2008:
1. NFL -- The regular season is over, let the playoffs begin!
2. Jaimee Foxworth – 'Family Matters' child star goes from adult films to new mommy
3. Betty White -- Competes on 'Million Dollar Password'
4. UFC -- 'Rampage' Jackson and Rashad Evans win in UFC 92
5. Barack Obama -- GOP receives racist song about President-elect as X-mas gift
6. 'Sound of Music' -- The von Trapp family tells their story
7. Danny Villa -- Former Patriots player arrested on rape charges
8. Jennifer Aniston -- Admits nude GQ cover was photoshopped
9. Weight Watchers -- Jump start your New Year's resolution
10. Eartha Kitt -- Singer, actress and dancer dies at age 81

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A few months ago I decided to cancel my gym membership. Since I barely went to the gym, I figured I could take the $70 a month that I was spending and invest it in home fitness equipment instead. Then I would have access to a 24-hour fitness center right in my own basement.

At first I found it a little overwhelming to complete my exercise routine without the help of the personal trainers I used to consult with at the gym. However, as I collected more of my own home fitness equipment I realized it is as easy to work out at home as it is to use the fitness equipment available at the gym.

Working out at home allows me to fit in exercise whenever it's convenient. I can pedal on my stationary bike while reading a book or climb on the stepper while watching TV. If my workout starts feeling a bit stale, I like to spice it up with fitness training DVDs, like pilates. Now I don't have any excuses for missing a daily workout and I am losing weight.

Do you know of any good fitness equipment that did not show up on the list? If so, please tell us about it. Check out more from AOL Shopping or search for fitness equipment on AOL Search.

Top Searched Fitness Equipment on AOL Search:
1. Treadmills
2. Elliptical Machine
3. Tread Climber
4. Dumbbells
5. Rowing Machines
6. Stair Climbers
7. Weight Benches
8. Fitness Balls
9. Exercise Machines
10. Bosu Ball

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I've been thinking about taking a vacation for a few weeks now and I've finally narrowed my choices down to a resort on a tropical island. Now I need to figure out the destination and which type of resort to stay at.

I decided to find out which types of resorts are most popular among our users. All-inclusive resorts made the most searched list, but I have mixed feelings about them. The upside is that you don't have to worry about a thing. All your drinks, meals, activities and entertainment are included in your stay. The downside is that you tend to spend all of your time at the resort instead of exploring your surroundings. So if you like to venture out while staying at a resort, an all-inclusive one might not be for you.

I was really surprised to see nudist resorts so high on our list. Other resorts that are popular are luxury resorts, couples resorts and family resorts. An exclusive resort or a 5-star beach resort would be absolutely sublime, especially if I could get a luxury villa right on the beach.

Resorts make vacationing so easy because they usually have restaurants, shops, spas and anything else you need right on site. Once I make myself at home in my resort's vacation villa I know I will be tempted to ask for an extended stay. I'll have to fight the urge to get too comfy or else my new home might be a Bali resort, Bahamas resort, Caribbean resort or wherever I choose to stay.

Do you know of any types of resorts that did not show up on the list? If so, please tell us about them. To check out more resorts, go to AOL Travel. Also search for resort destinations on AOL Search.

Top Searched Resorts on AOL Search:
1. Luxury resorts
2. All-inclusive resorts
3. Nudist resorts
4. Ski resorts
5. Exclusive resorts
6. Beach resorts
7. Family resorts
8. Couples resorts
9. Gay resorts
10. 5-star beach resorts

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