Janet & Nick's Blog

Social media: It's not just for college kids anymore. Families use Facebook to stay in touch across generations.

The brand-engagement firm GMR Marketing recently polled about 1,000 moms and kids to see how social media has penetrated family life and affected mother and child relationships.

More families have three generations on social media than just one. But there is a certain awkwardness in having so many family members online.

While more than three-quarters of moms said they'd "definitely" accept a friend request from their child, just 43% of kids said they'd do the same. And twice as many kids and moms — 18% to 9% — said they'd have to hide some photos or other information before making things official on Facebook.

Teenagers are also much more shy about broadcasting their family connections via social media. Nearly twice as many moms as kids — 29% to 16% — said they use public messages on networks such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate with family members. Teens prefer to use private messages more than parents do, 39% to 31%.

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Jacob and Sophia were the most popular names for babies born in 2011.

The annual list is peppered with names from the Bible and from pop culture, with an influence from Reality TV.

Jacob topped the list for boys names for the 13th year in a row, but there were a few surprises in the Top 10:

For the first time since 1948, Michael is no longer in the top five and Anthony (a Top 10 favorite in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010) has dropped off the list.

Mason made its Top 10 debut as the second most-popular boys name in 2011 -- and yes, that's the name of Kourtney Kardashian's first-born child.

In the past five years, four different names have held the top girls' spot -- Emily was the number one name from 1996 to 2007, but since then Emma, Isabella, and now Sophia have been the most popular.

The fastest riser on the girls' list is Briella -- possibly thanks to Briella Calafiore, the blonde hairdresser of "Jerseylicious" and "Glam Fairy" fame.

Here are the Top 10:

For boys:
Jacob
Mason
William
Jayden
Noah
Michael
Ethan
Alexander
Aiden
Daniel

For girls:
Sophia
Isabella
Emma
Olivia
Ava
Emily
Abigail
Madison
Mia
Chloe

NBC's 'The Voice' will be the first to try two cycles a season this coming season.

(Fox's "American Idol" and "The X Factor" as well as NBC's "America's Got Talent" air once a year.)

Mentors, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine are committed to do the fall edition, while their participation in the spring one will be based on their availability as all four are active musicians.

THE SPINNING CHAIRS:

The ratings for "The Voice" are higher during the blind auditions featuring the spinning chairs -- and then fall off in the battle rounds.

SO, NBC execs are extending the presence of the show's signature feature.They will "put the spinning chairs into the battle rounds this coming season."

NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt wouldn't elaborate on specifics but noted that the tweaks will make The Voice "even better and more competitive."

Drake's Club Paradise tour got shut down by police at their tour stop in Irvine, California.

Drizzy then went on Twitter and wrote: "Police made me cut the show short but I love you all for rocking with me Irvine."

Before the show, Drake went on Twitter and asked ticketholders to arrive early. The roster included J. Cole, 2 Chainz, French Montana, Waka Flocka Flame and Meek Mill, so Drake warned fans they wouldn't want to miss any of it. But the show ran too long, so police shut it down. Drake had to cut three songs from his set.

Nobody got arrested. Police simply said Drake broke the venue's curfew so they had to shut it down.

Round one on last night's "American Idol" was "California Dreamin'"—songs either about California or by artists from the Golden State—and round two comprised songs that inspired the contestants so much, they wish they had written them.

Phillip Phillips performed a low-key version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"

Hollie Cavanagh sang Journey's "Faithfully." Jennifer Lopez was on the verge of tears.

Joshua Ledet sang Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" other than sing it well—and, duh, that's obviously what did!

Jessica Sanchez performed Etta James' '"Steal Away," a vocal that Randy Jackson called "ridiculous."

The finalists then capped off round one with a couple of duets, first Joshua and Phillip doing L.A.-based Maroon 5's "This Love," a song choice Steven Tyler called "brilliant" and "perfect."

Jessica and Hollie followed up with the Bangles' eternally "Eternal Flame." It was "a little strange" for Randy.

Next up, the judges raved about Phillip's cover of Damien Rice's "Volcanoes".

Hollie sang Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me", but J.Lo told her, "A little too much vibrato, too much shaking". Randy thought the overall song choice was wrong.

Joshua took on James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." The judges loved it.

Jessica closed the show with the big-voice favorite "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

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Justin Bieber dropped a hint as to what his next single might be.

He said: "My next single… I think it's 'As Long As You Love Me,' but I'm not sure."

He also hinted he could debut another song as soon as this weekend.

Justin said: "I wrote a song for my mom. I don't know if it's going to go on the album but I think I'm going to put it out on Mother's Day. Just the struggles she went through and how brave she was and I think the world needs to know that."

He also talked about another track that will address the claims that he fathered a child with a fan.

He said: "The baby situation where they said I had her baby, totally not true by the way, I wrote a song about that. It's my kinda 'Billie Jean.'"

Justin also admitted he had a blast collaborating with Kanye West.

He said: "Just being in the studio with him, he's so creative. He's really smart. He wants to do records that people wouldn't necessarily think that I would do."

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"American Idol" producers came up with one round of music from the 1960s and another round of British pop for the final 5.

Hollie Cavanagh kicked off the show with "River Deep, Mountain High". The judges said they loved it.

Phillip Phillips sang the Box Tops' "The Letter," switching up the melody in the process.

Jennifer Lopez admitted to not knowing the original, so she had a little trouble critiquing. Steven Tyler said that he missed the original melody.

Skylar Laine took on Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son." The judges raved about how "ready" she is for the big time.

Phillip joined Joshua Ledet on "You've Lost That Loving Feeling". J.Lo reminded them never to be afraid to sing a duet together.

Joshua also performed "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."

Jessica Sanchez sang "Proud Mary," and Steven Tyler remarked, "The only thing that gives experience a run for its money is a 16-year-old."

As for the "Brit pop," Hollie picked Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love."

Phillip chose the Zombies' "Time of the Season," with a few awkward high notes.

Jessica, Skylar and Hollie peformed Jackie Wilson's "Higher" for their group performance.

Skylar also sang Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me".

Jessica turned in a flawless "You Are So Beautiful to Me".

And to close the show, Joshua performed Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody".

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Want to avoid losing friends on Facebook?

A new study shed some light on how to make sure you keep your friend list healthy:

Respond to posts: If someone posts on your wall, reciprocate. The study found this to be the single most important factor in a successful Facebook friendship.

Cool it with the photos: Don't post embarrassing pictures of friends—and think twice before you post anything on a friend's wall about the crazy weekend you all had, since you never know who might see it ... and judge.

Wish acquaintances a happy birthday: The researchers found that people consider it more important that their casual acquaintances send Facebook birthday wishes than their close friends. That's because close friends can always call, text, or say it in person instead.

Don't get too familiar: If you're simply acquaintances with someone, don't try to use Facebook to chat with them or post on their wall (except on their birthday, of course), because that could be considered creepy.

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Last night on "The Voice", the remaining two members from each team gave it their all tonight during the semifinals.

Team Adam

Tony Lucca performed "How Do You Like Me Now" by The Heavy, which was "great" according to Blake Shelton.

Katrina Parker sang "Killing Me Softly With his Song," working off the Fugees rendition of the Roberta Flack hit; Blake Shelton commented on her tone and seasoned sound. Meanwhile, Christina Aguilera praised Parker and added that she wished she was Katrina's coach for this song.

Team Blake

Erin Willett gave a soulful rendition of Usher's "Without You." Afterward, the tears flowed as she thought of her deceased father. Blake Shelton told her that he wished he had a tenth of the talent she had, but even more, wished he had her strength.

Jermaine Paul sang Journey's "Open Arms," and earned praise from all four coaches.

Team Christina

Chris Mann gave an operatic performance of "Ave Maria." Cee Lo Green thought it was a "stellar" performance, while Adam Levine found it classic, simple and beautiful.

Lindsey Pavao gave a creative take to Bon Iver's "Skinny Love." Blake Shelton mentioned that it was a "refreshing" performance and Cee Lo pointed out that her voice has a "shy, innocent quality".

Team Cee Lo

Jamar Rogers put his own original spin on Harold Melvin's "If You Don't Know Me By Now". Adam Levine stated he is "purely a fan of what you do," and Blake Shelton appreciated the laid-back performance.

Juliet Simms delivered a gritty, rock rendition of James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," that got the energy up in the crowd and a standing ovation from her coach. Cee Lo told her, "You murdered it".

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