At Insurance.com, we are huge fans of competition. MayTheBestWin.com is our way of sharing our passion with you. This site highlights our competitive spirit as a company by featuring videos where competitors go head-to head and news of great competitions from around the world. When you’re ready to let insurance companies get in the game and compete for your business, visit www.Insurance.com. Our one-stop comparison shopping site is designed to save you time and money on your insurance. We think it’s the perfect venue for competition. So good luck and may the best win!

• Leno and Letterman late night Talk Show Wars

   

  Last night the talk show kings were back on the air and in competition, following a two-month break caused by a writers’ strike. Jay Leno and David Letterman both returned to the air – but Jay was flying solo and telling his own jokes, while Dave made a deal with his writers.

  Though it seemed the cards were stacked in Letterman’s favor since his team of professional writers were in tow, the first on-air win goes to Leno’s Tonight Show.

  Leno’s been the ratings winner for three years now against Letterman, who competes in the same time slot.  And by most accounts, Leno came out on top thanks to his quick wit and great guest lineup. Leno was on-point with his Mike Huckabee interview, and chef Emeril Lagasse is always a crowd favorite.

  Letterman’s top guest, Robin Williams, is certainly no slouch. However the Huckabee interview proved more timely, and the presidential candidate’s roll-with-the-punches personality made him a natural for Leno’s format and interviewing style.
  
  But this is one late night TV battle that is far from over. Can Jay be consistently funny week after week sans the help of a writing staff?  Time will tell. Or, we may just learn that viewers don’t need tightly scripted material to ensure a show’s success.

  We at MayTheBestWin will keep tuning in to both shows, and as always we’ll keep you posted.

  Posted Jan 03 2008, 11:38 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Leno, Late Night Talk Shows, Letterman

• The Biggest Loser is BACK on NBC!

  From everyone here at MayTheBestWin, brought to you by Insurance.com: Happy New Year!

  And what better way to kick off 2008 than by actively pursuing your resolution(s)?  Ours is to immerse ourselves EVEN MORE in competition and the competitive spirit; to celebrate the winners, losers and champions that these sporting spectacles produce; and, of course, to keep our readers up to date an informed about all things competitive. 

  And proving that TV producers and network programmers have not lost their sense of irony, Season 5 of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” premiered last night on NBC, and millions of viewers interested in weight loss sat down on their couches and recliners and watched OTHER PEOPLE work out, eat right and get fit.  It would be like watching SOMEONE ELSE read the dictionary, in hopes that you’ll get smarter.  (Although, we have to admit – the temptations, challenges and dreaded “yellow-line” make for more entertaining viewing than page-flipping with ol’ Merriam Webster).

  This season, the contestants are all pursuing their goals in pairs – a mother/daughter duo, former football teammates, and a divorced couple are among the hopefuls.  As the show puts it, “(they) helped each other get fat, not they’ll need to help each other lose weight.” 

  Will they do it?  Who’ll lose the most?  Tune in to find out (check local listings).
  

  Posted Jan 02 2008, 10:14 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, champion, reality TV, biggest loser, New Year's Resolution

• College Bowl Season is Upon Us!

  The Tournament of Roses Parade - and accordinly, the Illinois/USC Rose Bowl - were held yesterday, and the BCS National Championship Game between LSU and Ohio State is this coming Monday, January 7th.  College Football's Bowl Season is in full swing, sports fans! 

   And here at MayTheBestWin, brought to you by Insurance.com, we couldn't think of a better way to start of a new year of competitions!  Best of luck to ALL!

  Posted Jan 02 2008, 10:09 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, champion, winner, College Football, BCS, Rose Bowl

• 2008 Reality TV Schedule

   
  The 2008 reality TV schedule is out and packed with competition. Here are several of the shows MayTheBestWin will be watching closely, and wondering if any of our own Reality Rejects will make the cut and star on some of these intense shows.
  
  Here’s a few highlights from the 2008 reality TV lineup:
  
  The Biggest Loser 5
  (premieres Tuesday, January 1 at 8PM ET/PT on NBC)
  NBC’s weight-loss reality series debuts only two weeks after the fourth-season finale.
  
  Make Me a Supermodel
  (premieres Wednesday, January 2 at 11PM ET/PT on Bravo)
  This model competition features both men and women, and home viewer votes help determine who gets the boot each week.
  
  The Celebrity Apprentice
  (premieres Thursday, January 3 at 9PM ET/PT on NBC)
  It’s debatable just how much celebrity power is in this cast. But these stars are competing for a good cause – their favorite charity – as Trump tests their business smarts.
  
  How To Look Good Naked
  (premieres Friday, January 4 at 9PM ET/PT on Lifetime)
  ***-Eye fashion guru Carson Kressley teaches a diverse bunch of women how to look good without going overboard on surgeries and harmful diets.
  
  Miss America: Reality Check
  (premieres Friday, January 4 at 10PM ET/PT on TLC)
  This reality series follows 52 contestants as they live under one roof and prepare for the big pagent.
  
  American Gladiators (premieres Sunday, January 6 at 9PM ET/PT)
  It’s back! Hulk Hogan hosts this NBC competition . . . enough reason for us to watch.
  
  Dirty Jobs, Season 4
  (premieres Tuesday, January 8 at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel)
  Mike Rowe takes on more messy professions for our amusement.
  
  Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (premieres Thursday, January 10 at 10PM ET/PT on VH1)
  Everyone’s in rehab, why not make a reality show out of it? Loveline host Dr. Drew helps these celebs get back on track.
  
  Scott Baio is 46... and Pregnant
  (premieres Sunday, January 13 at 10PM ET/PT on VH1)
  Scott Baio continues his journey from a single playboy to a proud dad for our entertainment pleasure.
  
  American Idol
  (premieres on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16, with both two-hour broadcasts beginning at 8PM ET/PT on Fox)
  Simon, Paula and Randy are back to give grief and heap praise on America’s singing sensations.
  
  My Fair Brady... Maybe Baby?
  (premieres Sunday, January 20 at 10:30PM ET/PT on VH1)
  Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry are back and thinking about starting a family.
  
  Survivor: Micronesia
  (premieres Thursday, February 7 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS)
  This cast is made up of the show’s biggest fans, and features favorite past castaways as well.
  
  

  Posted Dec 27 2007, 02:55 PM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Survivor, American Idol, biggest loser, 2008 reality tv schedule

• Top New Years' Resolutions

  Top New Years’ Resolutions

   
  This is a time of year when many of us suit up, take the field, and tackle our toughest opponent.  Ourselves.  Sticking to our top New Years’ resolutions is a real challenge, and we at May The Best Win respect everyone who uses the new year to join in the competition of self-betterment.

  So what are some of the top resolutions we make (and yes, often break) every year as Americans? According to stats offered by the US Government, here are the challenges we take on most often, as we pledge our top New Years’ resolutions.

  1. Lose weight.  No surprises here, especially following the holidays where savory and sweet treats keep us captive.
  2. Pay off debts and saving money. Again not surprising: Stats show Americans are simply in too much debt.  Good luck and remember the saying, “It’s hard to go broke with money in the bank.”
  3. Get a better job and more education.  We’re a nation of ambitious people, and when the new year comes around many of us reflect on our skills, and where to best put them to use.
  4. Eat right and get fit.  More than just losing weight, most of us realize we need to change our lifestyles.  Experts recommend small, gradual changes you can stick with, and live with, as you reach your fitness goals.
  5. Quit smoking and drink less.  We’re an educated nation when it comes to the dangers of smoking and drinking in excess.  Here’s to healthier lungs and less hangovers in ’08.
  6. Reduce stress. Easier said than done in our fast-paced society, huh?.  Again, experts suggest little steps to ease your stress levels. More sleep, less caffeine and simple deep breathing are some good places to start.
  7. Volunteer more. We all know we’re a fortunate nation, and it’s in our collective conscience to want to help those in need. What a great resolution to make - and keep.

  We at May The Best Win know one’s toughest battles are often internal.  This is a great time of year to do some reflecting and soul-searching, as we step up to the plate and smash our top New Years’ resolutions right out of the park!   Happy New Years to you and yours from Insurance.com.

   

  Posted Dec 26 2007, 12:10 PM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: top new years' resolutions

• Reality Rejects - Episode 5: FINALE!

  Posted Dec 21 2007, 11:31 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, winner, Reality Rejects, reality TV, Comedy

• Reality Rejects - Episode 4: Hoop Dreams

  Posted Dec 21 2007, 10:58 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, winner, Reality Rejects, reality TV, Comedy

• Winter Vacation Hotspots: Top Winter Travel Destinations

  Winter Vacation Hotspots: Top Winter Travel Destinations

  Summer’s usually the time when our minds roam to vacations and relaxation. But when the winter blues set in, a vacation to someplace fun – warm or cold – can be just the thing to pick up your spirits.

  The MayTheBestWin team has put together a list of winter vacation winners, to help you choose a winter vacation destination right for you.

  Alaska. Sure it’s cold. But you have to figure a place cold all year long is going to really shine as a winter vacation hotspot. From dog sledding to the majestic Northern Lights, Alaska has earned a reputation as a leading family winter vacation destination.

  Yellowstone. Awesome in the summer, Yellowstone National Park is equally inspiring during winter. First-class lodging,  several educational lessons, and incredible scenery make this national treasure worth a trip during colder months.  

  New England. Get a dose of history along with great skiing as you tour the spots where America was born. Maine is home to one of the premiere ski resorts in the nation, Sugarloaf USA. 

  Orlando. So skiing is not your deal, and you are just frankly tired of the cold. Orlando’s one of the most popular vacation destinations year after year. There are theme parks galore, including Walt Disney World, and most of them offer wintertime discounts and rates. So consider Florida in the winter for a less-crowded, cheaper, sunshine-inspired escape.

  Caribbean. Sticking with warm destinations, consider a Caribbean cruise during the winter vacation months. Summer’s when these bodies of water can boil with hurricanes, but during colder months the water is usually quite calm, making for a relaxing winter vacation.

  Hershey. If you are traveling right around the Christmas holiday, Hershey Park lights up Christmas Candyland with over a million lights on display.

  Other top U.S. winter vacation destinations include New York City: America’s City takes on a magical feel during the holidays.   Las Vegas offers a warm escape with plenty of adult fun, and Honolulu, Hawaii is another national favorite when it comes to competing winter vacation hotspots.

  Experts so advise considering travel insurance before you take a vacation. And if you are taking a road trip, make sure you are properly covered with a competitively priced auto insurance policy.

  So stay warm this holiday season . . . or stay cold if that's your fancy, as you travel the country to the winter vacation destination of your choice. 

  Posted Dec 19 2007, 08:17 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: winter vacation hotspots, auto insurance, travel insurance

• Best Sports Brawls of All Time

  After Minnesota’s victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football last night, week 15 of this year’s NFL season draws to a close.  And as I was watching some of the other games this past weekend – particularly after a goal line play in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Atlanta Falcons game – a brief skirmish broke out between several of the players on the field.  After a moment, and thanks to the valiant efforts of the officials to maintain order, the combatants were separated and the crowd dispersed.  A few penalties were handed out and the game continued. 

  And it got me thinking.  Being the sports fans – and fans of all competition – that we are here at MayTheBestWin, brought to you by Insurance.com, when was the last time that we really saw the entire structure of an event break down, and a true no-holds-barred melee erupt between the players and/or fans?  I know what you’re thinking, “that’s not what it’s about; if you’re a TRUE fan of the competition, you play fairly, by the rules, and such behavior is discouraged.”  And we agree.  But as it’s been said before, “people watch NASCAR for the wrecks.”  And sometimes, a little side action between a couple (or couple hundred) hotheads is just what the doctor ordered. 

  With that in mind, check out this article that details some of the greatest sports brawls in recent memory.  And while the list is by no means complete (Who could forget the infamous Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers on-court, off-court fan/player brawl, “Bottlegate” at the end of the Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game in ’01, Carmelo Anthony's sucker-punch in New York or Boston’s Pedro Martinez tossing 72-year old Yankees coach Don Zimmer in the ALCS?) it’s a pretty comprehensive overview. 

  What’s your most-memorable sports brawl?  Got one we left off the list?  Send it in via comments!
  

  Posted Dec 18 2007, 08:24 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, sports, Brawl, Fight

• Duel game show: ABC’s new Trivia Challenge

  
  

  Get ready for a duel.  ABC’s new trivia show Duel premiers Monday, December 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern time and runs for a dramatic 6-nights in a row.

  No shootouts or swordplay here; instead Duel pits 24 contestants against each other in a game ABC is calling a combination of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and World Tournament of Poker. Contestants face off in a multiple choice trivia game where money talks, and wrong answers mean contestants walk.

  The game works like this: Before each duel, contestants receive 10 chips valued at $5000.  The players can save chips or bet as much as they like, based on their likelihood of a right answer.  This combines both chance and strategy, two elements we’ve come to love from our reality TV and game shows.

  ABC insiders say the game requires knowledge, nerves and skill.  Every chip that's bet on an incorrect answer is added to the ultimate jackpot.  When a wrong answer is given or a player runs out of chips, that duel is over as two players are pitted against each other at a time. 

  It should be an interesting mix of players, that's for sure. They range from attorneys, to an umpire, to a belly dancer.  This doesn’t sound like your ordinary game show; we at MayTheBestWin will tune in and bring you the scoop as this hybrid reality show and trivia test starts to unfold.  

  Posted Dec 17 2007, 05:19 PM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: world tournament of poker, duel game show, who wants to be a millionaire

• Mitchell Report winners

  At MayTheBestWin, we love competition. Let us qualify that: We love fair competition.  
  
  Like much of America, we waited with nervous anticipation to see what the Mitchell Report would say.  
  
  The 409-page report, authored by a team led by former Senate majority leader George J. Mitchell, indeed claimed performance enhancing drug use is a problem at every level of professional baseball.
  
  And yes, the report named names. Yankees pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are among the most prominent players identified. Former Met Paul Lo Duca, recently signed by the Washington Nationals, was also ID’d as using performance enhancing drugs.  In all, the massive report identified 86 players as being involved inappropriately to some degree with illegal substance-enhancing drugs.
  
  The losers in this fiasco are many, and the media is doing quite a thorough job pointing fingers, suggesting punishments, and looking at this story from every possible negative angle.
  
  The MayTheBestWin team thought about how to approach this story, and we decided to focus on one very clear positive: The chance for parents to talk with their kids about the dangers of steroids.
  
  The pressure on all athletes can be enormous, and an easy fix like popping some pills or taking a few injections can seem enticing to young athletes who don’t always think long-term.  For many teenagers, next Friday seems a long way off; it’s hard for teens to grasp concepts like long-term ramifications to their health.
  
  In addition to talking about health-related problems with steroids, the Mitchell Report provides a great opportunity to talk about values in sports.  Nothing worth achieving ever comes easy.  Michael Jordan comes to mind as a great role model for kids. Yes he has tremendous natural talent, but he also was known for consistently being the first one to practice, and the last one to leave the court at the day’s end.
  
  That’s the stuff of which character is made. While everyone focuses on the Mitchell Report negatives, let’s take this chance to focus on the positives competition brings to us all.  And may the best drug-free baseball players win, our hats are off to you!

  Posted Dec 14 2007, 12:54 PM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, Mitchell Report, steroids, baseball

• Top 2007 High Tech Gifts

  So what are the hottest high-tech gifts and gadgets competing for a spot in your holiday giving plans this year?  The MayTheBestTeam has assembled a list of top 2007 high tech gifts to help make your holiday giving a bit easier for everyone. 
  

  Second Generation iPod Shuffle
  
  Apple has created a second generation, extremely small iPod Shuffle only slightly bigger than a quarter. A perfect gift for the workout enthusiast in your life, the micro Shuffle holds up to 250 songs.

  Panasonic 42-Inch Plasma HDTV
  
  Panasonic's 42-inch High Definition Plasma TV is in high demand this year, in part to an integrated speaker system and 29 billion colors for a superior picture. 29 billion colors?! You can pick up this high-def TV for as low as $1,300 if you shop around online.

  Presto/HP Printing Mailbox
  
  Did you know 65 million adults are NOT online? Use the Presto/HP Printing Mailbox to stay in touch and send photos and emails to your family members who don’t have a Net connection. The printing mailbox simply plugs into a phone line, and your loved one is set to start receiving pictures and notes from family and friends.

  Eye-Fi Wireless SD card

  Eye-Fi is the first ever wireless SD memory card for digital cameras. Simply approach a wireless signal and the Eye-Fi sends your pictures wirelessly to any one of 17 photo sites such as Facebook or Kodak Gallery. Now that’s cool.

  The Sirius Stiletto 2

  The Stiletto 2 is ultra-light and easy-to-use portable satellite music player. The Stiletto 2 picks up more than 100 channels of digital radio, plus Wi-Fi Net signals so you can stream Sirius.com from your computer and listen to satellite radio. 

  LG enV Cell Phone
  
  The enV delivers a complete multimedia experience, offering users rich media, an internal color screen, QWERTY keypad and dual stereo sound. When synched up with a Bluetooth stereo device, users get full-stereo sound without the wires. This multimedia cell phone runs around $179.99 MSRP.

  Nintendo Wii

  This out-of-the-box gaming system is a hit with everyone as soon as you take it out of the box! Users love the no-instructions needed games created for all ages. Players also like the gaming system’s tie to actual human motion.  The Wii is a real gift champion contender this year, having sold over 350,000 units during the first week of this year’s holiday shopping season.  Grab a Wii starting at $249, but be ready to pay for add-ons enhancing your gaming experience.

  Olympus SP 560 UZ

  Digital cameras are the number one tech present for Christmas, and the fastest-growing segment of the digital camera business is the UltraZoom category. The SP 560 UZ is receiving kudos for its zoom lens and intuitive picture-taking help.

  Apple iMAC desktop computer

  Americans love to make home movies, and we create a massive amount of movies on Christmas Day. The new Apple iMac offers an ultra-easy way to produce movies, using software called iMovie. Just shoot your footage, then connect your camera to the iMAC and enjoy editing at its simplest. Reviewers call the iMAC one of the easiest to use, most intuitively designed home computers ever made.  Price and buy yours at the Apple store online.

  MayTheBestWin wishes you happy shopping for the high-tech aficionados on your shopping list! 
  

  Posted Dec 13 2007, 10:06 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: top 2007 high tech gifts

• Reality Rejects - Episode 3: Cleaning House

  Posted Dec 12 2007, 05:21 PM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, champion, winner, Reality Rejects, reality TV, Comedy

• Gingerbread House Competitions

  A popular holiday tradition for decades now, making miniature houses out of gingerbread (and frosting, candy and almost anything else that’s sweet and edible) has been seeing a resurgence in popularity lately.  And as it is with many holiday traditions – from rigging up the lights, to yard displays and even fruitcake baking – gingerbread house making has taken on a competitive spirit.

  No longer limited to bake sales and intimate get-togethers, the gingerbread house competition has taken front and center on the national stage, thanks to several television specials prominently featuring these delicious dioramas. 

  Food Network Challenge: Gingerbread Champions is a national competition taking place in Ashville, North Carolina.  Five teams of qualifiers from around the country have 8 hours to create a gingerbread scene inspired by one of their favorite childhood memories. 

  White House Christmas 2007 is HGTV’s annual tour of the President and First Lady’s holiday decorations and trimmings, and our first peek at this year’s new gingerbread White House, reinvented each year to coincide with the overall theme of the celebration.  This year:  National Parks!

  Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort is a special presentation that takes you behind the scenes at “the happiest place on Earth,” a gives you an exclusive glimpse into the passion and dedication that goes into crafting the life-sized gingerbread carousel in the Beach Club Resort’s lobby. 

  Here are MayTheBestWin, we salute the efforts of each of these Frosting Aficionados, Giants of Gingerbread, Sultans of Sweets and Kings of Confections.  So this holiday season, take a break from all the baking, family parties, gift-wrapping and eggnog, and see what sort of traditions others are getting into in the name of the holiday spirit – and the spirit of competition! 

  Posted Dec 11 2007, 10:39 AM by MTBW Team with no comments

  Filed under: Competition, champion, Gingerbread House, Holidays

• America's Next Top Model Season Finale Results

  
  Created by supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model follows everyday women as they are transformed by Tyra and her gang into super-fierce models in their own right.
   
  Originally 14 participants were chosen to live together and compete for the grand prize: A modeling contract with Ford Models, a photo shoot with Elle Magazine, and a contract with CoverGirl worth
  $100,000 big ones. Not bad.
   
  The America's Next Top Model season finale is drawing near, airing this Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the CW Network.  The ninth season wraps with the last three contestants shooting a cosmetics commercial. One model will then have to pack her bags, while the final two compete in a runway show in Beijing. Following this high-profile walk-off, the judges will crown this year's winner.
   
  Our May The Best Win team likes this competition because it's about more than having a pretty face. Contestants are pushed to the limits through tests of physical fitness, poise, publicity skills and smarts - all while under the intense scrutiny of America's Next Top Model 24/7 surveillance cameras. 
   
  We'll be tuned in this Wednesday to see who is crowned America's Next Top Model Cycle 9, and as always - May The Best Win!
  

  
  
  Posted Dec 10 2007, 10:26 AM by MTBW Team with 1 comment(s)

  Filed under: America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks

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