Morning Meme: Anderson Cooper Counts Down, Michael Musto Reviews, and a Naughty Physics Lesson from Brian Cox

Prince Phillip has been released from the hospital after undergoing a balloon procedure to remove a heart blockage. I do understand his wife is the queen, but watching from afar, it seemed so strange when he went to the hospital alone, then the Queen visited him. I'm sure it would be the same with any head-of-state, but from a human level, it seemed odd.

I really had no idea where the concept of "proof" for alcohol came from. I certainly never understood that it involved gunpowder.

I'm going to agree with Queerty: TLA Video trying to sell gay videos by wondering "What Would Jerry Sandusky Watch?" is completely reprehensible. Children were allegedly raped, and they want to sell DVDs about incest, or gay films with "boy" in the title?

Newt Gingrich has published a plan to establish a presidential commission if elected to oppose any attempt to enforce the separation of church and state. He also vowed to fight any attempt to protect GLBT youth from bullying if it was based in religious beliefs.

Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world's sixth largest economy.

Guess what? For the first time in years, the music industry was up a bit in sales, thanks largely to Adele's album and Lady Gaga's tour.

I remain fascinated by the upcoming movie ParaNorman. In an attempt to set the stage for the film's world, a "newspaper" has been published about the town's history, which includes the 300th anniversary of a curse laid on the town for a witchcraft trial.

Michael Heath, Ron Paul's Iowa state director, is on the board of the certified anti-gay hate group Americans for the Truth About Homosexuality.

I was pretty bummed when it was announced that The Avengers was being converted to 3D after-the-fact. But Joss Whedon swears that it "isn't obnoxiously 3D." In Joss we trust?

We're all doing the best we can.

The Scissor Sisters have been busy making a new album, and plan on previewing the first track on January 2nd between 10am-1pm London time on BBC One. And yes, you can listen online.

Our hearts go out to Carol Channing, who lost her husband, Harry Kullijian at the age of 92.

I deal with the public about 20 hours each day, either at the day job or on AfterElton.com. And customer service matters (within reason). This is how not to treat your customers in a rather spectacular fashion. Also: Don't piss off geeks, they will find out your deepest secrets and make you pay.

Michael Musto has posted his year-end review, and as always, it's sassy and filled with costume changes. You don't want to miss it.

Gawker devoted significant effort into explaining why Cars was so wrong to make the windshield the eyes for the cars instead of the headlights. I get their point, though I'm fine with that. I just wish they hadn't done Cars 2.

Let the speculation begin about this blind item: This C List actor from a cable thriller recently got a tattoo in a very private area of his body. What did he get? A Lady Gaga tattoo.

This preview for the new season of Merlin has a delightful view of the arch of Arthur's back, which is oddly, one of my favorite features on a guy.