New information released by the Education Department this week shows that in nearly every state, the neediest schools aren’t getting the most experienced and qualified educators. As part of the Obama administration’s Excellent Educators for All initiative, the Department of Education published “educator equity profiles” for every state and the District of Columbia. The profiles compare the qualifications of educators who teach in low-income, high-minority schools with those who teach in wealthier areas. The Excellent Educators of All initiative is an effort to ensure that all students have equal access to the best educators, regardless of background. The initiative calls on individual states to develop, by June 2015, plans for reversing the trends that cause inequitable distribution of teachers. The “educator equity profiles” were …

New information released by the Education Department this week shows that in nearly every state, the neediest schools aren’t getting the most experienced and qualified educators.

As part of the Obama administration’s Excellent Educators for All initiative, the Department of Education published “educator equity profiles” for every state and the District of Columbia. The profiles compare the qualifications of educators who teach in low-income, high-minority schools with those who teach in wealthier areas.

The Excellent Educators of All initiative is an effort to ensure that all students have equal access to the best educators, regardless of background. The initiative calls on individual states to develop, by June 2015, plans for reversing the trends that cause inequitable distribution of teachers. The “educator equity profiles” were originally sent to the states for review in November, and are intended to inform states’ plans by helping them understand their current shortcomings.

Below, we have created maps depicting some of the data from the state profiles. The first map looks at where first-year educators are most likely to teach in every state, examining the gap between the percentage of first-year teachers in the richest quartiles of schools and the poorest. The second map examines the presence of highly qualified educators in schools with high and low concentrations of minority students, showing that qualified teachers are less likely to end up in schools with high minority populations.

A highly qualified teacher is defined generally in the profiles as one who is “fully certified or licensed by the State … holds at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution, and … demonstrates competence in each core academic subject area in which the teacher teaches.”

The profiles also provide data on some individual districts, average teacher salaries and teacher absences.

Poor Schools Are More Likely To Have First-Year Teachers
The Gap In Percentages Of New Educators Teaching In Rich And Poor Schools
*Negative numbers indicate instances where poor schools are more likely to have experienced teachers.

High Minority Schools Are More Likely To Have Less Qualified Teachers
The Gap In Percentages Of Highly Qualified Teachers In High Minority And Low Minority Schools
*Negative numbers indicate instances where minority-heavy schools are more likely to have qualified teachers.

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These Are The States Where Poor Students Are Most Likely To Have Inexperienced Teachers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Cosby hasn’t been “America’s dad” for years. For some blacks, he is the cranky uncle complaining about young African Americans who, in his view, dress and behave in a way that drags down their race. The shift in perceptions of Cosby, from revered comedian to more of a public scold, may be costing him support in the black community as he battles decades-old accusations of drugging and sexually assaulting women. Few people outside Cosby’s circle of family and friends are rallying around him. Besides the gravity of the accusations, Cosby’s own words may help explain why. “He’s asking people to pull up …

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Cosby hasn’t been “America’s dad” for years. For some blacks, he is the cranky uncle complaining about young African Americans who, in his view, dress and behave in a way that drags down their race.

The shift in perceptions of Cosby, from revered comedian to more of a public scold, may be costing him support in the black community as he battles decades-old accusations of drugging and sexually assaulting women. Few people outside Cosby’s circle of family and friends are rallying around him. Besides the gravity of the accusations, Cosby’s own words may help explain why.

“He’s asking people to pull up their pants and act right,” said Fredrick Harris, director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University. “People are questioning, ‘Why were you unzipping yours and pulling yours down?'”

More than 15 women have come forward since November claiming to have been drugged, sexually assaulted or both by Cosby, who has never been charged in connection with any of the allegations.

A 2005 lawsuit by a Pennsylvania woman was settled before it went to trial. Earlier this month, prosecutors in California declined to pursue charges against him in the case of Judy Huth, who claimed Cosby molested her 40 years ago. She is one of two women currently suing the entertainer.

Since his iconic sitcom “The Cosby Show” ended in the early 1990s, Cosby has moved away from the benign “Heathcliff Huxtable” father figure to a chastising curmudgeon, scolding African Americans for what he deemed irresponsible behavior.

The most famous of his critiques came in Washington, D.C. a decade ago during a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which declared segregated schools unconstitutional.

Cosby cited a range of behaviors, from speech and attire to single-parent households and dropout rates as high as 50 percent in some cities. “Parenting is not going on,” he said. Lower-income families are not “holding their end in this deal.”

“I’m talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit,” he elaborated. “Where were you when he was 2? Where were you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18, and how come you don’t know he had a pistol? And where is his father, and why don’t you know where he is?”

Cosby’s comments prompted spirited debate. Some commentators backed his call for greater personal responsibility, while others decried the harsh tone he invoked when talking about poorer blacks.

Now, Cosby’s criticism may be causing younger blacks not to defend him, said Tamara Winfrey Harris, author of an upcoming book on black women and marriage. They don’t have the connection and affection with Cosby that older blacks have.

“There are generations of young black kids,” she said, “who didn’t grow up with the Huxtables as the picture of the perfect black family.”

“They don’t see him as being on their side, so they’re not on his,” she said.

That was the attitude of 31-year-old comedian Hannibal Buress, who mentioned the accusations against Cosby during an October show in Philadelphia. That prompted the latest round of accusations from women.

“He gets on TV, ‘Pull your pants up black people, I was on TV in the 80s! I can talk down to you because I had a successful sitcom!'” Buress said. “Yeah, but you rape women, Bill Cosby, so turn the crazy down a couple notches.”

Hundreds of thousands of people later viewed the segment from Buress’ performance in online videos.

Since the allegations emerged, NBC halted work on a Cosby sitcom that was under development. Netflix indefinitely postponed a special that was set to premiere last month. And at least 10 performances in Cosby’s standup comedy tour were canceled.

Cosby’s wife, Camille, stepped forward earlier this month to defend him. She called him kind, generous and a wonderful husband and father. “He is the man you thought you knew,” she said.

Their daughter, Evin Cosby, similarly defended him on social media as “the FATHER you thought you knew.”

Cosby himself tried to rally the black community to his side, saying he expected “our black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism, and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind.”

That prompted Bob Butler, president of the National Association of Black Journalists, to immediately fire back, telling TMZ that, as journalists, “You don’t go easier on a person with color.”

Last week, Cosby’s spokesman David Brokaw issued a statement denying Cosby expected special treatment from black media, expressing dismay with criticism by Georgetown University sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson, author of a book questioning Cosby’s call for black social responsibility.

Some entertainers have defended Cosby. Actress/singer Jill Scott, a fellow Philadelphia native, said on Twitter she needed “substantiated proof when media/society is attempting to destroy a magnificent Legacy.”

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” said, “I hope somebody gets to the bottom of this, but I’m going to reserve my judgments because I have a lot of questions.”

Some people may just not want to see Cosby as a sexual predator.

“A lot of people are loath to believe any of the allegations,” Winfrey Harris said. “He’s not, ‘quote unquote,’ that kind of person.”

____

Follow Jesse J. Holland on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jessejholland

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Bill Cosby’s Sexual Allegations May Cost Him Support In The Black Community

We may have lost Joan Rivers, Jan Hooks and Mrs. Doubtfire, but 2014 was a fine year for women in comedy. Amy Poehler certainly made her mark this year by writing her first book, setting up the end of “Parks and Recreation” and producing the breakout hit, “Broad City.” The female cast of “Saturday Night Live” is stronger and more diverse than ever, Amy Schumer had one hell of a year and Cameron Esposito made one of 2014’s best comedy albums when she wasn’t too busy answering our questions about lesbianism. In case you need a refresher, here are 21 of the most memorable moments brought to you by funny women in 2014, in no particular order: 1. Comedy…

We may have lost Joan Rivers, Jan Hooks and Mrs. Doubtfire, but 2014 was a fine year for women in comedy.

Amy Poehler certainly made her mark this year by writing her first book, setting up the end of “Parks and Recreation” and producing the breakout hit, “Broad City.” The female cast of “Saturday Night Live” is stronger and more diverse than ever, Amy Schumer had one hell of a year and Cameron Esposito made one of 2014’s best comedy albums when she wasn’t too busy answering our questions about lesbianism.

In case you need a refresher, here are 21 of the most memorable moments brought to you by funny women in 2014, in no particular order:

1. Comedy Central turned “Broad City” into a TV show that instantly became our favorite thing.

Via Giphy

2. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted Golden Globes together for the second time, and nailed it.

3. “Saturday Night Live” added Sasheer Zamata and Leslie Jones to the cast, with hilarious results so far.

Via GifTheTV

Via Funny Internet Pictures

4. And the rest of the incredible women on “SNL” gave us our end-of-year anthem for going back home.

5. Basically, Amy Schumer’s entire year: “Inside Amy Schumer” killed it in Season 2, she performed a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall and started making her Judd Apatow-produced movie, “Trainwreck,” just to name a few.

6. “Late Night with Seth Meyers” writer Michelle Wolf showed us what Annie is like now that she’s all grown up.

7. We learned (and laughed) so much because of Cameron Esposito’s “Ask a Lesbian” video series.

8. Jessica Williams became the stand-out correspondent on “The Daily Show” and her Wired cover story made us love her even more.

9. Sarah Silverman paid tribute to the late Joan Rivers by delivering a heavenly roast on “SNL.”

10. Mindy Kaling gave the perfect response to a question about diversity on her show: “I’m a fucking Indian woman who has her own fucking network television show, OK?”

11. Ellen remade the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trailer like only she could.

12. Amy Poehler wrote the memoir/self-help book that we desperately needed to read.

13. We found out that Black Women Run Hollywood.

14. We heard about Tig Notaro’s incredibly brave, topless stand-up set during the New York Comedy Festival.

15. Sarah Silverman sent a powerful message about the wage gap in a funny way.

16. Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant gave us Dyke and Fats.

17. Jenny Slate made an incredibly funny and touching movie about abortion with “Obvious Child.”

18. The “Drunk History” Season 2 finale was all about First Ladies, and it was awesome.

19. Reductress.com launched its unique brand of “Feminized” news satire onto the world and made Cosmo’s sex tips look rational.

20. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Chelsea Peretti released one of the year’s most offbeat stand-up specials on Netflix.

21. And finally, we saw what it would look like if Tina Belcher made Beyonce’s “Partition” music video, combing two of our favorite women into one, synchronized masterpiece.

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The Greatest Moments Of 2014 For Women In Comedy

Emerald Snipes-Garner, the youngest daughter of Eric Garner, visited a memorial site on Monday to honor two NYPD officers who were killed over the weekend. Snipes-Garner, 22, attended a gathering around a candlelit vigil in Brooklyn to offer her condolences and prayers to the families of Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were shot and killed Saturday by 28-year-old gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley. “I just had to come out and let their family know that we stand with them, and I’m going to send my prayers and condolences to all the families who are suffering through this tragedy,” Snipes-Garner told ABC News. The Garner family has been vocal about police brutality in the…

Emerald Snipes-Garner, the youngest daughter of Eric Garner, visited a memorial site on Monday to honor two NYPD officers who were killed over the weekend.

Snipes-Garner, 22, attended a gathering around a candlelit vigil in Brooklyn to offer her condolences and prayers to the families of Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were shot and killed Saturday by 28-year-old gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley.

“I just had to come out and let their family know that we stand with them, and I’m going to send my prayers and condolences to all the families who are suffering through this tragedy,” Snipes-Garner told ABC News.

The Garner family has been vocal about police brutality in the months since the death of Snipes-Garner’s father, Eric Garner of Staten Island, who died July 17 after police put him in a prohibited chokehold during an arrest for selling untaxed cigarettes. Snipes-Garner told reporters Monday that she was “never anti-police.”

“Like I said before, I have family that’s in the NYPD that I’ve grown up around, family reunions and everything,” she told ABC News. “So my family, you know, we’re not anti-police.”

Brinsley had mentioned Garner by name in an Instagram post the day of the shooting, along with Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in August. Brinsley’s words were cited by some as evidence that Saturday’s shootings were intended as revenge for Garner and Brown.

However, Snipes-Garner echoed the words of many on Monday when she dismissed the idea that Brinsley had a political agenda. Rather, she said, Brinsley’s actions were a result of his well-documented mental health issues.

“It didn’t have anything to do with race or anything,” said Snipes-Garner. “It was a mental health crisis and he was dealing with [it] personally and didn’t have the proper way to express his anger.”

Brinsley committed suicide immediately after killing the two officers.

Snipes-Garner reportedly visited Ramos’ family and expressed her support for them. She said she wanted to let the officers’ loved ones know “my family stands with their families.”

“It hit my heart because I know what it feels like, with this upcoming season and you don’t have your father around. I know firsthand what you’re feeling,” Snipes-Garner said, according to the New York Post.

“I just want everyone to know that we have to pray for the mental health of the activists and people,” she went on. “I want to let everyone know that we have to be peaceful. My father wasn’t a violent man. He was very peaceful. There are ways that you can do things without letting tragedies happen.”

Continue reading – 

Eric Garner’s Daughter Visits Memorial Site Of Slain NYPD Officers

The #BlackLivesMatter contingency isn’t pleased that Mayor Bill de Blasio (NY-D.) has requested they suspend their protests. De Blasio asked that protestors pause their demonstrations until the funerals for the two policemen murdered in Brooklyn this past weekend have passed, but the #BlackLiveMatters campaign is set on exercising their first amendment right to protest. They argue that timing is a non-issue and that they still plan to express their voice in the wake of non-indictments for Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. “To protest is a first amendment right,” Darnell Moore, a #BlackLivesMatter activist, told HuffPost Live…

The #BlackLivesMatter contingency isn’t pleased that Mayor Bill de Blasio (NY-D.) has requested they suspend their protests.

De Blasio asked that protestors pause their demonstrations until the funerals for the two policemen murdered in Brooklyn this past weekend have passed, but the #BlackLiveMatters campaign is set on exercising their first amendment right to protest. They argue that timing is a non-issue and that they still plan to express their voice in the wake of non-indictments for Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

“To protest is a first amendment right,” Darnell Moore, a #BlackLivesMatter activist, told HuffPost Live on Tuesday. “Particularly peaceful protest that has an aim — the aim of responding to the types of practices that deaden lives disproportionately of black folk in our country.”

These protests are what is keeping the conversation about the police murders of Garner, Brown and countless others alive in America, Moore explained.

“These actions have produced a lot of conversations across the country, really raised the consciousness of a lot of folk,” he said. “It’s about the transformation of a system — it isn’t about the demonizing of individuals, and I think that’s really important.”

To halt protests would arguably be a way of halting solidarity with the families of the victims, he suggested.

“It is important to just acknowledge the moment that we’re in,” he asserted. “It’s one where we should have deep empathy for the families of the slain.”

Watch the clip above to hear more from #BlackLivesMatter’s Darnell Moore.

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Darnell Moore, #BlackLivesMatter Activist, Speaks Out Against de Blasio’s Call To Pause Protests

By all accounts, 2014 was a difficult year to follow the news. Despite the year’s innumerable divisive stories that often centered around hate and fear, we stood undivided to create progress on major issues including gender rights, racial justice and mental health. But to arrive there, we had to break down some harmful stereotypes first. President Obama Protected Millions Of Undocumented Immigrants After Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama said felt he had no choice but to act alone. The November executive order prioritizes deporting criminals and recent arrivals and will protect an estimated 4.4 million undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. “What I’m describing is accountability – a commonsense, middle ground approach,” Obama said…

By all accounts, 2014 was a difficult year to follow the news.

Despite the year’s innumerable divisive stories that often centered around hate and fear, we stood undivided to create progress on major issues including gender rights, racial justice and mental health. But to arrive there, we had to break down some harmful stereotypes first.

President Obama Protected Millions Of Undocumented Immigrants

After Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama said felt he had no choice but to act alone. The November executive order prioritizes deporting criminals and recent arrivals and will protect an estimated 4.4 million undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. “What I’m describing is accountability – a commonsense, middle ground approach,” Obama said. “If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law.”

Following The Ferguson Shooting, The Nation Realized ‘Everyone Has A Stake In This’

From Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, the country took to the streets to stand in solidarity and say, “Black lives matter.”

After Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in November for shooting unarmed teenager Michael Brown, protesters marched in protests, staged “die-ins” and held rallies to speak out against police brutality and racial injustice nationwide.

As one protester in Oakland, California told HuffPost: “This is a wonder, wonderful protest for a horrible, horrible cause.”

#YesAllWomen And #WhyIStayed Changed The Way We Think About Violence Against Women

Shortly after gunman Elliot Rodger went on a shooting spree targeting women in Isla Vista, California in May, the #YesAllWomen hashtag took off. Women discussed experiences of harassment, assault and a culture of fear. Social media users pointed out: “Not ALL men harass women. But ALL women have, at some point, been harassed by men. Food for thought. #YesAllWomen”

Then in September, after a video was released of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice assaulting his then-fiancée, questions as to why victims stay with their abusers arose. Author Beverly Gooden started a hashtag conversation that exploded, exploring why “just leaving” isn’t so simple. She tweeted: “I had to plan my escape for months before I even had a place to go and money for the bus to get there. #WhyIStayed”

The Transgender Community Made Major Inroads

Transgender advocates continued to make their mark across all sectors of society this year. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 will now be interpreted to also protect transgender government employees from discrimination, Attorney General Eric Holder announced earlier this month. A bill also passed in December will allow transgender New Yorkers to change their birth certificate designation without proof they have had gender confirmation surgery.

Robin Williams’ Death Helped Start A National Conversation About Mental Health

Across the globe, 350 million people live with depression and in the U.S. alone, a person dies by suicide every 12.9 minutes. But it was in the wake of Robin Williams’ death in August, that we were moved to lift the suffocating veil surrounding talk of mental health issues. In HuffPost’s ongoing series, “Stronger Together,” we’ve addressed the stark realities of living with mental illness, consequences of perpetuating dangerous myths and how to effectively talk to a loved one who is living with a mental health issue.

Our Idols Made Gender Equality Go Mainstream

This year, major A-listers unhesitatingly took vocal stands for gender equality and considering that Queen Bey and Tay were involved, it’s definitely a thing that’s here to stay. Beyonce left little to the ideological imagination during her legendary 17-minute number at the MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift opened up about her feminist awakening, and in her role as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson called on men to help women achieve equal rights and opportunities.

We Recognized Dads For All They Do At Home

Gone are the days of dads bragging about never having changed a diaper, and fathers don’t seem to miss that era one bit. HuffPost and Daddy Doin’ Work blogger Doyin Richards showed us what fatherhood is truly like, proving to us this year that dads are just as comfortable slinging swaddles, getting pedicures and snuggling as they are suiting up for corporate America.

The Whole World Fought ALS, A Disease Previously Seen As ‘Unsexy’

When Pete Frates, 29, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, he vowed to get the debilitating disease –- which hadn’t made headlines since Lou Gehrig left baseball –- in front of major philanthropists, including Bill Gates. By August, the billionaire activist joined the growing Ice Bucket craze, which went on to raise more than $100 million. Getting such major names behind the viral campaign was critical for advocates who felt that the disease, which eventually paralyzes the body, was too depressing and hopeless to talk about on a grand scale.

The White House Took On College Rape

One in five women is the victim of sexual assault in college, and the White House isn’t letting that statistic hold steady any longer. In January, the Obama administration established a task force dedicated to the issue and the group released its exhaustive report and recommendations three months later, which advocates heralded. Many were particularly heartened by the calls for greater transparency and for clearer guidelines on filing federal complaints.

And Many Fraternities Spoke Up For What’s Right

A spate of high-profile rape cases on college campuses around the country this year exposed some dark fraternity practices. But instead of just defending their brothers, a number of organizations stood up for survivors. In the fall, eight major fraternal organizations launched a new education effort to prevent and intervene against sexual misconduct, and frat members at Indiana University issued 21 powerful statements pledging to combat sexual assault, which could serve as the blueprint for every college campus.

More People Adopted Shelter Pets

Well, this is certainly uplifting news amid a ruff year. According to a recent PetSmart report, 66 percent of people considering bringing home a new pet say they would adopt instead of going to a breeder or other source. (That’s up from 58 percent in 2011). Adopting helps reduce pet overpopulation, and protests against pet stores that typically support puppy mills, where dogs are often raised in inhumane conditions and not bred for good health.

Americans Did More Giving And Less Shopping

Thanksgiving has always been about stuffing our faces and our shopping carts –- until this year. The number of consumers scooping up deals and the amount of money spent over the four-day holiday dropped year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation. But, Americans willfully opened up their wallets on Giving Tuesday, the daylong charity event that follows Cyber Monday. The campaign raised $45.7 million, a 63 percent increase from last year.

Ebola, A Disease Previously Seen As ‘Remote,’ Changed U.S. Hospitals For The Better

After the controversy surrounding Ebola health workers, it turns out that the U.S. health system may actually be stronger after taking on those few cases. Initially, the U.S. was ill-prepared to care for victims of the disease that has claimed more than 6,000 lives. Now, the country has developed a regional network of hospitals ready to treat Ebola and other rare infectious diseases and keep tabs on future threats.

We Recognized Female Vets Have Specific Needs And Deserve Better Care

More women are serving in the military than ever before, yet an overwhelming number are coming back to homelessness, joblessness and subpar medical services. Aware of the need to meet the new demand, the Department of Veterans Affairs vowed to install a “one-stop” health care model so that women can go to one provider for a range of services. And First Lady Michelle Obama continued to spotlight the specific unemployment crisis women veterans face.

More States Got Rid Rid Of Laws That Discriminate Against Pit Bulls

Fewer states are allowing breed specific legislation, a practice that regulates dogs based on breed and is often directed at pit bulls and dogs that resemble pit bulls. The National Canine Research Council points out that the trend symbolizes greater understanding that dog owners are responsible for controlling and caring for their pets and that regulating based on breed does not reduce dog bite incidences.

Thanks, 2014! Here’s to a year that gave us hope for the next.

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15 Times We Broke Down Stereotypes To Build Progress This Year

Bill O’Reilly is so upset with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio that he interrupted his vacation to call in to his own show Monday night. Following the tragic killings of two NYPD officers this weekend by gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley, O’Reilly “could not stay silent” and joined guest-host Greg Gutfeld by phone to accuse de Blasio of being “incompetent,” a “pinhead” and “anti-police his whole career.” Though O’Reilly made it clear that he was not blaming de Blasio for the actual murders of officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — “no one else has blood on their hands” — he did name the mayor as “the…

Bill O’Reilly is so upset with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio that he interrupted his vacation to call in to his own show Monday night.

Following the tragic killings of two NYPD officers this weekend by gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley, O’Reilly “could not stay silent” and joined guest-host Greg Gutfeld by phone to accuse de Blasio of being “incompetent,” a “pinhead” and “anti-police his whole career.” Though O’Reilly made it clear that he was not blaming de Blasio for the actual murders of officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — “no one else has blood on their hands” — he did name the mayor as “the true villain in the case.”

“This is an individual who should resign today. Today. He cannot run this city, he’s lost the control of the police department and their respect,” O’Reilly said. “They will never come back no matter what he says, because he sided with the protesters. That’s what he did. He associated with provocateurs and he has disgraced the office of mayor of New York City.”

H/T Mediaite

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Bill O’Reilly Blasts ‘Incompetent’ Bill De Blasio, Calls For NYC Mayor’s Resignation

Being home for the holidays is generally awesome — free food, free WiFi and tons of TLC. But being back in your hometown, around your family and old friends when you’re single can present a unique set of challenges. A new video produced by Buzzfeed illustrates how coming home for the holidays sans a significant other can be a cringe-worthy experience. Everyone means well with prying questions like, “Have you tried Tinder? JDate? Christian Mingle?” and encouraging sentiments such as “Honestly, you’re great alone,” but having your lack of relationship status be the focus of conversation can quickly become exhausting. Parental …

Being home for the holidays is generally awesome — free food, free WiFi and tons of TLC. But being back in your hometown, around your family and old friends when you’re single can present a unique set of challenges.

A new video produced by Buzzfeed illustrates how coming home for the holidays sans a significant other can be a cringe-worthy experience. Everyone means well with prying questions like, “Have you tried Tinder? JDate? Christian Mingle?” and encouraging sentiments such as “Honestly, you’re great alone,” but having your lack of relationship status be the focus of conversation can quickly become exhausting.

Parental attempts to solve the issue by setting you up with a weird family friend don’t actually help (but thanks anyway). And, PSA to every couple out there: Even if you have the best of intentions, no one ever wants to third wheel on a romantic holiday evening for two. Ever.

Sometimes you just have to sit back, relax and realize you don’t have to answer to anyone because guess what? Being single is totally awesome.

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This Is What It’s Like To Be Single During The Holidays

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas specials. From “A Christmas Story” to “The Twilight Zone” on New Year’s to “Elf,” movies and marathons have become a special part of the holiday season. The exciting thing for TV fans is that the wide-variety of programming means you’ll have something to watch anytime you want over the next week. And you won’t have to look any further than right here. So without further ado, here are all* the holiday specials and marathons you need to stay glued to the TV screen until 2015: Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24 Image: Giphy “The Santa Claus 2…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas specials. From “A Christmas Story” to “The Twilight Zone” on New Year’s to “Elf,” movies and marathons have become a special part of the holiday season. The exciting thing for TV fans is that the wide-variety of programming means you’ll have something to watch anytime you want over the next week. And you won’t have to look any further than right here. So without further ado, here are all* the holiday specials and marathons you need to stay glued to the TV screen until 2015:

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

Image: Giphy

• “The Santa Claus 2” (12:00 a.m. AMC)
• “Dear Santa” (12:02 a.m. Lifetime)
• “Eve’s Christmas” (2:00 a.m., Hallmark)
• “Home By Christmas” (2:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “The Real Christmas Story” (3:00 a.m. History)
• “Christmas with Holly” (4:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” (5:00 a.m. Hallmark Movies)
• “Never Say Never Again” 007 Christmas Marathon (5:50 a.m. Epix)
• “Full House: A Very Tanner Christmas” (6:00 a.m. TBS)
• “Catch a Christmas Star” (6:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “Scrooge” (6:00 a.m. TCM)
• “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (7:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “Arthur Christmas” (7:30 a.m. ABC Family)
• “The Christmas Spirit” (8:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “Uncle Grandpa Christmas Special” (8:00 a.m. Cartoon Network)
• “History’s Mysteries: In Search of Christmas” (8:00 a.m. History)
• “A Country Christmas Story” (8:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “From Russia with Love” 007 Christmas Marathon (8:05 a.m. Epix)
• “Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale” (9:00 a.m. Cartoon Network)
• “The Nativity Story” (9:30 a.m. AMC)
• “The Christmas Parade” (10:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “Kristin’s Christmas Past” (10:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007” – 007 Christmas Marathon (10:05 a.m. Epix)
• “Night at the Movies: A Merry Christmas!” (11:00 a.m. TCM)
• “The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol” (11:00 a.m. Cartoon Network)
• “Snow” (11:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “The Wishing Tree” (11:00 a.m. Hallmark Movies)
• “Miracle on 34th Street” (11:30 a.m. AMC)



• “Regular Show: Christmas Special” (11:30 a.m. Cartoon Network)
• “A View to a Kill” 007 Christmas Marathon (11:50 a.m. Epix)
• “Eve’s Christmas” (12:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “A Dad for Christmas” (12:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “It Happened on 5th Avenue (12:15 p.m. TCM)
• “Adventure Time: Holly Jolly Secrets” (12:30 p.m. Cartoon Network)
• “Jack Frost” (1:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “White Christmas” (1:45 p.m. AMC)
• “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” Marathon (1:47 p.m. Comedy Central)
• “A Bride for Christmas” (2:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Dear Secret Santa” (2:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “Never Say Never Again” 007 Christmas Marathon (2:05 p.m. Epix)
• “I’ll Be Seeing You” (2:15 p.m. TCM)
• “Anger Management: Charlie and the Christmas Hooker” (2:30 p.m. FX)
• “The Polar Express” (3:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “Two and a Half Men: Santa’s Village of the Damned” (3:00 p.m. FX)
• “The Looney Toons Show: A Christmas Carol” (3:30 p.m. Cartoon Network)
• “A Boyfriend for Christmas” (4:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Love at the Christmas Table” (4:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “The Shop Around the Corner” (4:00 p.m. TCM)
• “Mike & Molly: First Christmas” (4:00 p.m. FX)
• “This Christmas” (4:30 p.m. BET)
• “The Santa Clause 2” (4:30 p.m. AMC)
• “Home Alone” (5:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “Friends: The One With the Holiday Armadillo” (5:00 p.m. TBS)
• “Mike & Molly: Karaoke Christmas” (5:30 p.m. FX)
• “All About Christmas Eve” (6:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (7:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “I Love Lucy Christmas Special” (8:00 p.m. CBS)
• “Christmas with the Kranks” (8:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “It’s a Wonderful Life”(8 p.m. NBC)
• “A Christmas Story” marathon (2-hour blocks from 12/24 8:00 p.m thru 12/25 8:00 p.m. TBS)
• “A Christmas Story 2” (8:00 p.m. CMT)
• “Best Christmas Party Ever” (8:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” (8:00 p.m. The CW)
• “Skyfall” – 007 Christmas Marathon (8:00 p.m. Epix)
• “Elf” (9:00 p.m. ABC Family)

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• “The Cleveland Show: A Cleveland Brown Christmas” (9:00 p.m. Cartoon Network)
• “Merry Madagascar” (9:30 p.m. The CW)
• “A Christmas Story” marathon continues (10:00 p.m. TBS)
• “Christmas in Connecticut” (10:00 p.m. TCM)
• “12 Men of Christmas” (10:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “Northpole” (10:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Live and Let Die” – 007 Christmas Marathon (10:30 p.m. Epix)
• “Swamp Christmas” (11:03 p.m. History)
• “Christmas at the Cathedral” (11:35 p.m. CBS)
• “Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica” (11:35 p.m. NBC)

Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 25


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• “A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas” (12:00 a.m. FXX)
• “Bad Santa” (12:00 a.m. MTV)
• “Christmas at Cartwright’s” (12:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “Scrooged” (12:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “A Christmas Story” marathon continues (12:00 a.m. TBS)
• “A Hollywood Christmas at the Grove” (1:00 a.m. Reelz)
• “Catch a Christmas Star” (2:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “The Loretta Young Show: Sister Anne’s Christmas” (2:30 a.m. MeTV)
• “How I Met Your Mother: How Lily Stole Christmas” (4:00 a.m. FX)
• “Angels and Ornaments” (4:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “Petticoat Junction: Cannonball Christmas” (6:00 a.m. MeTV)
• “The Christmas Parade” (6:00 a.m. Hallmark)
• “A Christmas Story” marathon continues (6:00 a.m. TBS)
• “The Beverly Hillbillies: The Christmas Present” (6:30 a.m. MeTV)
• “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (7:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “You Only Live Twice” – 007 Christmas Marathon (7:15 a.m. Epix)
• “The Little Drummer Boy” (7:30 a.m. ABC Family)
• “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” (8:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey” (8:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “Modern Marvels: The Christmas Tech” (8:00 a.m. History)
• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” (8:30 a.m. ABC Family)
• “For Your Eyes Only” – 007 Christmas Marathon (9:15 a.m. Epix)
• “South Park: Christmas in Canada” (9:44 a.m. Comedy Central)
• “Christmas Angel” (10:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” (10:00 a.m. ABC)
• Elmo’s Christmas Countdown (10:00 a.m. PBS)
• “South Park: Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo” (10:14 a.m. Comedy Central)
• “South Park: Merry Christmas, Charles Manson” (10:44 Comedy Central)
• “A Christmas Carol” (11:00 a.m. TCM)
• “Home Alone” (11:00 a.m. ABC Family)
• “Pawn Stars: A Very Vegas Christmas” (11:00 a.m. History)
• “South Park: A Very Crappy Christmas” (11:15 a.m. Comedy Central)
• “Goldfinger” – 007 Christmas Marathon (11:25 a.m. Epix)
• “Angels Sing” (12:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Holiday Affair” (12:15 p.m. TCM)
• “The Princess Bride” marathon (12/25 1:00 p.m. thru 12/26 2:00 a.m. Sundance)
• “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (1:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “Comedy Central’s All-Star Non-Denominational Christmas Special” (1:16 p.m. Comedy Central)
• “The Nine Lives of Christmas” (1:30 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (2:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “The Road to Christmas” (2:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (3:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “A Cookie Cutter Christmas” (4:30 p.m. Hallmark)
• “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (5:00 p.m. ABC Family)


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• “The Living Daylights” – 007 Christmas Marathon (5:45 p.m. Epix)
• “All She Wants for Christmas” (6:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “Elf” (7:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “Back to Christmas” (7:00 p.m. ION)
• “M*A*S*H: Death Takes A Holiday” (7:30 p.m. MeTV)
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8:00 p.m. ABC)
• “Goldfinger” – 007 Christmas Marathon (8:00 p.m. Epix)
• “Holiday Switch” (8:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “How Murray Saved Christmas” (8:00 p.m. NBC)
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8:30 p.m. ABC)
• “A Perfect Christmas List” (9:00 p.m. ION)
• “Christmas Under Wraps” (9:00 p.m. Hallmark)
• “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (9:00 p.m. NBC)
• “Home Alone” (9:00 p.m. ABC Family)
• “A Christmas Story 2” (10:00 p.m. CMT)
• “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (10:00 p.m. NBC)
• “The Santa Con” (10:00 p.m. Lifetime)
• “A Royal Christmas” (10:30 p.m. Hallmark)

New Years Specials and Marathons (Dec. 31 – Jan. 1)

Specials

• “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” (8:00 p.m. ABC)
• “Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution ’14-Part 1” (8:00 p.m. Fox)
• “A Toast to 2014!” (8:00 p.m. NBC)
• “New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly” (10:00 p.m. NBC)
• “Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution ’14-Part 2” (11:00 p.m. Fox)

Marathons

• “The Walking Dead” (Starting 12/30 9:00 a.m. AMC)
• “Khloe and Kourtney Take the Hamptons” (Starting 12/31 7:00 a.m.)
• “The Twilight Zone” (Starting 12/31 8:00 a.m. Syfy)
• “How I Met Your Mother” (Starting 12/31 9:00 a.m. Lifetime)
• “The Three Stooges” (Starting 12/31 7:00 p.m. IFC)
• “Portlandia” (Starting 1/1 6:00 a.m. IFC)
• “Futurama” (Starting 1/1 9:21 a.m. Comedy Central)
• “Chopped” (Starting 1/1 2:00 p.m. Food Network)

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*The above list is created to provide programming options for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. This is not a comprehensive list of all holiday specials. Some titles have been bolded for emphasis.

Excerpt from: 

Here Are All The Holiday TV Specials And Marathons You Need This Year