CBS Promises Realistic Reality Dating Show.

Did someone at CBS not get any Valentines?

The network announced a new reality dating show Wednesday — the day after Valentine’s Day — that will offer more reality than typical dating shows that thrive on hot-air balloon rides, champagne toasts, safaris on the backs of elepphants, and all that other fake-romantic crap. It’s called “3″ and will premiere this summer.

“’3′ is a relationship show that won’t perpetuate a fairy tale myth about dating,” said Jennifer Bresnan, executive vice president of alternative programming for CBS Entertainment. ”Without any typical game play, it intimately documents the search for love and the reality of dating — the anticipation, the excitement, the rejection. Along the way, we’ll see personalities who are real, and flawed and simply human.”

Right on, sister.

The show follows an original format by Keshet Broadcasting Ltd., based on a program originally produced by Kastina Productions that had Israel’s biggest new reality show launch in four years when it premiered there last summer.

“3″ is co-produced by Magical Elves, 1492 Television and Keshet Broadcasting. Jane Lipsitz, Dan Cutforth, Chris Columbus, Avi Nir and Ami Glam are the executive producers.

Single men and women can apply online at YanikaBrides.com. Please don’t apply if you have a secret significant other because “The Bachelor” kind of has that market cornered.

The Commonwealth of Virginia versus George Huguely V murder trial in Charlottesville (Va.) Circuit Court is underway with Huguely, a 24 year old former University of Virginia lacrosse player charged with the murder of his former girlfriend, Yeardley Love, a women’s lacrosse player on May 2, 2010.

Now in the second week of testimony, it is clear Love was the victim of free dating abuse long before her death.  The defense maintains that Huguely was drunk the night of her death, visited her to “work things out,” did not intend to kill her and left her apartment with no sense she had been badly hurt.

“I do not know what happened on May 2, but I do know dating abuse is happening on every campus in the nation and we could do a better job preventing it,” commented Marjorie Gilberg, Executive Director of Break the Cycle.

Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors. Moreover, college students are not equipped to deal with dating abuse – 57% say it is difficult to identify and 58% say they don’t know how to help someone who is experiencing it.

“We are working to reduce the shocking rates of abuse among college students and we want young adults to know that free dating is here to answer their questions about dating abuse and relationships.  You can connect with a trained peer advocate, 24-hours–a-day, 7-days–a-week, by online chat, phone and now for the first time ever – by text.  “Everyone can play a role in making relationships safer by taking the time to learn how to identify abuse and what to do if you or a friend encounters it.”

Vice President Joe Biden was the first to demonstrate to the country the simplicity and utility of the texting service by sending the first message.  With the innovative structure of the new free dating, teens and young adults can now get immediate help no matter where they are by texting .

In addition to the text feature, the new free dating is engaging young people to take action against abuse.  “Yeardley Love’s peers have testified that they witnessed warning signs and abusive patterns between the couple.  However, they did not effectively intervene, either because they did not understand the seriousness or they did not know how to help,” continued Ms. Gilberg.  “At free dating, we’re training teens, college students, parents, teachers and administrators what to do in this situation.  If we are to prevent senseless tragedies like these, we all need to learn the dynamics, warning signs and best practices for dealing with free dating abuse.  You can start by exploring the content at free dating.”

College Aged Dating Violence

Whitney Houston died of prescription

drugs mixed with alcohol, sources say.

As fans mourn the loss of Whitney Houston, investigators and family continue to seek answers to the cause of her death. The 48-year-old singer was found dead Saturday in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Coroner’s officials told the Associated Press they will not release any information on the autopsy performed Sunday, but did say there were no obvious signs of trauma. They’ve promised to not rule out any causes of death until toxicology results are in, which may take weeks.

Family sources told TMZ that the “I Have Nothing” singer did not die from drowning. Rather, they suspect Houston died from a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol.

The family was reportedly told there was not enough water in her lungs to indicate she drowned. She may have already been dead before her head was submerged in the tub’s water, TMZ reports.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen told the Associated Press that his agency may release more details Monday about Houston’s death, but it will depend on whether detectives feel comfortable releasing any information.

Houston’s mother has reportedly arranged to have the body flown to Atlanta, and officials will likely grant permission as no foul play was suspected in the singer’s death.

Whitney Houston, who won six Grammys, two Emmys and sold more than 170 million albums and singles over the course of her career, was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Sunday at Sunday night’s Grammy awards. LL Cool J started the show with a prayer for “our fallen sister” and Jennifer Hudson sang “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute.

Taylor Armstrong Talks Russell Armstrong’s Death,

‘Hiding From Reality’

Appearing on the “Today” show Monday morning to promote her new book, “Hiding From Reality,” Taylor Armstrong shared some very personal scenes from her violent marriage with deceased husband Russell Armstrong. The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star revealed that her initial decision to sign up for the reality show was fueled by a subconscious thought that the 24/7 cameras would provide her and her daughter a degree of safety.

“I thought the cameras would provide some protection,” Armstrong explained.

Contrary to reports that Russell was uncomfortable with the reality show’s media attention, Taylor explained that he actually “loved seeing his name in the news” and was excited every morning to check his name in a Google search.

But Armstrong’s memoir doesn’t only focus on her relationship with her husband but also highlights her childhood, during which her mother was a victim of abuse. The reality star remembers standing on her bed as a child wearing blue footy pajamas, pulling her father’s hair while he beat her mother — an experience that no doubt impacted her adult relationship with her alleged physically abusive husband.

But despite the pain that Russell caused in her life, Taylor was clear that she still has love for her deceased husband: “I love him to this day and miss him terribly … The good times were the best I’ve ever had and the worst times were the worst I’ve ever had.”

Armstrong’s book, “Hiding From Reality”, goes on sale today.

John Cusack coming to Syracuse? ‘Adult World’ movie adds more stars to cast.

Is John Cusack coming to Central New York?

The “Hot Tub Time Machine” actor has reportedly been added to the cast of “Adult World,” an independent movie being filmed in Syracuse over the next three weeks. The project, directed by Scott Coffey, stars “Nancy Drew” actress Emma Roberts, niece of Julia Roberts, as a recent college graduate who thinks she’s destined to be a great poet.

According to Deadline, Roberts’ character is 21-year-old Amy Anderson, whose unpaid student loans force her to move back home with her parents and take a job at an erotic bookstore called Adult World. Cusack will play a fictional writer named Rat Billings, “one of the greatest poets of the ’90s” and Amy’s hero.

Other additions to the cast include Shannon Woodward, who currently plays Sabrina on Fox’s “Raising Hope,” and Evan Peters, who’s perhaps best known for roles in “American Horror Story” and “Kick-Ass.”

Cusack’s credits include “Say Anything,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Serendipity,” “2012″ and “High Fidelity,” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. The 45-year-old actor will appear on the big screen next in April as Edgar Allan Poe in “The Raven.”

“‘Adult World’ examines the contemporary state of post-graduate life in America,” Treehouse Pictures president Justin Nappi told Cinema Blend about the film. “This is a smart satirical comedy that will resonate with a lot of people.”

Treehouse is producing the “Adult World” movie, which will feature local resident stand-ins. The project is Coffey’s second turn at directing after 2005′s “Ellie Parker,” starring Naomi Watts.

WATCH: ‘S.I.’ Swimsuit Model Kate Upton Addresses Rumors She’s Dating Mark Sanchez.

You gotta love Ellen DeGeneres, and her go-for-broke, kamikaze-like interview style. While questioning Sports Illustrated cover model Kate Upton on Thursday’s show, she doesn’t bother inquiring whether the rumors are true about Upton dating New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Instead, she just jumps into a line of questioning that assumes that truth to be self-evident.

After discussing the SI cover, DeGeneres smoothly segues into her sneak attack. “And your boyfriend, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, how does he feel about this?”

Upton, 19, who hasn’t officially acknowledged that the two are dating, laughs nervously and offers up a silly non sequitur. “Um, I did not have a Valentine’s Day date this year,” she replies.

“OK, so he was busy,” says DeGeneres, undeterred. “So how does your boyfriend Mark Sanchez feel about all this whole Sports Illustrated cover thing? He must be proud, right?”

Several awkward exchanges continue from there, with DeGeneres trying to hold in laughter and Upton trying to sound coy, but looking like a deer caught in headlights. Eventually the blonde bombshell admits that she’s met him. “My sister works for the Jets,” she says. “And she’s been working there for four years. So, I went to all the games.”

“So, now you’re dating him?” asked DeGeneres, which led Upton to finally admit that she’s met him “briefly.”

Thankfully, DeGeneres refrains from mentioning the news reports about Sanchez’s many visits to her New York City apartment. Instead, she skips right to the more pertinent question of how long they’ve been dating. Fully flummoxed, Upton laughs and says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“All right,” said DeGeneres, and turns to the audience. “She’s dating Mark Sanchez.”

DeGeneres’ playful, non-judgmental vibe allows her to get away with these probing questions. While Upton herself has her fierce fans and her equally strident detractors, DeGeneres manages to keep her interview light-hearted. Kudos to Ellen!

YWCA promotes Dating Violence Prevention Month.

The YWCA of Central Virginia is commemorating February as Dating Violence Prevention Month and is offering education and support services to the community, according to a news release.

Dating violence includes any physical, verbal, emotional or sexual violence that takes place in relationships in which the individuals do not live together and/or have a common child.

Jenna Lodge, community outreach manager at the YWCA in Lynchburg, said Friday the organization wants to increase awareness about dating violence and encourage parents to talk to their children about it.

She said middle school-age children are prime targets for information about dating violence because they are developing social skills, experimenting with different relationships and feeling new pressures.

Dating violence prevalence increases in high school and college, she said.

According to the news release, 43 percent of dating college women report having experienced violent or abusive dating behaviors, and 22 percent report actual physical abuse, sexual abuse or threats of physical violence.

Early warning signs that a relationship may eventually become abusive include the following: extreme jealousy, controlling behavior, quick involvement, unpredictable mood swings, alcohol and drug use, explosive anger, isolation from friends and family, use of force during an argument, hypersensitivity, blaming others for problems or feelings, verbal abuse, abuse of former partners and threats of violence.

Lodge said the death of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia student who died in 2010, has raised awareness about dating violence. Her former boyfriend, George Huguely, was charged with murdering her and is currently on trial.

Inquiries at the YWCA about dating violence have increased, including questions from parents about how to start a conversation about the issue with their children.

It’s important for parents to address the issue with their children, Lodge said, even if they have never experienced violence in the home.

The YWCA offers dating violence group sessions, one-on-one support, court accompaniment and community referrals to victims. A 24-hour hotline is available to anyone seeking more information. That number is 1-888-528-1041.

The YWCA also offers a free, interactive anti-violence theatrical workshop called “Meet D.A.V.E.”

Lodge said the workshop addresses dating violence, bullying, cyberbullying and stalking. The program includes skits and opportunities for the audience to ask the characters questions.

The YWCA offers the program to church groups, college groups and others. It serves Central Virginia, including Campbell County.

Is Jeremy Lin dating Kim Kardashian?

‘Linsanity’ romance rumors fly.

Is Jeremy Lin dating Kim Kardashian?

While NBA fans everywhere are going “Linsane” for the New York Knicks guard, romance rumors are starting to spread, too.

According to Mediatakeout, the 23-year-old Taiwanese-American is going on a date with the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star, set up by her publicist.

“She thinks [Jeremy] is cute, and she’s good friend’s with [his teammate Carmelo Anthony's wife] LaLa. It’s going to be a double date,” a friend told the gossip site.

Lin was reportedly “extremely excited” for the date with the 31-year-old model, socialite and businesswoman.

Another celebrity blog, Gossip Cop, claims Kardashian’s rep (the same publicist alleged to be setting up the date) denied the report. The site quotes the rep as saying the dating rumor is “100 percent not true.”

Perhaps Kardashian saw a photo of Lin shirtless, or maybe she’s just catching the “Linsanity” craze, but since Lin led the Knicks to victory in the past seven games in a row, fans have wanted to know more about the Harvard graduate’s personal life. While he wasn’t spotted with a “Va-LIN-tine” on Feb. 14, tabloids everywhere are hoping to catch Lin in a high-profile relationship soon.

Kardashian, who was married to New Jersey Nets star Kris Humphries for just 72 days, is already talking about her next wedding. In a new interview, the reality TV star says, “I would just want it to be so special, with our family and close friends, and that’s it. Somewhere on a deserted island, very private. No cameras.”

She was also spotted out on a lunch date with ex-boyfriend Reggie Bush at the Beverly Hills Hotel this past weekend, but the Miami Dolphins running back told TMZ they’re not getting back together.

What do you think? Should Jeremy Lin go on a date with Kim Kardashian?