Behind the Scenes

Holiday Toy Guide

The Toy Guy® is here with his annual holiday toy picks - this year they are very budget-friendly, ringing in at $20 and under. Here are some awesome web-only ideas he's recommending:

Rainy Day Fun with Toys!

It’s been one of the rainiest summers on record, and if your kids aren’t mildewed, they’re probably bouncing off the walls. Here are some great ideas to keep them entertained on rainy days—and maybe learn a thing or two…

CREATIVE PLAY

 

Crayola Color Switchers
Dual-ended markers that allow kids to magically change color as kids draw

 

Crayola Pip Squeaks
Mini Colored pencils sized right for kids hands.

Crayola Telecsoping Crayon Tower
150 crayons in a very cool tower. Easy for kids to grab. Enough crayons so there are no fights.

Crayola Pip Squeaks
From Crayola
Ages 5 +
$4.99

Crayola Color Switchers
From Crayola
Ages 3+
$4.99

Crayola Telescoping Crayon Tower
From Crayola
Ages 5+
$14.99

Crayola Color Town
A complete playset that uses the crayons to make the decorations—and become the animals in the zoo.

Crayola Color Town
From Wild Planet
Ages 3 +
$19.99

Ready, Set, School
Tons of great school readiness activities in a box. Writing, lacing, letter and number identification. All the things that kids need to know as they get ready to go to Kindergarten

Ready Set School
From Alex
Ages 3+
$24.99

Paperoni
Arts and crafts play with rolled paper. Make 2-D or 3-D designs.

Paperoni Deluxe Studio
From Spin Master
Ages 6+
$19.99

Play-Doh Burger Builder
One of the all-time classics since 1956. And the food sets are among the best-sellers. Make the perfect Play-Doh burger. Then mush it up and do it again.

Play-Doh Burger Builder
From Hasbro
Ages 3 +
$14.99

LEARNING TOYS

Tag Jr.
Following up on the incredible success of the Tag reading system, LeapFrog has introduced a new item for younger kids. It’s great for exploring and pre- and early reading.

Tag Jr.
From LeapFrog
$24.99 Additional books $10.00
Ages 2-4 Years

Alphabet Soup
Fun letter, color and early spelling toy from VTECH.

Alphabet Soup
From VTECH
$29.99
Ages 3+

Nitro Tech Notebook
Great learning laptop for little kids with more than 70 activities, online connectivity and much more. Great styling, too. Looks like a real grown-ups notebook

Nitro Web Notebook
From VTECH
$49.99
Ages 5-8

Super Why Zap & Learn Why Writer
Just like on the show, the Why Writer gives kids answers and encourages them to learn

Super Why Zap & Learn Why Writer
From Learning Curve
$19.99
Ages 3-5

FUN & GAMES

Spy Gear Evidence Kit
Be your own Closer or part of a CSI Team with this great set that lifts fingerprints.

Spy Gear Evidence Kit
From Wild Planet
$15.00
Ages 6+

Nerf N-Strike Tech Target
Indoor target practice and 3 games with a Nerf gun. What else do you need?

Nerf N-Strike Tech Target
From Hasbro
$24.99
Ages 6+

Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset

Polly’s having a blast in her own combination roller coaster and mall. A little girl’s dream come ture

Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset From Mattel
$49.99
Ages 4+

Trio Basic Tub Set
The first preschool construction system that is designed specifically for 3-year-old hands

Trio Basic Tub Set
From Fisher Price
$29.99
Ages 36

Mickey’s Magic Choo-Choo
A train that can run on its own track or lay it’s track as it rolls along.

Mickey’s Magic Choo Choo
From Fisher Price Friends
$49.99
Ages 3 +

1-2-3- Stomp!
Very cool active learning game. Stomp on the console to send the numbers flying, then run around and put them back in according to three different games

1-2-3 Stomp!
From Wild Planet
$29.99
Ages 3+

Dr. Seuss’s Super Stretch ABC’s
A great game that keeps kids active and learning with a great, silly Dr. Seuss twist.

Dr. Seuss Super Stretchy ABC Game
From I Can Do That! Games
$29.99
Ages 3+

Ticket to Ride
One of the most popular games in the world—and no one knows it. Use strategy to build your railway empire. Great for kids and families.

Ticket to Ride
From Games of Wonder
$49.99
Ages 8 +

GI Joe Stars Talk Fun & Toys

For the stars of GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, making the movie was as much fun as, well, playing with the toys. I got to sit down with them in Los Angeles in March to talk about the movie and their roles.

Now, I've seen the movie, and it's pretty darn cool. It's a thrill ride, to be sure, but I was taken by how the narrative and the characters developed. The story line takes off on the GI Joe legends that began in 1982, when the line, which had originally replicated real Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, as GI Joe became a "Real American Hero." Over the years, Cobra has had many guises, but they've always been baddies. In the movie, "The Joes" only have to save the world, which being the heroes they are, they manage quite well.

Channing Tatum who stopped by to talk with Regis & Kelly, as well as the lovely Sienna Miller, talk about their roles in the movie.

For more on this, click over to www.TimetoPlayMag.com

Hot Summer Toys!

Crayola Sidewalk Crayons
By Crayola
Ages 4 and up
Approx. Retail Price $9.99

Tyco R/C Star Trek Quick Charge Flier
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
By Tyco
Ages 8 and up
$19.99

 

Star Wars 3D Kite: Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter
By Jakks Pacific
Ages 6 and up
$24.99

Twin Prop Flyer
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$19.99

.

NERF N-Force Swords
By Hasbro
Ages 6 and up
$12.99

 

 

 

.

CB 2 Stinger Boss Bow
By Prime Time
Ages 8 and up
$29.99

Gazillion Bubbles Bubble Rocket
By Funrise
Ages 6 and up
$24.99

Wave Hoop & Cosmic Hoop
Maui Toys
Ages 3 and Up
$6.99 & 7.99

.

Ringers
By Recreation Sports
Ages 8 and Up
Approx. Retail Price $89.99

.

Jarts
By Recreation Sports
Ages 8 and Up
Approx. Retail Price $19.99

.

Banzai Titan Blast Rocket
By Toy Quest
Ages 8 and up
$59.99

.

Super Soaker 50
By Hasbro
Ages 6 and Up.
$14.99

Super Soaker Quick Blast
By Hasbro
Ages 5 and Up.
$14.99

Turbo Fill Blaster
by Fisher-Price
Ages 3 and Up
$34.99

.

SwimWays Spring Pool
By SwimWays
Ages 3 and up.
$49.99

Submergency
By SwimWays
Ages 6 years and up
Approx. Retail Price: $17.99-$19.99

.

Fishbites Soft Swimmies
By SwimWays
Ages 3 – 5
$7.99 – 9.99

Max Liquidator
By Prime Time
Ages 6 and Up
$9.99

 

.

Splash Bombs
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$2.99 – 3.99

.

Trampoline Bats
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and up
$16.99

 

.

Zipper Splasher
By Prime Time
Ages 4 and Up
$7.99

HAVE FUN OUT THERE!

Visit www.TimeToPlayMag.com for more great ideas:)

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh. What A Little Light Bulb Can Do Ooh Ooh

The Easy Bake Oven is 46 years old, and kids still find it magical…and the baked goods tasty.

BY CHRISTOPHER BYRNE, The Toy Guy®

A couple of years ago, people were surprised when we did some research and discovered that the Food Network is hot among grade school and middle school kids. They weren’t so surprised that girls were into it—after all girls have been playing “kitchen” for generations.

But boys? Well, we found that shows like “Iron Chef” were attracting boys in record numbers. And why not? It’s fire, competition, weapons and food—pretty classic boys’ stuff. And if the weapon is a paring knife and the adversary a block of cheddar, it still excited them enough to create a growing interest in cooking as a pastime for boys and families overall.

That’s not surprising. Cooking has become an outlet for creativity in play with the added bonus that you get to eat your creations. Come to think of it, kids do eat crayons and paste, but that’s not their intended use. Food toys, on the other hand are all about creative play and making treats. Moreover, one of the best things about food toys is that a lot of time goes into them, and the resulting desserts are usually pretty small, so we’ve got all the fun and portion control, so parents can feel good about allowing kids to play in this way.

In 2009, we’re getting close to a third generation of kids playing with the Easy Bake Oven. First introduced by Kenner in 1963, the Avocado Green toy (a popular kitchen color back then) used a light bulb to bake cakes. Kids were fascinated. Girls, at the time it was mostly girls who played with it, could make things themselves without parental supervision and they had the pride of doing something “grown up” all on their own.

That’s still true today, and there’s even better news. When we tested today’s mixes with moms who grew up with Easy Bake, every one of them comment on how much better the end results taste today than they did decades ago.

And that’s all before getting creative.

Over time, the Easy Bake Oven has gone through many design changes, but the essential play remains unchanged, and more and more boys admit to playing with it, with full parental support. You might say, times change, but people still like cake and being creative.

On May 7, seven finalists ages 8-12 who had been selected from a nationwide search gathered at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida for an exciting bake-off to determine the Easy Bake Baker of the year.

I had the privilege of being one of the judges, which meant that I got to experience firsthand just how imaginative and creative these amazing kids could be. Selecting a winner wasn’t easy, but we managed to do it.

Check out this video for an inside peek at a very exciting and sugar-packed day.

Thanks for watching and remember to drop by www.TimetoPlayMag.com for your best bets for the summer—or any time—and your chance to win free toys every day.

Keep playing!

The Best Toys for Easter Giving

Good news and toy reviews for parents looking for alternatives to candy!

Here comes Peter Cottontail Hoppin' down the bunny trail. Easter is right around the corner. Easter Bread! Making colored Easter eggs! Easter Egg Hunt! And the Easter Bunny!

Over the past decade, Easter has become a bigger and bigger season for toys. Unlike Christmas, however, the holiday hasn’t become culturally secularized. For those who observe the Christian traditions, this is still one of the holiest days of the year.

Historically, Easter as we know it today has its roots in a wide variety of traditions, ranging from the Greeks to the later Pagans, to the Hebrew Passover and Christianity. In the Christian tradition, the Good Friday celebration, and the Last Supper was a Passover feast.

Easter as a holiday didn’t begin to be celebrated until the second century, two hundred years later. At the time many Pagan rituals surrounding the vernal equinox became part of the celebrations, beginning the mix of observances and traditions that are part of the holiday today.

As a result, in addition to its religious significance to Christians, Easter has also become a celebration of the return of spring. And it is in that sense of festival that the Easter Bunny arrives and the traditions of the Easter basket, parading new clothes and welcoming the growing season have entered our culture.

For kids, the Easter basket is synonymous with candy—chocolate bunnies, eggs, jellybeans and many more sugary treats. These have delighted kids for generations. Though today, parents may be a little more cautions, and they’ve asked us if there are toys made just for Easter. Of course there are.

Typically, however, we find that parents want to contain their spending on Easter gifts—especially this year. While there are no hard and fast rules, our interviews with parents indicate that they intend to spend around $20 total per child, which would include a toy and candy.

Parents are especially sensitive about overloading kids with gifts, too, because they feel it takes away from the holiday. As always, we encourage families to

Here are some great ideas, and there’s much more at www.TimetoPlayMag.com.

Furreal Friends Teacup Bunny, Ages 4+
Hasbro’s FurReal Friends toys are the next best thing to a real pet—perhaps even better when you consider that bunnies take a lot of care. Their realistic movements and adorable expressions bring out the “awwww” in everyone. The latest addition to this mechanical menagerie is the FurReal Friends Teacup Bunny. This adorable character responds to touch, makes “real bunny sounds” and has its own spring-themed bag. After all, it’s fun to pretend that your playful pet is turning heads as it hops down the bunny trail. From Hasbro, Suggested retail price: $19.99

Mr. Potato Head Spud Bunny, Ages 2+
This classic toy has become a master of dress-up and a new holiday tradition. This makes a great gift because it’s silly and incorporates classic play for kids. Plus, it’s priced right for shoppers looking for big value and reasonable pricing. The potato body doubles as storage, and Mr. P.H. is definitely going to be the grandest spud in the Easter parade. He comes with potato body, two arms, nose, pair of bunny slippers, muzzle, one pair of ears, pair of eyes, tail and basket. From Hasbro, Suggested retail price: $5.99

My Little Pony Ponyville Easter Eggs, Ages 3+
Putting favorite toys inside eggs is a great option to candy. And for lovers of My Little Pony, these toys are going to be egg-citing. Each set includes half a dozen eggs, each with a different Ponyville character inside. Each set includes the characters Cheerilee, Scotaloo, Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Starsong. For parents, these are a great value that can augment Easter egg hunts or be extra treats tucked in an Easter basket. Suggested retail price: $10.99 per 6-egg set

Play-Doh Spring Eggs, Ages 2+
With a suggested retail price not far from the cost of a dozen jumbo real eggs, this is one of the best Easter surprises we’ve seen. One dozen eggs, each filled with one ounce of colorful Play-Doh—even one golden egg—are great for hiding or baskets. The color of the plastic eggs matches the color of the Play-Doh compound inside. Plus, parents can create special twists for egg hunts—such as a special prize for the child who finds the golden egg. (Hide it in the toughest spot.) Kids will love the special pastel colors, and parents will love the option to sugar. From Hasbro, Suggested retail price: $3.99 per set of one dozen eggs

Hide 'Em & Find 'Em Eggs, Ages 2+
You want to add a little high tech excitement to your Easter egg hunt? Try these out. The Hide ‘Em & Find ‘Em Eggs have advanced electronics that make the egg hunt truly interactive. Hide the eggs and then they begin talking, laughing, and making noises as you try to find them. Open them up to see the cute bunny or baby chick say, “Surprise, You Found Me!”  The eggs come in six colors and have five different speech lines—including “I’m Hiding” and “I’m Over Here!”—and three different sound effects.  Perfect for Easter as well as indoor and outdoor fun year-round! Just coming to the U.S. for Easter this year, these were the #1 selling toys in France in 2008. From Techno Source, Suggested retail price: $3.99 each or $14.99 for a 4-pack

Rabbit Lil Kinz, Ages 6+
If you’ve got a Webkinz fan in your home, or if they’re just getting started in collecting, this is a great little bunny that unlocks a world of interactive play online. Cute, cuddly and sized just right for small hands. The age recommendation of 6-plus is because of the online content. For kids who won’t be playing that way, any number of generic bunny plush items are widely available. From Ganz, Suggested retail price: $9.99

Little People Easter Toys
Fisher-Price’s Little People have been a favorite classic for generations. Now, three new sets made just for Easter will delight kids and provide the same kind of open-ended imaginative play that has characterized Little People. Kids love these because they provide a great basis for open-ended, narrative. Kids see themselves and their peers in the characters and can spend literally hours engrossed in the worlds of their imaginations. Aside from specific themes in the playsets, Little People have always been gender neutral as well. From Fisher-Price.

Little People Easter Baskets, Ages 1-5
These baskets are made in themes for boys and girls. For boys, there’s a color construction set, and for girls a charming tea party. Each basked comes with a special DVD that helps bring the characters to entertaining life. Suggested retail price: $16.49

Little People Easter Eggs, Ages 1-5
Six eggs in all—three with Little People characters and three with companion animals. The characters are bunny themed, and the animals include a bunny, chick and dog. What we love about these is the surprise of opening the eggs to find a smiling friend or adorable animal. A great value, too, as each egg is less than $2, and they’re great for sharing among kids. Suggested retail price: $11.99

Toys Featured on February 20th

Check these out and for more from Chris visit www.TimeToPlayMag.com!

Nerf NBA Nerfoop 3 Point Shootout Set
Hasbro
$9.99
4 and up

 

GI Joe Accelerator Suit Duke
Hasbro
$69.99
5 and up

Razor Spark Kick Scooter
Razor Scooters
$69.99
8 and up

Barbie Golden Anniversary Doll
$50.00
Mattel
6 and up

Barbie Glamour Camper
$79.99
Mattel
6 and up

Printies Design Studio
Techno Source
$9.99 - $19.99
6 and up

Disney On Stage
Jakks Pacific
$69.99
4 and up

R.Doggee
Zizzle
$49.99
4 and up

Battle Strikers
Mega
$4.99 - $34.99
6 and up

Saucer Scramble
Mattel
$23.99
5 and up

Wolverine Electronic Claw
Hasbro
$19.99
4 and up

Color Wonder Finger Paints & Paper
Crayola
$6.99
3 and up

 

Etch-a-Sketch Freestyle
Ohio Art
$14.99
3 and up

Sky Ball
Maui Toys
$8.99
6 and up

Girafalaff Limbo
Hasbro
$29.99
4 and up

The Toy Year Starts Again!

It may feel like you’ hardly put the holiday decorations away, and, hopefully, your kids are still enthralled with the toys that they got.

But for those of us in the toy biz, the year has already started again. Right after New Year’s , most of the manufacturers and retailers headed for Hong Kong to take a look at the new toys for 2009, and later this week, virtually everyone is headed for Nuremberg , Germany for the world’s largest toy fair. Then everyone comes to New York for the industry only blow-out later this month. All of this activity is on top of presentations and back-room reveals over recent months. (You can get a glimpse of some of the new stuff coming from Mattel in the video section of www.TimetoPlayMag.com.)

I’ve already seen thousands of toys that toymakers hope will show up in stores. I can tell you frankly, not all of them will.

And I know we’re all nervous about the economy, and may have to be cautious about spending, even on toys this year. Considering a lot of the toys that I’ve already seen and conversations with retailers and manufacturers, the news is a lot better than you might think.

Here are some trends that are already emerging for this year:

You can spend less and still have fun. Mattel and Hasbro and many of the other toymakers are focusing their energies on toys that are under $30. Amazingly, you’ll still find some cool technology and toy “magic,” but it won’t break the bank.

Remember that $300 dinosaur I showed Regis & Kelly about this time last year? Gone. And you’re not likely to see anything like it. Still, animatronic pets are still pretty cool, and you’ll find some around $30 that will engage your kids, if that’s something they enjoy.

It’s all about the play.  Some of the best toys I’ve seen so far this year emphasize what they call “play value” in the industry. What that means is that these are toys that really engage kids and inspire them to play, perhaps in many different ways. From some really creative stuff coming from Crayola, to extensions of the Barbie line (more about that in a minute), to great board games and even Internet-related toys, there’s a new focus on kids’ experiences.

This is particularly true of online play where you’re going to see much richer activities to engage kids as well as extensions of established sites

And, if people are staying home more, this is going to be a great time for games, and there a lot of cool family games coming out that can make for a great evening’s entertainment. (And don’t forget Wii, which has become a whole family hit.) What we like about the best games is that they are different every time they’re played, so even it if’s an old favorite like Monopoly or a new favorite like Blokus, it’s always about the people playing and their interaction.

Focus on classics. Whether it’s My Little Pony or Hot Wheels or Matchbox or Etch-A-Sketch, you’ll see a lot of focus on classic play this year. One reason is that retailers know that these brands are still popular, so they like to have them in stock. But another, more important, reason is that these all emphasize classic play—play that depends on a child’s imagination.

A big year for Barbie. You’re hearing it here first: Barbie is 50, and the celebration is going to be amazing. From unique doll launches to an exclusive fashion show in Bryant Park to her very own real Malibu Beach House in California, Barbie is going to be bigger than ever. I’m getting a backstage pass to many of these unprecedented events, and I’ll be bringing you pictures and more here.

Great Toys and a Great Holiday…Without Busting Your Budget

The Pawpalz Chattering Chico Monkey can be found at Toys R Us for $19.99!

By Christopher Byrne aka The Toy Guy®

Here come the holidays! And that means toys for kids. But if you’re like the vast majority of people we’ve spoken to over the past months, you’re probably concerned about your budget. The good news is that it’s still possible to manage your budget and have a great holiday. On the show on November 18, we’re talking about toys that are under $20—and you may be surprised at how much you can get for your money.

In fact, did you know that with more than 160,000 different toys on the market at any one time in the U.S., the average price of a toy is still about $10? Of course, you’re going to find some toys that are going to cost a lot more, but being on a budget doesn’t mean having no fun.

In addition to checking out the cool toys I shared on the show, here are some tips that can help you make the most of your holiday toy buying this year—and perhaps from now on.

Play value does not equal cost. We’ve all heard the story about the kid who plays with the box instead of the toy. Well, sometimes that’s because the box is more interesting, sorry to say. Or what about the people who say, “We had lots of fun playing with just a stick.” I know you can get a little tired hearing this stuff, but there is a point.  Play happens in the imagination, so toys that inspire imagination tend to keep kids engaged longer. Whether it’s a box of 64 Crayola Crayons ($4.99) or Bakugan sets ($4.99 and up), these are toys that are brought to life by kids’ imaginations. The play that tends to keep kids engaged the longest is active, creative play where they’re in the driver’s seat. Arts and crafts, construction toys, dolls and action figures all fit into this category. The way kids play with these are unique to each child, and you’re giving them the opportunity to express themselves through play. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to provide these experiences.

Go with what’s already in the toy box. If, for instance, your child is interested in LEGO sets or Hot Wheels or Polly Pocket, you can add to their collection with a new item. Virtually every toy brand has new add-on sets every year, and many of these are reasonably priced. Here’s the great thing about that: When you add a new toy to something your child is already playing with, all the other pieces come out again, and it’s like a whole new experience.

When you see something you want, buy it. I know it can be tempting to wait for sales, but think about the other costs of waiting for sales—gas to come back to the store, stress of not finding something you want, time lost searching at the last minute. Who needs that? (Plus, we don’t anticipate many deep discounts on the hot toys of the year, so you’re better off not waiting. And many stores have great policies where they’ll refund the difference on a purchase if the item goes on sale within some days of when you bought it. Check with each store for their policy.)

Share the cost. You may decide that you want to get one expensive toy for your child. Or a child in your life may have his or her heart set on one expensive item. This is a good time to team up with other family members to chip in to buy something together. We’ve consistently found that the value of making a wish come true is far greater than getting a lot of smaller things, which helps with something we passionately believe:

Avoid “present overload.” Sometimes kids get so many toys or gifts that they get overwhelmed. Really. It’s hard to appreciate the things you get when you’re getting tons of stuff. A few presents that are really appreciated will have a lot more meaning and won’t compete for a child’s attention. The value comes from giving kids things they’re really excited about, not the volume of presents they receive.

Manage expectations. We talk about this a lot, but it’s important. Every family is different, but when I was growing up as one of five children without a lot of money, my mother told us, “Santa has to bring toys for all the kids in the world, and even though his sleigh is magical, he can only bring so many toys to each child. Be sure you are careful about what you ask for.” It worked. My brothers and I were conditioned from an early age to know that we were going to get one “big” gift from Santa, and some things in our stockings. None of us ever remember being disappointed because we didn’t get more. You can set the tone for your family.

De-emphasize the gifts. Now, it may sound crazy for The Toy Guy® to say that, but it works. Gifts and toys should be only one part of the holiday—and maybe not even the most important. Time with family, friends, religious and school activities all make up the total “holiday package.” Oh, and don’t worry about me: I’ll be telling you about great things you can buy throughout the year!

Stick with your budget. Gosh, I know this can be tough at the holidays. Still, we’ve interviewed more than 100 parents over the past couple of months, and the one thing they tell us is that they don’t want to add up more credit card charges. We think that’s a good idea. Besides making your toys and gifts more expensive over time, adding to your credit card balance can be stressful and make the holidays harder to enjoy.

Have fun. That’s the most important thing of all. The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time—for everyone. We’ve never known anyone whose holiday was really “ruined” because a child didn’t a specific toy they wanted. It can only be ruined if you think it is. Toys and gifts are not measures of your value as a person: they’re an expression of the love you have. For me, the most fun of the holidays is thinking about the people I love, and coming up with something that’s perfect for them and expresses something about our relationship.

At the end of the day, it’s not about the packages under the tree, but the love in your heart and the time that you share with family and friends that will be remembered and treasured—and that will make the holiday.

We’d love to hear from you, and we’ll answer as many questions as we can throughout the season. And for more information about what’s hot in the world of toys and more—and a chance to win a hot toy every day—come see us at www.TimetoPlayMag.com

Relly Award Winner: Best Wild & Wacky

I am so thrilled to be part of the Regis & Kelly family! The spirit of play and sense of fun everyone brings to these segments constantly amazes me. They may look simple, but it takes the work of Brian the director, Jan Shillay my producer, Michael Gelman, Tommy & his amazing crew who set up and clean up and always laugh along with us--and of course, Regis, Kelly and all the co-hosts who have gotten wet, jumped on crazy things, had stuff thrown at them and have always been the best possible sports. I'm so grateful for this award, and for the chance to play with everyone at Live! Thanks to everyone who voted, and keep playing!

Warm regards,
Chris