It's not always enough to know what's "trending." It kind of helps to know why. Welcome to The Social Climber, where we provide a quick primer on the people, places and things that are being feverishly searched and shared online -- and try to make sense of it all.
1
Jenny McCarthy Twerks Into 'View'
ABC News
Jenny McCarthy made her hotly anticipated debut on "The View" today, and girlfriend really shook things up.
Joining the daytime panel alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters, McCarthy took to the stage amid applause, and the conversation naturally veered toward twerking. When Walters commented on her and America's recent schooling on the classic dance move, McCarthy took it upon herself to twerk it out right on stage, along with Shepherd.
This season should be fun.
2
Found Van Gogh Painting Unveiled in Amsterdam
Peter Dejong/AP Photo
Do you have any musty old paintings sitting around house? You'd better have a closer look, because one might be a Vincent Van Gogh. And it might be worth millions.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced today that a lost painting by the Dutch master was discovered in a Norwegian industrialist's attic. "Sunset at Montmajour," a 1888 landscape from his period in Arles, in southern France, was officially authenticated by experts and unveiled today to an awestruck crowd. Gogh's paintings typically sell for tens of millions.
The Social Climber will be back momentarily after checking her attic.
3
Surprise! Serena Williams Wins US Open Title
Darron Cummings/AP Photo
The unstoppable Serena Williams is now one notch closer to making women's tennis history after she took her fifth U.S. Open title Sunday, defeating Belarusian champion Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1. It may not be a shocker because Williams was the top seed at the slam, but it was a hard-won victory. Williams, 31, now holds one fewer Grand Slam titles than Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all-time list. It seems like it's just a matter of time until she goes down in history as the best.
4
'Big Bang' for The Shat and The Bat?
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
Sheldon, Leonard -- meet The Shat and The Bat. It'll be a fanboy's dream come true if, as hinted at Salt Lake Comic-Con this weekend, William Shatner and Adam West drop by the Pasadena pad of the gang on the hit CBS sitcom "The Big Band Theory."
West, who played Batman for three years in the 1960s, gave the crowd a tepid "maybe" when asked by fans whether he'd guest-star on the show. But Shatner gave 'em what they wanted to hear.
"I promise you, I'm going back to L.A. tomorrow. Monday morning, I'll make a call, OK?" Shatner, who starred as Capt. Kirk on the original "Star Trek" series, told the crowd to cheers.
Someone get him a phone.
5
Scotty McCreery Loves Baseball, and So Can You, Kids
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
Did you know that country crooner and "American Idol" champ Scotty McCreery is a former high school baseball pitcher? Well, The Social Climber didn't, but his passion for the sport is clearly shining through now that he has announced he plans to donate $50,000 to youth baseball programs during a six-city tour of Major League Baseball stadiums. Some of the funds will go to MLB's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) initiative. Go, Scotty!
6
Fan Falls to Death at 49ers-Packers Game
Jeff Chiu/AP Photo
The kickoff of football season turned tragic Sunday when a 49ers' fan fell to his death from an elevated walkway at Candlestick Park while watching the team's season opener, according to San Francisco police. Multiple witnesses said that the man, who fell just after kickoff, appeared intoxicated. First aid was administered when medics arrived at the scene, but the man, who has not been identified, was decaled dead from his injuries.
The same day, a railing collapsed at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, injuring two fans who were in attendance to watch the Colts face the Oakland Raiders.
7
Eminem Goes 'Berzerk' on ESPN
In an appearance on ESPN's "Saturday Night Football" halftime show to promote his new single and video, "Berzerk," rap favorite Eminem left The Social Climber scratching her head. With his mouth hanging open, the rapper and actor looked like he might fall over right in front of hosts Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit, who were attempting to pry him for details on his new record.
"Live TV freaks me out a little bit," he said.
We feel your pain, Em. "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" drops Nov. 5.
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Jenny McCarthy made her hotly anticipated debut on "The View" today, and girlfriend really shook things up.
Joining the daytime panel alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters, McCarthy took to the stage amid applause, and the conversation naturally veered toward twerking. When Walters commented on her and America's recent schooling on the classic dance move, McCarthy took it upon herself to twerk it out right on stage, along with Shepherd.
This season should be fun.
Do you have any musty old paintings sitting around house? You'd better have a closer look, because one might be a Vincent Van Gogh. And it might be worth millions.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced today that a lost painting by the Dutch master was discovered in a Norwegian industrialist's attic. "Sunset at Montmajour," a 1888 landscape from his period in Arles, in southern France, was officially authenticated by experts and unveiled today to an awestruck crowd. Gogh's paintings typically sell for tens of millions.
The Social Climber will be back momentarily after checking her attic.
The unstoppable Serena Williams is now one notch closer to making women's tennis history after she took her fifth U.S. Open title Sunday, defeating Belarusian champion Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1. It may not be a shocker because Williams was the top seed at the slam, but it was a hard-won victory. Williams, 31, now holds one fewer Grand Slam titles than Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all-time list. It seems like it's just a matter of time until she goes down in history as the best.
Sheldon, Leonard -- meet The Shat and The Bat. It'll be a fanboy's dream come true if, as hinted at Salt Lake Comic-Con this weekend, William Shatner and Adam West drop by the Pasadena pad of the gang on the hit CBS sitcom "The Big Band Theory."
West, who played Batman for three years in the 1960s, gave the crowd a tepid "maybe" when asked by fans whether he'd guest-star on the show. But Shatner gave 'em what they wanted to hear.
"I promise you, I'm going back to L.A. tomorrow. Monday morning, I'll make a call, OK?" Shatner, who starred as Capt. Kirk on the original "Star Trek" series, told the crowd to cheers.
Someone get him a phone.
Did you know that country crooner and "American Idol" champ Scotty McCreery is a former high school baseball pitcher? Well, The Social Climber didn't, but his passion for the sport is clearly shining through now that he has announced he plans to donate $50,000 to youth baseball programs during a six-city tour of Major League Baseball stadiums. Some of the funds will go to MLB's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) initiative. Go, Scotty!
The kickoff of football season turned tragic Sunday when a 49ers' fan fell to his death from an elevated walkway at Candlestick Park while watching the team's season opener, according to San Francisco police. Multiple witnesses said that the man, who fell just after kickoff, appeared intoxicated. First aid was administered when medics arrived at the scene, but the man, who has not been identified, was decaled dead from his injuries.
The same day, a railing collapsed at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, injuring two fans who were in attendance to watch the Colts face the Oakland Raiders.
In an appearance on ESPN's "Saturday Night Football" halftime show to promote his new single and video, "Berzerk," rap favorite Eminem left The Social Climber scratching her head. With his mouth hanging open, the rapper and actor looked like he might fall over right in front of hosts Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit, who were attempting to pry him for details on his new record.
"Live TV freaks me out a little bit," he said.
We feel your pain, Em. "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" drops Nov. 5.