Looks like the bleak holiday TV hiatus was worth it. Not only all our favorite shows returning next week, but they’re bringing a few new ones that are sure to have you saying “is this real? Seriously, CollegeCandy is this a real show?!” And I’ll tell you what. We don’t know. Youtube so kindly sent us this trailer today for the upcoming web series, Prison Dancer, and we can’t tell if this is a real show or a joke. And to be honest we’re not going to do any research beyond their somewhat legitimate Facebook page to  find out the truth because it has everything I want in a TV show: an emphasis on orange fashion, prison drama and choreographed dancing set against an unlikely background.

Just look at the description from their Facebook page:

Prison Dancer is the story of 6 Filipino prisoners whose lives are forever changed by the dancing rehabilitation program that became a worldwide viral sensation on Youtube. Using surveillance footage, interviews with inmates inside the prison, and good old fashioned investigative journalism, pop culture journalist Matt Wells uncovers the personal, poignant, hilarious and universal stories of 6 prison dancers whose group dancing turned a maximum security jailhouse into a world stage.

Behind the prison walls, we meet inmates Ruperto Poblador aka LOLA (who along with his gay minions OO OO and NANA, choreographs the first prison dance routines), HOOKAPS, (the prison hustler), SHAKESPEARE (the prison’s resident poet) and CHRISTIAN, (the prison’s newest inmate) and discovers a tale of life, death, dreams, fears and ultimately, redemption.

So, will you watch Prison Dancer this year?

Spandex. Estimates suggest that it is found in 80% of the clothing sold in America. Which means that almost every single American owns at least one piece of clothing that has at some amount of Spandex in it. And apparently, some people think that it’s making us fat.

The stretchy fabric emerged in 1959, and was first used in underwear and workout gear. It rose to popularity during disco mania in the 1970s, and from then on began to be used in more and more clothing. Spandex is unique because it can stretch up to twice its original size, and then snap back into shape. And it’s in everything – check the tags on your clothes and you are sure to find at least some amount of Spandex in the majority of them.

A recent NPR story, part of a series about obesity in America, traces the history of Spandex. The story completely assumes that the rise in popularity of spandex is due to the rise of obesity in America, and repeatedly suggests that spandex may be some kind of an enabler. Back in the 1960s, “fabrics were rigid and people were thin,” but Americans now are looking for clothes to accommodate their expanding waistlines. People who are overweight are able to find clothes that fit them (gasp!), so they are encouraged to remain overweight instead of dieting out of shame.

Margaret Hartmann of Jezebel took issue with the NPR piece, pointing out some of its particularly nasty parts. First of all, the women who are interviewed for the article are all identified by their dress sizes. And Brett Godwin, a size four who is shopping at Bloomingdale’s, has a thing or two to say about fat people and Spandex:

“I think that spandex is made to accommodate people who are overweight. I’ve seen some terrible sights. They are overweight, and they would put on the tightest spandex things they can find, and they just look absolutely awful.”

Martha Paschal, who is described as a “youthful-looking 50-year-old financial consultant,” talks about finding Spandex clothes that help camouflage her “muffin top.” In case you didn’t know, NPR tells us that a muffin top consists of “extra rolls of waistline flab.” Nice. Even though she feels good in her Spandex pencil skirt, Paschal says that she thinks Spandex is “dishonest” because “it lets you get away with wearing things that you probably shouldn’t just because it expands to fit.”

What’s wrong with this picture? Hartmann points it out exactly:

“Paschal’s comments are just sad because it’s clear that she’s just echoing back an awful societal message: That you’re only allowed to look attractive and feel good about yourself if you’re thin. If you find a flattering outfit in a plus-size, it doesn’t mean you look great, you’ve just created the illusion of a beautiful body through trickery.”

Paschal’s observations also make it pretty obvious to me that Spandex isn’t an enabler at all. People are very aware of their size. We’re constantly bombarded with images of stick thin models and commercials for magic, fix-it-all diet pills. We get the message that we should be thinner. Just because people of all sizes are able to buy clothes that fit them doesn’t mean that they’re being encouraged to get fat.

What do you think? Is Spandex really making Americans fat?

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

I don’t know about you but I cannot physically take my hungover-self anywhere but from the bed to the couch and maybe to the toilet. Like the rest of the world, last night I partied way too hard to bring in the New Year (definitely a level I will not reach again until 2013) and now my poor body hates me.

I’m armed with Advil, my favorite blanket, all my pillows, a big glass of water and, if I scream loud enough, I’m sure someone will bring me toast. Between alternating TV time with computer time, I’m lost in thought thinking about all the beautiful, comfy locations I’d rather be.

Get ready to cry your eyes out with both joy and [hangover] pain at all the places I would accept as my Hangover Paradise. If only I could stand up long enough without wanting to puke so I could get there…

When I was little, I couldn’t wait to get older. I imagined myself as a very cool teenager driving a car. I would go to college and continue to be thoroughly awesome. After that, I would graduate, get a kickin’ job, and buy a house. Or something.

As I got older, however, the reality of the future hit me. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Even driving a car is dangerous! From giving birth to the apocalypse, let’s just all agree that the future is absolutely terrifying.

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Forget the cupcake, 2011 was the year of the cake ball. The little tiny ball packed with cake and frosting and covered in chocolate. It was like heaven came to earth and decided to rest in my mouth. Seriously they’re that good. And now, you can make them at home. We came across this awesome recipe on our Pinterest (hint hint: follow us) and wanted to share it.

Need some motivation? Check out all these amazing cake balls, just be sure to wipe the drool off your face before you start cooking.

Want more super yummy recipes and tips in cool photo form? Check out Acorn Advisors today!

Over the past year, I’ve shared over 50 lessons that I’ve learned in my single life to remind you that being single is more than a table for one (even when you’re eating a meal portioned for two), or going dateless to you’re cousin’s wedding — it’s a way of life.

Here are my top 10 favorite rules to live by while you’re single:

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Whether you’ve read this column from the very beginning, about a year ago, or you just discovered it today, I hope that if you take away only one thing from it — that being single is all about empowerment. Take the negative stigma of being a single girl and turn it into a positive influence in your life that you can carry with you even when you’re in a relationship. Being single is your time. It’s all yours to do whatever you want with it — to make mistakes, to run as far as your mind pushes you to, to try things you never even knew existed, to laugh about it all and to truly live your own life. I’ve learned through this column that fulfillment starts with you, and being single is the perfect time to navigate what’s going to make you happy so that if you do meet someone later, you don’t end up relying on them for all of the happiness in your life. Above all, empower yourself to be yourself.

I’ve loved writing this column and reading the comments from girls who are going through the same issues as me, or as I have in the past. Before I retire the series, I want to say thank you for reading and connecting and I hope that you’ve laughed as much as you’ve learned.

If you close your eyes and picture Lady Gaga’s boyfriend, what comes to your mind? A centaur? A headless ghost? The entire cast of Ru Paul’s drag show? Well your mind is wrong because vacation photos are out and he looks like a real live human man.

Not only is he a real live human being, but you actually might know him. He’s a c-list actor on a popular CW show. Getting curious? More curious than what goes through Lady Gaga’s mind before she gets dressed?! Well click here to see her famous man!

This weekend, I almost skipped the birthday party I was throwing for myself. Why? I just happened to adopt a kitten that morning. Before you congratulate me on being an amazing person and giving a homeless cat a good home, know that I already have a one-year-old cat I got free from Craigslist last October.

I’m a 21-year-old college student who should be living in an apartment with my besties and taking tequila shots instead of studying for exams. Instead, I’m a 21-year-old college student who lives alone (take note, killers) with my two cats who both enjoy shot-sized portions of tuna fish.

But who cares? Who cares that sometimes my apartment smells like cat litter and makes me want to puke? Who cares that I have mild cat allergies and probably shouldn’t have TWO cats to aggravate those allergies? It’s all worth it because cats are SO cute and cuddly.

Plus, a lot of cool celebrities have cats. Being a cat lover isn’t just for old, single women who have never been satisfied in their relationships because men as companions don’t compare to cats as companions. Katy Perry has THREE cats, she’s married, and the whole world thinks she’s hot.

So, I’m going to own my cat lady status. So what if I spend more money on flea medicine than I do on alcohol. Take a look at these pictures of cute kittens and tell me I’m crazy.

I think by now we’re all familiar with American Apparel for their wacky clothing or, at the very least, their 3/4 naked models and ads that tiptoe on porn. Their ads are usually making headlines for being disgusting, but this company keeps the hipsters clothed. And that’s a good thing even if the outfits are heinous. Sure, you can find a gem or two in American Apparel like a cool t-shirt or a leather envelope clutch. And they always have v-necks at the ready. But, for the most part, it’s shiny nylon and mesh unitards. They also have a lot of socks. Oh, and the best is that half of their clothes are unisex so you can totally share with your boyfriend if he decides to still date you after purchasing anything.

American Apparel often has us scratching our heads, but recently we’ve found some stuff worthy of WTF Friday for you to enjoy…

“Oops she did it again,” Britney Spears skyrockets to the top gaining more than 1 million users following her on Google+, making her account the social network’s first to break the seven-figure record. Even though Google+ is only six months old, Spears’ die-hard fans did not waste any time on the new site, which allows them to keep up with the latest happenings on Spears’ life. She now has the title of “the most followed person” on Google+, outnumbering Google’s own CEO, Larry Page.

She graced the entertainment industry with her beautiful voice back in 1999 when she came out with her hit album Baby One More Time. She quickly became every young girl’s idol, including mine. Her first two albums became international hits, crediting Spears as a “pop icon” breaking all records. Her prominent stance in pop culture and music soon became a roller-coaster ride for her. From her number one hit songs and her countless awards to her drug addiction and court battles, Spears has maintained a fan base that will never leave her side. Throughouther tumultuous journey, Spears still remains on top.

Is Spears our generation’s Madonna? No matter how many times she fails she’s still loved by millions. Her highly publicized life has been in the limelight since the very beginning. She has proven to all that no matter how much fame, money and influence you have in the world, not everyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. Her mistakes have just been publicized for the whole world to see. Yet she always redeems herself. No matter how low she gets, Spears seems to bounce right back.

Her international fan base proves she has touched the lives of millions…someway, somehow. Her music will always be remembered. Just as Madonna left her mark on her generation, Spears is leaving hers on ours. The unconditional love Spears has from millions proves her legacy will always live on. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide, she has been credited as the eighth top-selling female artist in the United States, she is recognized as the best-selling female artist of the 21st century and the fifth overall. She is not only our generation’s Madonna, but also an icon, to say the least.

Let’s just admit it, the love for this legendary pop artist will never die. It’s official, she is no longer a girl, she IS a woman.

Want a reminder on why we love her? Just check out this gallery!