But, the British singer received devastating news last year. A benign polyp on her vocal chord required her to stop singing and come to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for surgery.

“We have generally tried to advance the state-of-the-art of voice surgery over the last 15 years, developing instruments, laser technologies, and the ability to do things that simply weren’t done even 10 years ago, with very famous case of Julie Andrews,” Dr. Steven Zeitels, director of the Center for Laryngeal Surgery, said.

Andrews, one of the most beloved stars of all time, lost her singing voice after a botched surgery with another doctor. She’s now had four procedures with Dr. Zeitels and works with him on a voice restoration foundation.

Singers like Steven Tyler, Roger Daltry, Lionel Ritchie, and Cher have also come to Mass. General to see Dr. Zeitels.

“They’re helping us get the word out, and that is what has been most gratifying recently with Adele’s case, is the majority of the people who are seeking our help are sick, they have real serious issues going on,” explained Dr. Zeitels.

Non-singing patients are now getting treated for cancer, badly blocked airways, or damage from a less skilled surgeon.

Singers like Adele, however, face physical risks just from performing.

“There is a saying that the show must go on,” said Zeitels. “Just because they have some sniffles, which might have a big impact on swelling in vocal chords, they will proceed with the performance.”

The Berklee College of Music in the Back Bay has helped launch the careers of singers like Melissa Etheridge, John Mayer, and Diana Krall. Today, part of their focus is to make sure vocal students protect their gift.

Professor Cathryn Wright goes through vocal exercises with students to develop their voices the right way, and appreciate vocal limitations.

“Popular music has change over the years,” explained Wright. “In some singer’s styles, there’s a lot more grind and grittiness in the sound and that can produce tension that eventually debilitates the chords.”

That is something any young singer with a big dream wants to avoid.

Check: Coverage from Mix 104.1 | Coverage From CBSLA

“We didn’t even know she was coming. It was quite a surprise and an honor,” said Henrietta Gerald of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.

Gerald remembers the time when Houston sang at the church for the funeral of her ex-husband Bobby Brown’s mother.

WBZ-TV’s Paul Burton reports.

“Whitney sang ‘Precious Lord Take My Hand.’ It was inspiring, awe-inspiring. It was wonderful to see her,” said Gerald.

Some of Bobby Brown’s family members often attended Twelfth Baptist Church.

Folks who attended the funeral said hearing Houston perform in person is something they will never forget.

“The entire crowd stood to its feet. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church when she finished,” Gerald.

Gerald said now that Houston is gone, it sure brings back a lot of memories.

Read: Bobby Brown “Deeply Saddened” By Whitney’s Death

“And unfortunately it was a short life, but one that certainly touched this whole community,” said Gerald.

Folks at the church said they were speechless when they first heard of Houston’s death. They couldn’t believe it was true.

Now that it’s sinking in, they said they were so fortunate and blessed to be able to hear her sing even though it was for a very sad occasion.

What was your favorite Whitney Houston song? What’s your lasting memory of her? Comment below!

Check: Coverage from Mix 104.1 | Coverage From CBSLA

Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of Houston and Bobby Brown, had been staying at the Beverly Hilton, the same hotel where her mother was found dead Saturday night. Her father released a statement Sunday about the death.

Beverly Hills police told affiliate KCBS that Bobbi Kristina was transported to the hospital at 10:30 a.m. PST.

A Beverly Hills Police Dept. watch commander said the 18-year-old was treated for anxiety at the scene, according to CBS News.

She was later released from the hospital and is expected to be OK.

Check: Coverage from Mix 104.1 | Coverage From CBSLA

“I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi- Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time,” said Bobby Brown.

Houston was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room before 7 p.m. EST. She was 48 years old.

She was staying on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton in L.A. and was due to appear that night at Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy’s party.

“There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent,” Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen said.

Brown and Houston got married in 1992, and had one child (Bobbi-Kristina) in 1993. Their tumultuous marriage finally ended in 2007.

Houston abused drugs for years, but the official cause of her death is not known.

Check: Coverage from Mix 104.1 | Coverage From CBSLA

Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen from the mid 80′s to the late 90′s, is remembered by many Bostonians as one of the greatest singers of all time. She was only 48.

“She was a great artist, and it’s so sad to hear she passed away. This is very sad,” said one man.

“I am really, really sad. I loved Whitney Houston,” said a woman.

“That’s bad, that’s a hit to the music industry, you know. She was an amazing singer,” said another man.

WBZ-TV’s Paul Burton reports:

Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown, who is from Roxbury, performed with his band, New Edition, in Mississippi Saturday night. TMZ reported that Brown pointed to the sky and said “I Love You” at the beginning of the show in tribute to Houston.

New Edition released a statement soon after Houston’s death:

“We are absolutely shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely death of our dear sister Whitney. As a group, we are extremely close; when one of us hurts, we all hurt,” the statement read. “As much as we are in pain right now, we will continue to draw strength from God, as we support and comfort our brother Bobby, their daughter Bobbi-Christina and Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Brown-Houston family today and always.”

At Mix 104.1 on Saturday night, DJ Alicia Love played all Whitney songs on the radio.

“Oh, it’s tragic. She was one of the most influential artists of our time. She won six Grammy awards, 30 Billboard music awards, 22 American music awards. She was the first female to debut at No. 1. It’s just incredibly sad,” said Love.

Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions. She went on to sell more than 200 million albums worldwide during her career.

“I can remember dancing in my basement to Whitney Houston,” said Love.

Her success carried her beyond music to the silver screen, where she starred in hits like ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and ‘The Bodyguard,’ where she performed her most memorable hit and stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You.’”

“‘I Will Always Love You.’ That’s what I think of when I think of Whitney Houston,” said one woman.

Houston also wowed the world with her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the 1991 Super Bowl.

1991 we performed the Super Bowl XXV half time show; which also included a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Whitney Houston—
  (@NKOTB) February 12, 2012

Bostonians all agreed that Houston truly had it all: the talent, the voice and the looks. She was truly a legend who will be greatly missed.

Local group New Kids On The Block shared similar sentiments on Twitter.

Whitney Houston, you will be missed but never forgotten. #RIPWhitney—
  (@NKOTB) February 12, 2012

What was your favorite Whitney Houston song? What’s your lasting memory of her? Comment below!

She is up for six Grammy awards, in this, her first appearance since throat surgery right here in Boston.

The doctor who performed that surgery, Dr. Steven Zeitels, stopped by the WBZ Water Cooler, to talk about the surgery.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Rod Fritz reports:

Here’s the full interview, with WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Drew Moholland:

You can hear the WBZ Water Cooler on Saturday at 10:25 AM and 2:25 PM, and Sunday at 2:25 PM.

Check: Coverage from Mix 104.1 | Coverage From CBSLA

Instead, what transpired was yet another troubling display of erratic behavior from the superstar, and a foreshadowing perhaps of what was to come.

Though she looked spectacular, her once-stunning voice sounded frayed and hoarse. She didn’t seem to follow the rehearsed plan and looked out of sorts at times. Even when Davis, her longtime mentor and producer, announced that the show was over, Houston appeared to try to get back on the microphone, only to be stopped by Davis with the joke: “I found you when you were 19; I’m still your boss!”

On Saturday, Houston was once again the focus of Davis’ annual party, but her presence was a posthumous one. Pop music’s former queen, until her majestic voice was ravaged by drug use and her regal image was tarnished by erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died on the eve of the Grammy Awards she once reigned over. She was 48.

Houston was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen said. “There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent,” he said.

The cause of death was unknown, said Houston’s publicist, Kristen Foster.

Houston’s death came on the night before music’s biggest showcase, the Grammys. She will be remembered Sunday in a tribute by Jennifer Hudson, organizers said. Houston had been at rehearsals for the show Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath.

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful and peerless vocals rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.

She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.

Davis, went ahead with his annual concert Saturday at the same hotel where her body was found. He dedicated the evening to her and asked for a moment of silence. Houston was supposed to appear at the gala, held downstairs in the hotel where her body lay for most of Saturday night.

Aretha Franklin, her godmother, said she was stunned.

“I just can’t talk about it now,” Franklin said in a short statement. “It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen.”

Houston seemed to be born into greatness. In addition to being Franklin’s goddaughter, she was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick.

She first started singing at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., as a child. At the church on Sunday morning, a couple of sympathy cards were tied to a fence post. “To the greatest songstress ever,” one said, and tied next to it was a small bouquet of fresh flowers.

The pastor asked for strength for Houston’s family, said churchgoer Shawn Cooper, 32, of Newark. He said he hadn’t regularly attended church but felt compelled to go on this Sunday.

“The Houston family means a lot to this community, they have done a lot for this community, and being there for them is the best thing we can do as a community,” he said.

In her teens, Houston sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

“The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club … it was such a stunning impact,” Davis told “Good Morning America.”

“To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine,” he added.

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. “Saving All My Love for You” brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. “How Will I Know,” ”You Give Good Love” and “The Greatest Love of All” also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, “Whitney,” came out in 1987 and included hits like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the “Soul Train Awards” in 1989.

“Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?” she told Katie Couric in 1996. “You’re not black enough for them. I don’t know. You’re not R&B enough. You’re very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them.”

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to respond to those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image and already had children of his own. (The couple had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, born in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges including DUI and failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

“When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,” she told Rolling Stone in 1993. “You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image. It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.”

Brown was getting ready to perform at a New Edition reunion tour in Southaven, Miss., as news spread about Houston’s death. The group went ahead with its performance, though Brown appeared overcome with emotion when his voice cracked at the beginning of a ballad and he left the stage.

Before his departure, he told the sell-out crowd: “First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you, Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”

Brown said he decided to perform because fans had shown their loyalty to the group for more than 25 years. During an intermission, one of Houston’s early hits, “You Give Good Love,” played over the speakers. Fans stood up and began singing along.

It would take several years for the public to see the “down and dirty” side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America’s sweetheart.

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with “The Bodyguard.” Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy’s record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the “Bodyguard” soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, “My Love Is Your Love,” in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.”

But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2009, she said by the time “The Preacher’s Wife” was released, “(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. … I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. … I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2009. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day. Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown’s reality show, “Being Bobby Brown,” was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared “crack is whack,” was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album “I Look To You.” The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on “Good Morning America” went awry as Houston’s voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

Houston was to make her return to film in the remake of the classic movie “Sparkle.” Filming on the movie, which stars former “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, recently wrapped. Houston was one of the producers, and it tells the story of a family of singers ravaged by drug abuse — a story Houston knew all too well.

___

Associated Press writers Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles, Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tenn., and Bruce Shipkowski in Newark, N.J., contributed to this report.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Maryanne Rigor appeared on the show Thursday night for Military Spouses week.

She took home $14,000. That was good enough for second, but the real prize came after the final round. Her husband who had been overseas came out from backstage.

The Rigor family held a watch party at their home in Manchester. Family and friends erupted at Major Rigor’s surprise.

It turns out, no one knew about the grand entrance until they saw it on WBZ.

Watch Video Of The Surprise

Now the show’s producers are looking for new talent in Boston. From “Goodwill Hunting” to “The Town” and “The Departed,” Hollywood has been fascinated with the gritty stories of working-class Boston neighborhoods for some time.

But now there’s a push on to add South Boston to the trashy world of reality TV, and some of the locals are pushing back.

WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller Is At Large

The producers were inspired, perhaps, by an online parody exploiting some of the more insulting Southie stereotypes.

In a press release, the producers of “Southie Pride” claim they’ll be offering an insider’s look at “Beantown’s beating heart.” Already, you know there’s a problem. But they really tip their hand when they promise to spotlight, “The most in your face subculture on the Eastern Seaboard”.

Maureen Dahill, a Southie native who helps run a popular neighborhood blog, says the producers of Jersey Shore have been running into brick walls in their effort to cast their Southie reality show.

Do people suspect they’re looking for lowlifes? “Yes, right away, it’s a red flag, people suspect they’re looking for a Southie Snooki, and nobody wants to be portrayed that way,” says Dahill.

Every town has its clowns, of course. But Dahill notes that gentrification and generational changes have mostly turned the coarse Southie images into an outdated joke.

We all have our teeth,” says Dahill. “Girls go to college now, they have careers, they have children later in life as opposed to earlier in life, so yeah, things have changed completely.”

So are the producers going to find what they are looking for? Dahill doesn’t think so. “They’re really struggling, I know that,” she says.

Although crews from “Southie Pride” were filming exteriors in South Boston last weekend, Dahill says the casting process is not going well, and some local businesses have refused to cooperate with the production.

Maybe they should make a show about the resistance, then the title “Southie Pride” might be a good fit.

Perhaps one of the most interesting commercial was a Chrysler ad, that ran for two minutes. The commercial featured Clint Eastwood, who essentially gave a speech about the re-birth of the auto maker and Detroit.

“It’s halftime in America, reminded us it’s mourning in America from the Reagan days. I was well into that ad before I realized it was going to be one of these Detroit ads like we saw last year,” said Bob Thompson, Professor of Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University.

Listen to Bob’s interview:

“That was two minutes long it wasn’t a commercial, it was a lecture. When the logos for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge come up at the very end of it, they are actually very small. If you were not watching on a big screen TV, it’s possible you might not even see them,” Thompson continued.

OTHER COMMERCIALS

“The Budlight “Here We Go” dog fetching beer is ranking number 3 on the USA Today ad meter. That idea of a dog getting you a beer, although this one gets a lot of them, goes back many years. Seems like to this day, dogs and babies carry the day,” said Thompson.

“In the end, do we score these for what we thought was most fun or do we score them for what we thought was actually going to sell products? Who could not laugh at a baby that gets sling-shotted over to a bully to steal his Doritos. I think that scoring right now is number 1 on the USA Today ad meter,” said Thompson.

WBZ-TV’s Ken MacLeod reports

Tom Brady’s supermodel wife watched helplessly as Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker dropped a wide-open chance to seal the deal on another Lombardi Trophy for New England.

Instead, Eli Manning and the Giants stormed back to win Super Bowl XLVI, 21-17.

Gisele’s frustration was on full display Sunday night after Brady’s desperate Hail Mary pass fell short to end the game in Indianapolis.

“Eli rules!” exclaimed a fan after the game as Bundchen left her luxury suite at Lucas Oil Stadium. “Eli owns your husband!”

“You (have) to catch the ball when you’re supposed to catch the ball,” she snapped back. “My husband cannot (bleeping) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can’t believe they dropped the ball so many times.”

The exchange was caught on video and obtained by TheInsider.com.

Gisele later consoled Brady with a postgame embrace in full view of reporters and photographers.

It may have been a super night for the power couple, if not for key fourth-quarter drops by Welker, Deion Branch and Aaron Hernandez.

“It comes to the biggest moment of my life, and (I) don’t come up with it,” said Welker. “Most critical situation, and I let the team down.”

Was Gisele right to rip the Patriots receivers?

Share your opinions in the comment section below.

The gesture, accompanied by a barely disguised expletive, came during a performance of Madonna’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin.’” At the end of her lines, M.I.A. appeared to sing “I don’t give a (expletive),” although it was hard to hear clearly.

The incident was reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” eight years ago — a surprise risque moment in front of tens of millions of unsuspecting viewers. The brief exposure of Jackson’s nipple during the 2004 halftime show raised a storm of controversy and put CBS in hot water with the Federal Communications Commission.

The Super Bowl, shown on NBC this year, is routinely viewed by more than 100 million people, the biggest TV event of the year.

“We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during halftime,” NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. “It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late.”

The screen briefly went blurred after M.I.A.’s gesture in what was a late attempt — by less than a second — to cut out the camera shot.

The NFL, which produces the show, blamed a failure in NBC’s delay system for allowing the gesture to be seen. Spokesman Brian McCarthy said M.I.A. did not do anything similar during rehearsals and the league had no reason to believe she would pull something like that during the actual show.

“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” McCarthy said.

The British singer M.I.A. is best known for her 2007 hit “Paper Planes,” a Grammy nominee for record of the year that memorably features a sample of the Clash song, “Straight to Hell.” It was featured on the soundtrack to the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Madonna had admittedly been nervous about her performance, hoping to position herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars with an opulent show and a sharp performance that mixed her new release with more familiar songs. She seemed like Roman royalty when muscle-bound men carried her extravagant throne across the football field to the stage for her opening song, “Vogue.”

Guests Cee Lo, Nicki Minaj and dance rockers LMFAO also appeared with Madonna. The singing and dancing on “Vogue” was smartly choreographed, as Madonna moved more deliberately — she is 53 — but still adroitly. She briefly appeared to stumble at one point while trying to make a step on the stage set, but recovered in time.

She let a tightrope walker make the more acrobatic moves during a performance of “Music.”

Madonna carried gold pompons for a performance of her new single. Twitter was alight with questions about the vocals being lip synched or augmented by tapes, particularly during this song.

The best guest was clearly Cee Lo, who joined Madonna for the final song, “Like a Prayer.” They were joined by a robed chorus in the show’s most soaring performance. With a puff of white smoke, Madonna disappeared down a trap door in the stage, and lights on the field spelled out “World Peace.”

The performance was also carried live on SiriusXM Radio, giving Madonna the biggest single audience of her career. For all the elaborate choreography and flashy effects, the finger incident is the more likely headline from the event.

Earlier, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert offered some pregame patriotism. Shelton and Lambert did a twangy duet on “America the Beautiful” and Clarkson, in a simple black dress, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” without a hitch after last year’s performer, Christina Aguilera, flubbed a line.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

He got the traditional pudding pot Friday evening after a roast by the nation’s oldest undergraduate drama troupe.

Segel plays Marshall Eriksen on the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother.” He co-wrote and starred in last year’s “The Muppets.” And Friday he sang a version of “Rainbow Connection” written by the troupe.

Segel got his start in the short-lived but critically acclaimed television series “Freaks and Geeks.” He later wrote and starred in the 2008 movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” which earned more than $100 million worldwide.

Hasty Pudding honored actress Claire Danes as its Woman of the Year.

Last year’s Man of the Year was Jay Leno.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

They’re gearing up for a very busy Super Bowl Sunday at Easy Pie in Braintree a sleek new pizzeria offering upscale slices.

They’re offering two cheese pizzas and a large order of wings for $25.

Watch the Phantom Gourmet

For some super-sweets, North End Treats in Framingham is selling a big game platter stacked with enough Italian pastries to fill a stadium, for $30.

AJ’s Kitchen in Wilmington offers take-out specials big enough to feed an offensive line. They’ll be serving two extra-large two foot long calzones, or a tray of 40 home-style meatballs $40.

Sparky’s in Haverhill is selling 60 wings for $50.

And the Chocolate Truffle in Reading in Winchester is offering a free order of chocolate wings with the purchase of a chocolate pizza!

Sunday, the biggest day in football meets the biggest day in food. So watch the Phantom Gourmet pregame marathon from 10:30 until 6 on MyTV38.

If you’re interested in changing up your menu this year and going beyond nachos and chicken wings, Paula Ebben got a great idea from the folks at Wilson Farm’s Kitchen.

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

Turkey Chili

2 lbs. ground turkey

2 – 15 oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 – 26 oz. boxes chopped tomatoes

2 medium red onions, chopped

2 green peppers, diced

2 yellow peppers, diced

2 Tbs. garlic, minced

1 Tbs. chili powder

¾ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. ground coriander

½ tsp. dried oregano

1 Tbs. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

3 Tbs. olive oil

scallions, chopped

Directions:

In a large shallow pot (a Dutch oven) heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add dry spices, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add turkey and cook until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Add beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Add peppers and cook another 8 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with scallions.

Enjoy.

Street after street bear team colors, with entertainment, games and much more to give fans the big game experience.

The NFL Village is a great way to be a part of the Super Bowl celebration, even if you don’t set foot inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

One of the most popular attractions is the zip line.

Patriots fans were few and far between on Thursday, but everyone was having a good time enjoying the sights and sounds.

WBZ-TV’s Jonathan Elias reports from the NFL Village

WBZ-TV’s David Wade spoke to fans in Indianapolis

Fans at the NFL Experience

BBQ Pork Flatbread

(Makes 6 + leftovers)

One 4-5lb. pork shoulder

¼ cup chili powder

6 flatbread

your favorite BBQ sauce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup scallions, chopped

1 cup good beer

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

Coat pork with the chili powder. Pour beer into a crockpot and add pork. Set for 10 hours and let pork cook. When done, remove pork and let cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350º

Discard bones, and fat from cooked pork shoulder. Shred pork, place in a bowl, and coat with your favorite BBQ sauce. Once coated, place a single layer of pork on the flatbread. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake until cheese melts, about 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions. Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Wilson Farm’s Kitchen.

At a news conference Thursday to promote her halftime Super Bowl performance, she was asked what she thought of the wide receiver’s touchdown celebration dance and if she had any criticisms of his moves.

“I have no criticism … actually, he’s inspired me. I’ve been practicing,” said Madonna, who lives in New York, before busting a move in front of the few hundred media members in attendance.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens Reports

“Do you think he’d approve?” she asked after her brief performance. Madonna also leaned toward the Giants when pressed on which quarterback she’d rather have dinner with, the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady or the Giants’ Eli Manning. While she protested the question was unfair, she allowed: “I’d have to say Eli because he lives in New York and I don’t want him to waste gas. “

Madonna’s salsa dance was her only performance of the day; she declined to follow the footsteps of other halftime acts who have given a tease of their performance with a mini concert.

Madonna gave few details about Sunday’s show, which is being “imagined” Cirque du Soleil and may feature white-hot rapper Nicki Minaj, who is featured on Madonna’s new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” (She promoted her song by announcing it would be available on iTunes Friday, and for those who may not have known her film “W.E.” opens this week, a press kit was placed on seats for reporters).

“”I really don’t want to blow the surprises,” said Madonna, who only promised to sing three old songs and one new one. “I want people to be knocked off their feet.’”

The 53-year-old music icon is perhaps the most edgy Super Bowl performer since 2004, the halftime show that will live in infamy, as Justin Timberlake revealed Janet Jackson’s bare breast during a “wardrobe malfunction.” Madonna, who is as defined by sometimes racy antics as her music, once again promised no flesh would be seen during her set, and when asked if she was going to be “pushing the envelope,” she said: “The envelope I am pushing is for a spectacular show which will, I think, entertain all age groups and will be a feast for the eyes and ears.”

Madonna fielded several questions from reporters, some softball, some staid, and a couple bizarre. One person asked if she could confirm that her former companion and rumored boyfriend Alex Rodriguez had a painting in his house featuring himself as a half-man centaur.

“If he does, I haven’t seen it but I’m pretty sure he has a rather large painting of me,” she said.

Someone else asked Madonna, who admitted that she rarely watches TV let alone games, about the ankle injury to New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, and whether she’d be able to perform with such an ailment.

“Well, a lot of people would say I’m a bit of a masochist,” said Madonna, who said ibuprofen and tape would have her ready to go.

The superstar said she stared rehearsals for the halftime show in December. She also said preparing for her set, which will likely be around 10 minutes, was the most arduous time of her long career, and perhaps made her the most nervous. While Madonna, who has lived in Britain, sometimes affects a British accent, she stressed her Midwestern roots and expressed her love for Indianapolis as well.

“This is a Midwestern girl’s dream to perform at the Super Bowl,” she said. She added that she’d dedicate her performance to her father.

“I was raised in the Midwest and he is the personification of Midwestern values,” she said. “He gave me the work ethic I have so if I am a hard working girl that never stops it is because of him. I am sure of all of the things I have ever done in my life this will be the thing he is most excited about. “

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

With Madonna meeting with the media in advance of her Super Bowl halftime performance, reporters asked a wide range of questions of the 53-year-old pop star. She probably wasn’t ready, though, for the question that Rich Shertenleib of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich asked.

“The Super Bowl is such a perfect blend of entertainment and sports, and I know that you’ve spent time with athletes before and you’re friends with many athletes, Alex Rodriguez being one of them,” Shertenleib said to Madonna. “Is it true that he has an oil painting of himself depicted as a centaur — half man, half horse — in his home?”

Madonna appeared a bit stunned as she smiled and looked around the room for a moment before collecting herself.

“Wow,” she said. “If he does, I haven’t seen it. But I’m pretty sure he has a very large photograph of me lying on a horse. So, I hope that answers your question.”

The centaur story originated in October 2009, when Us Weekly reported that he has a painting of himself as a centaur hanging above his bed.

“He was so vain,” a former Rodriguez “fling” told the magazine. “He had not one, but two painted portraits of himself as a centaur.”

Rich asking Madonna about a-rod centaur painting twitvid.com/9FCQB—
Fred Toucher (@FredToucher) February 02, 2012

Lobster Shepard’s Pie is a twist on the casserole many of us grew up eating, but this version is in a whole other league. Paula Ebben had Lisa show us how it’s made.

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

LOBSTER SHEPHERD’S PIE

Yield: 4 individual servings

1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus 1T cut into 4 pats

1/2 cup whole milk

2 large egg yolks

6 large leeks (about 2 1/2 pounds), white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise and cut into

1/2-inch pieces, rinsed well (6 1/2 cups)

1 turnip, cut into chunks

2 T all-purpose flour

1 cup Lobster Stock (see recipe below)

3 cups Lobster Meat, cut into large chunks

1 T chopped fresh tarragon

1 T chopped chives

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare lobster stock and tarragon chive oil first (see recipes below).

Cover potatoes and turnips in separate pans with water by 2 inches in a medium stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain both pans. Mash potatoes or pass through a ricer. Stir in 4 tablespoons butter, the milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in yolks.

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Cover; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.

Stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in lobster and fresh herbs. Remove from heat and divide among four 10-ounce one-pots. Divide the turnip equally among the 4 pots. Top each with 3/4 cup potato mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border around pot. Add a butter pat. Garnish with tarragon chive oil (see recipe below). Place one-pots on a baking pan and bake until bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Tarragon Chive Oil – yields 7 Tablespoons

1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

9 tablespoons olive oil (not extra-virgin), divided

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Rinse chives under hot water to remove chlorophyll taste. Blend herbs with 4T of the oil until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and whisk in the remaining 5T of oil. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pass through a fine mesh sieve and do not press on the solids; let the oil drip naturally into a measuring cup to make it easier to pour into a squeeze bottle.

Lobster Stock

3 live lobsters (1 1/2 pounds each)

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter

1 large leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces, rinsed well

2 carrots (do not peel), scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups water

4 stems flat-leaf parsley

1 dried bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Fill a lobster pot or other large pot two-thirds full with water. Bring to a boil. Add lobsters headfirst. Cover, and cook until shells are bright red, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from water. Using kitchen shears, clip the tips of the lobster claws, and let drain. Let stand until cool enough to handle.

Remove meat from lobsters, reserving shells. Refrigerate lobster meat, covered, until ready to use. Cut shells into large pieces.

Melt butter in a medium stockpot over high heat. Add leek, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Stir in dry white wine; cook for 2 minutes more. Add reserved lobster shells, the water, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Strain through a fine sieve; discard solids. Let cool. (Stock can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month)

You can substitute chicken or beef for the lobster, and substitute any of the vegetables.

If you’re interested in changing up your menu this year and going beyond nachos and chicken wings, Paula Ebben got a great idea from the folks at Wilson Farm’s Kitchen.

Grilled Eggplant Naan

4 naan

2-3 eggplant, cut in ½ inch slices

2 yellow onions, thinly sliced

½ pint grape tomatoes

1 Tbs. garlic, minced

½ lb. farmers cheese (or feta)

1 tsp. garam masala (or curry powder)

3 Tbs. pomegranate syrup

olive oil

salt and pepper

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

Directions:

Preheat grill

Lightly coat eggplant with olive oil, 2 Tbs. pomegranate syrup, and ½ tsp. garam masala. Grill until cooked all the way through.

Preheat oven to 350º

Meanwhile, heat 3 Tbs. olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Do not stir until onions start to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Continue cooking until onions are golden brown, stirring only to avoid sticking. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add tomatoes, remaining pomegranate syrup, remaining garam masala, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook together for 8 minutes. Place a thin layer of onion mixture on the flatbread, then a layer of eggplant. Sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake for about 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Adele had surgery on her vocal cords last year, and the Grammys will be the first time she has performed live in five months, The Recording Academy announced Tuesday.

RELATED: MGH Says Adele Will Make Full Recovery

Her sophomore album, “21,” has sold more than 6 million copies in the U.S. It is nominated for album of the year and best pop vocal album. The CD has three singles that have hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart, including “Rolling in the Deep,” which is up for record and song of the year.

The Grammys will air live Feb. 12 on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Adele will also perform at the BRIT Awards on Feb. 21.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

25-plus years after Broderick starred in the comedy, he returns as himself mirroring Bueller’s gimmicks in an ad for the 2012 Honda CR-V that will air during Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.

This time instead of faking sick to skip school, Broderick fakes sick to get out of filming a movie so he can take his Honda CR-V out for the day.

With the same memorable music from the movie, Broderick’s CR-V takes him to the National History Museum, the beach, a racetrack and an amusement park as he tries to dodge his agent.

Wisel says Crab Cakes are a great alternative for a gathering, and can be served as an appetizer, slider, or full dinner. She says they’re probably easier to make than you ever thought.

Crab Cakes

½ cup minced shallot

¼ cup red pepper brunoise

¼ cup celery brunoise

2T Mayo

Juice and zest of half a lemon

1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs, plus more for breading station

1 egg lightly beaten, plus more for breading station

1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat

1T Coriander, toasted then ground

1t smoked paprika

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1t Dijon Mustard

Chopped Parsley

Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Flour for breading station

Canola Oil, for frying

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

Directions:

Sweat shallots, red pepper, and celery until they soften a little bit and the shallots become translucent. Try to keep the celery a little crunchy for texture. Put off to the side to cool down before adding it to the crab meat mixture.

After the celery, shallot and red pepper have cooled down, put it into a mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients except for the flour, and gently fold together so you don’t break up the crab meat. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Fry off a little cake to make sure it tastes the way you want it to. Adjust seasoning accordingly.

Set up a standard breading station with egg, flour and panko breadcrumbs.

Form crab cakes that are about ½ an inch thick and dredge in flour first, then the egg, and finally the panko breadcrumbs. Put the crab cakes in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and prevent the crab cake from breaking up when frying.

Shallow fry the crab cakes in the canola oil in a pan on medium heat. You don’t want the pan too hot because the panko will burn quickly, you want it to sizzle lightly when placed in the oil. Serve immediately. You can do this ahead of time and store in the refrigerator (or freezer). Thaw, then bake in the oven at 350 until hot – about 10 minutes.

You can serve the crabcakes with either of the two following toppings:

Blood Orange and Arugula Salad

2 Blood Oranges segmented and juiced

4 oz Baby Arugula

1 Scallion cut on a large bias

EVOO

Kosher Salt and and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Toss blood oranges with the arugula and scallions. Lightly dress the greens with a high quality EVOO, kosher salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Chives Aioli

Yield: 1 ½ cups

1 ½ cups Mayo

½ cup chopped chives

Lemon zest and juice, from half a lemon (you can add more lemon juice if you want it to be more tart)

Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Combine above ingredients in a measuring cup to make it easier to pour into a squeeze bottle. Season to taste with salt and pepper and refrigerate.

Jackie Berkley of Boxborough has performed the national anthem all over the map, including Fenway for the Sox. The Berklee voice student critiqued The Aerosmith front man, and talked about how difficult the song is, while stopping by the WBZ Water Cooler.

WBZ’S Rod Fritz Reports.

Here’s the full interview, with WBZ’S Drew Moholland

You can hear the WBZ Water Cooler on Saturday at 10:25 AM and 2:25 PM, and Sunday at 10:25 AM, on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.