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Matt Groening, created the animated sitcom, "The Simpsons" for Fox Broadcasting Company. The idea came from the lobby of James L. Brooks's office and that's how this popular adaptation of a dysfunctional family came about. Even the characters were named after his own family members, with the exception of lead character Bart.

On April 19, 1987, "The Simpsons" made their first appearance as shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show. When the initial submission was made, only basic sketches were handed in expecting they would be refined in production stages but they were left as is and that's the reason why despite modification over the years the Simpsons still have a very rudimentary faade. On December 17, 1989, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was the half-hour premiere show.

The Simpsons has been debated since the start with lead character Bart often going scot-free despite wrong doings and this portrayed him as a poor role model for youngsters. It's portrayal of the middle class American lifestyle symbolized by family members Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson. The backdrop of the show is the fictional town of Springfield, which is filled with characters, and events that are an animated and inspired from American society. Homer Simpson the father is employed as a safety inspector at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Often his job is at risk as a result of his casual and comic nature. His wife, Marge is a conventional American housewife and mother. Their 3 children are Bart, a ten-year-old menace, Lisa, an aware 8 year old activist and the baby Maggie, who hardly speaks but does communicate by sucking on a pacifier. They have a dog called Santa's Little Helper, and a cat, called Snowball II. Over the years, the show has celebrated even ts but the characters have not aged since the start of the show.

The Simpsons have influenced mainstream society in more ways than one. Language and terms used in this animated sitcom has made its transition into popular everyday vernacular. To the extent that Homer Simpsons popular use of the expression 'D'oh!' is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary without its apostrophe. Even the use of the term 'excellent' pronounced as 'excellent' in the show is used by people around us. The term 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys"' referring to the French has been used by popularly by conservative National Review columnist Jonah Goldberg in 2003, when the French opposed the invasion of Iraq proposal. And soon it was popular lingo amongst journalists.

The Simpsons is a legendary show in respect to prime time television programs. This is because initially animated shows were thought to be for kids and airing a complete animated program on prime time for universal viewing was a bold step. Though thought to be an expensive idea, The Simpsons were aired successfully because they cut down on expenses by using Korean animation studios for in-betweening, coloring, and filming. The success of The Simpsons show prompted many others to start animated shows of this nature and for prime time viewing. In its time it has certainly been a pioneering show if its type and still stands tall. In fact the Simpsons are so respected that when South Park achieved success on television they aired an episode "Simpsons Already Did It" as homage to its predecessor.

The Simpsons have been awarded at many occasions. Their booty consists of 23 Emmy Awards, 24 Annie Awards and a Peabody Award. The TIME magazines 1998 publication commemorating the 20th Century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, named The Simpsons as the last century's best television series, along with naming Bart Simpson in the list of the century's 100 most influential people. Incidentally Bart was the only imaginary character on the list. At the turn of this century the Simpsons won a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They have also been acclaimed as the greatest television show of the 1990s, 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows, and 2005's 100 Greatest Cartoons. Homer Simpson has been recognized as the forerunner in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters. Other awards include the TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, and a mention in the TIME's list of 100 Best TV Shows of All Time.

In 2004, they became the longest-running American animated sitcom in the United States. Regardless of criticism over the years, The Simpsons maintains a huge viewer base. The shows first season enjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewers, and the 17th season had an average of 9.2 million viewers per episode, respectively. The Simpsons Movie made $74 million in its opening weekend in the US.

In the end of the last century a number of US public schools banned 'The Simpsons' merchandise and t-shirts. In spite of the ban, their merchandise still continued to be popular and generated US$2 billion in revenue in its first 14 months of sales. Their popularity paved the way for them in turning into a billion-dollar merchandizing industry.

Merchandise includes everything you can imagine, from t-shirts to posters. The iconic characters have inspired unique editions of board games, including Clue, Scrabble, Monopoly, Operation, and The Game of Life. Trivia and card games have also been introduced. There are Simpsons comic books and related publications, including 9 comic book series from Bongo Comics publication. The comics have also been made available in book form and there's episode guides too. There's numerous soundtrack and other musical releases including music that's' not been aired on the show. You can purchase The Simpsons Movie DVDs and DVD boxsets. You can buy video of episodes that have been aired. Seasons one to ten have been released on DVD in many continents. You can even buy The Simpsons video games. This includes The Simpsons, The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants, The Simpsons Road Rage, The Simpsons Hit & Run and The Simpsons Game (2007).

If you love the Simpsons, visit our arcade website, where you can find Simpsons games, wallpapers, chats, forums, characters profiles, as well as play free online games, play driving games and also play sports games.

First, a correction to the episode 1 recap: the single parent to a 3 year old son is Jason, a 31 year old account executive living in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb. I incorrectly identified KC barbershop owner, Ron, as the single parent after Ron revealed to DeAhnna that he is divorced. If divorce hasn't been an issue between DeAhnna and any of the other bachelors, are we to assume Ron is the only one to have been married before? If yes, what went down between Jason and his son's mother?

Episode 2 starts with a 3 minute recap that itself starts with recap #126 of DeAhanna getting dumped by Bachelor 11. Are we going to have to watch this before every episode? I think they should consider one of those humorous theme songs that explains the premise of the show (and if they could play it over a cartoon, that would be even better).

The 15 bachelors pile out of a grotesquely huge limo and into the bright morning sun. Host Chris is there to greet them in front of the fountain at the entrance to the mansion. The guys are looking casual to sloppy. Chris lays down the rules. And the changes are significant:

-If you go on an individual date and she doesn't give you a rose, you are eliminated.
-The guys do not live in the mansion; they live in the guest house, where they will sleep in bunk beds and shower outdoors.
-Every week 3 bachelors will spend the week as DeAhnna's guests, living in the mansion with her.

The first 3 guests are the 3 guys who received 1st impression roses: Texas real estate attorney Jeremy, Colorado-based pro snowboarder Jesse and Binghamton, New York, science teacher Richard. The news that this trio, who has already been singled out by DeAhnna for special recognition, also gets to share living quarters with DeAhnna for the first week sets the others a bit on their heels and it's clear they are not happy.

The guys arriving at the bunk house is like a Psych 101 audio-video presentation on the heterosexual male and homophobia. Sean, the Martial Arts Master (last week he was a mere Expert, but this week he's a Master. Where are they hiding the sensei?), sees the bunk beds and you can almost hear him shrink. When he says in voice-over, "I never slept with 12 guys in one room. I want to get up in the mansion. I need to," he sounds in authentic psychological distress. The shower is outdoors and without walls or any other sort of privacy barrier. Even Graham, former pro basketball player and locker room veteran of hanging out in the presence of other men, tells us he's not comfortable showering outdoor, "with no curtain, no door, no nothing, the way you came into the world." Meanwhile, up at the house, DeAhann is showing off her huge shower to her 3 housemates. She points out the shower has 4 shower heads.

The 3 guys from the mansion show up with the day's date box. Jesse opens it and reads out the names of the 7 guys going on the first group date: Jason, Ryan, Twilley (who I picked to get eliminated last week but who somehow survived), Sean, Paul, Fred, and Richard. When mansion boy Jesse announces that mansion boy Richard will be part of the group date, he tells the bunkhouse boys, "You guys may be going on a date with DeAhnna, but she's riding home with him."

That night DeAhnna takes the 7 to the Magic Castle, a private magicians club, from what we are told. Getting there involves a drive down Hollywood Boulevard. We know this because two of the bachelors hang out a window and yell, "hello, Hollywood," just as if they were would-be celebrities fresh off a bus, come to pursue their dream of stardom, rather than men on a mission to woo the woman of their dreams. And, boy, are they convincing as yahoos. If they weren't successful business types with only DeAhnna on their mind, they would probably do alright in Hollywood.

The group is shown to a low-ceilinged private room, where they are entertained by a magician. After a few slight of hand bits, the magician places DeAhnna and the man of her choice, Jason, in a box and makes them disappear. They slip out a hidden exit and find themselves in a cozy private room, where they spend some one on one time.

Their conversation is less than scintillating, but then again we all have to go through that, "What's your favorite food?" stage, I guess. What they don't talk about is Jason's son, and I'm a little surprised. She obviously likes him. If he lets things progress with her past a certain point and then tells her he has a 3 year old, it's going to kill his chances. Do it now, guy, while you can still appear adorable rather then sneaky.

Back at the compound, Jeremy and Jesse have received another date box. They make their way down to the bunkhouse and open it with the remaining bachelors, Ron, Brian, Graham, Eric, Robert and Chris (the Brady Bunch descendant, not the host). The date box contains an invitation to from DeAhnna to Graham; "Let's head to the shore and get swept away."

But before that we head back to the crowd at the Magic Castle. Sean gets some one on one time with DeAhnna. The room they retire to contains a trick piano that can be played remotely. The producers elect to use it to interrupt and mock Sean. He holds his temper, but not his irritation. Next up, we get shots of the guys trying to impress DeAhnna with their magic tricks. When it is Twilley's turn he elects to put on a storytelling display. Unfortunately, he's making it up as he goes along and winds up boring everybody, which drives him to make up more stuff in an attempt to regain their attention (never a smart move). He comes off desperate and insensitive and I'm again picking this guy to be eliminated by episode's end.

Tensions surface between Ryan and Twilley while DeAhnna is have some alone time with Richard. Seems Ryan thinks Twilley is on the show to put on a show, not to win DeAhnna's heart. For a man who's as overtly Christian as Ryan is, he sure does scowl and judge others a lot.
It's time for DeAhnna to give out a rose to one of the members of her group date. Ryan tells the camera he's made his priorities clear (faith, family and football) and if he doesn't get a rose now, he's not getting one.

He doesn't. DeAhnna gives the rose to the easy-going baby of the group, 23 year old Canadian, Paul. He proposes a toast: "After tonight, I think we all believe in magic." From the expressions on the faces of the other bachelors, they would agree, because they clearly think it's a freaking miracle DeAhnna gave him a rose.

The next morning starts with Paul braving the outdoor shower, a digital blur stuck to his butt crack. I look forward to more of this open shower concept on the next Bachelor.

Cut to DeAhnna addressing the camera. She tells us how excited she is to be going on a one on one date with Graham, who she finds "unbelievably smokin' hot." And she sounds serious about not giving him the rose he must get from her at the end of this date or leave. "If I end today's date with Graham and I don't have in my mind what I've dreamed up about him and what we can have, I'll be totally disappointed." They start the date trying to fly a kite on the beach, and fail miserably. But they laugh it off.

Back at the mansion another date box is opened. DeAhnna will be taking mansion boys Jesse and Jeremy, along with Robert, Ron, Brian and Eric, to Dodger Stadium.

Cut back to the beach. Graham explains he hasn't had but 1 serious relationship, which scares her. They are sitting around a campfire. He gets her to snuggle, and it looks like she's reassured by his smokin' hotness. He gets the rose. And the first kiss.

Back at the house the guys are engaged in guy talk. Ryan lets the others know that he is a virgin. He tells the camera, "I lived my life growing up with the intention to be different from everybody else." Hell, man: you could have chopped off your little toe and accomplished that.

Jason and Twilley have a heart to heart and Jason advises Twilley to show DeAhnna a more serious side or he's going to be out of it. Twilley slips away and hides in the bushes near the mansion, waiting for DeAhnna and Graham to return from their date. They do and, after a good night kiss, Graham heads back to the bunkhouse. Twilley then pops out of hiding. Great way to reassure a woman that you're serious, Twilley. Next time, don't forget the rope and duct tape. They love that. He pleads his case, such as it is. Good luck.

The guys grill Graham about his date and decide that as the winner of the first kiss, he's the front runner.

Next morning DeAhnna and her 2nd group date arrive at Dodger Stadium and are greeted by Dodger coach and baseball legend Tommy Lasorda. They start with the guys taking turns trying to sing the national anthem. Har-har. Then they do a 10-pitch each home run derby. By the time they are down to Jeremy and Chris, the final two, only 2 guys have managed to hit 2 homers. Mansion boy Jeremy steps up and smacks 6. Amazing. Former semi-pro baseball player Chris is last up and he wiffs.

Jeremy wins some alone time with DeAhnna and wisely uses it to drop his guard and open up about his private life. Turns out his parents died within 18 months of each other, which gives him a tie to DeAhnna, who was 12 when her mother died of cancer. By the end of the conversation the two of them are hard-bonded. If he gets a rose out of this date, he'll spend his second week in a row in the mansion. Woinder how the other guys will feel about that?

DeAhnna takes some alone time with some other date members. Eric can't get off his Greekness. He points out that his brother is Greek. DeAhnna points out that she kind of already guessed that. High school football coach Brian smartly responds to her question about "why is a handsome man like you still single" with the standard "haven't met the right woman" line. She laps it up. They do love that one.

At the bunkhouse, Jason can't hold it in anymore and confesses to the guys that he has a son. Could be a bad move; will she hold it against him that he didn't tell her first? I can easily see someone like self-righteous Ryan ("He's not told DeAhnna and that's something she definitely needs to know. It could be a deal breaker.") telling her before Jason himself gets around to it.

At the stadium, Lasorda gives some advice to DeAhnna. It's a hilarious scene. "You gotta to have a crystal ball. And when you look in that crystal ball, it's not what you see now, it's what you're gonna see when you get married." Uh, Tommy; isn't the whole point of the crystal ball to "not see what you see now"?

DeAhnna considers this twaddle to be "great advice" and proof that Lasorda "knows a lot about relationships." I want to scream at the both of them, "There's no such thing as a crystal ball that shows the future. It's a myth."

After talking with Tommy, DeAhnna walks across the field, takes Jeremy by the arm and leads him under the stands. She gives Jeremy the rose while the others still on the field watch on the Jumbotron.

It is rose ceremony night. The 12 bunkhouse bachelors troop up to the big house to join Jeremy, Jesse and Richard. Two rose Jeremy says, "Welcome to our house," which pisses off the others. To tell the truth, though, the only way he can avoid annoying the others at this point would be to pack his bags and leave. Ron goes so far as to confront DeAhnna in front of the others on her choice. Twilley then takes her aside to make one last desperate attempt to convince he's not desperate. Meantime, Ron continues his confrontational behavior and lays into Jeremy as if it is Jeremy's fault she gave him the second rose. Rather than escalate the situation while in the middle of it, Jeremy decides to escalate it from outside the blast range. He heads outside, interrupts Twilley and takes DeAhnna for a private chat. The crowd, as they say, goes crazy.

While the guys work themselves into a lather, DeAhnna complains to Jeremy about the others daring to question her decisions. Out on the bench, Jeremy reminds DeAhnna that he said something to her in Italian when they first met. He translates phrase now: "I came here for you. Especially for you."

If these bachelors don't start focusing on the prize instead of the competition, this season could be wrapped up pretty soon. Jeremy's killing them. I know. I was watching my wife's eyes when Jeremy said the line.

Just before the ceremony DeAhanna walks in on a discussion of who can do the most push-ups. She likes the thought of men competing for her and encourages the men to hold the competition immediately. They oblige. Dark horse Jesse beats them all.

At the rose ceremony that ends the second straight 2 hour episode, Eric the Greek, Chris the Brady and Ryan the Righteous get the boot. They are crushed at being sent to the showers by the likes of Twilley (yeah, I know; that makes me 0-2 in predicting Twilley's demise) and Jesse. But frankly, I can't disagree with DeAhnna's choices.

Lyle Burwell

President, VPTV, The Directory of Viewer Participation TeleVision

The internet, these days, has become quite a necessity for many people. Years ago, people mainly use the internet for email purposes only, but with a variety of ways to do online, like blogging, looking for a job, finding friends, and so on, the internet, it seems, has become indispensable. The internet has become a part of one's daily routine. Nowadays, you can one download music from the internet; he can also download full length movies as well.

A lot of websites make it possible for one to download full length movies, but oftentimes, the service does not come free of charge. As is often the case, a corresponding flat fee of about $40.00 or so is charged to represent as membership fee. With just $40.00, you can be given the right to download all the movies your heart desires.

When looking for a website to download full length movies from, make sure that the website is safe and has a license allowing it to distribute movies online. There is nothing better than downloading movies legally.

A great advantage of having legal copies into your personal computer is that these movies are likely to be free of viruses or malicious malware. Moreover, you get high quality movies and even uncut versions in the movie library.

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To be able to download full length films from reputable and secured sites requires one to sign up and become a member of that site. This can be done by paying the registration fee. After doing so, you are now ready to copy the movie files into your own computer, which in turn can be written to a compact disc or DVD. You can even go to free sites or into a movie rental business with thousands of movies at your disposal. In fact, quite a lot of businessmen are making good money from this.

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The first ever recorded sports bets, took place on 10 September 1858, by two spectators watching a game between the Brooklyn Eckfords and the New York Mutuals, placed a 100$ bet as to whether or not John Holden would hit a home run. Holden himself was assured 25$ if he hit, he did and after the game all the debts were settled.

In 1865 again, in a match between the same teams, three players from the Mutuals agreed to deliberately loose a game in return of $100 each.

After the scandal involving the 1877 Louisville Grays and other fixed games prompted American League President Ban Johnson to impose a ban on all gambling inside

American League ballparks, beginning 1903. However this ban soon proved ineffective and betting flourished. Richard Higham was banned in 1882 after officiating games so that certain outcomes would be produced in return for money. The Giants manger was tainted after he betted and won 400$ on his teams winning the World Series in 1905.
In 1919 eight members of the Chicago White Sox accepted money to loose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Since 1943 some of the games biggest names have been tainted and expelled at some or the time for betting and accepting money for effected performance.

Gambling and players involvement has not been limited to baseball and has affected other games like German Soccer and Horse racing also. In 2005 25 year old Robert Hoyzer admitted having accepted money in return for dishonest officiating.

Betting in US dates back a long way, but the real thrust to this industry was with the legalization of betting in Nevada in 1931. After the mining industry started slowing down, gambling was legalized by the state dry on cash, and soon things started showing up.

Once the big casinos arrived on scene, many small sports betting shops were forced out of business.

Gamblers Anonymous was formed way back in 1957, when two men started meeting on a monthly basis and discussing their gambling and supporting each other. After gaining publicity from local media coverage, the first meeting of GA was held on September 1957 in Los Angeles, California.

Membership requires a commitment to stop gambling. Most of the members consider themselves compulsive gamblers, feeling that theirs is an illness which shall worsen with time if not faced. It is not a proactive organization and intervenes only when men or women feeling they cant help themselves and contact the organization. The organization helps by giving its members certain guidelines to be strictly followed by them. There are no membership fees and no outside donations are accepted. It is supported solely by contributions from its members.

Considering the fact that 2 million or almost 1 percent of all Americans gamble as a \ compulsion the situation is grave and does need aid. Besides GA, there is also the National Council on Problem Gambling, helping people getting out of their addiction with gambling.

Hollywood has had its share of movies based on sports betting. The hustler, blue chip, and White Men Cant Stand were all based on the issue of Sports Betting.

Mansi aggarwal writes about. sports betting truths. Learn more at http://www.sportsandbets.com

Don Juan DeMarco - 4 Stars (Excellent)

"Don Juan DeMarco" is a neat, compact, engrossing film that not only is fantastic entertainment but also tests your sense of reality. Somehow, sadly, it got lost in its limited exposure and lack of commercial success to be all but forgotten as a great moviemaking effort.

I am here to resurrect it and sing the praises of Johnny Depp as Don Juan DeMarco.

Released in 1995 as an independent film, Don Juan DeMarco is the story of John R. DeMarco, a man who believes he is Don Juan, the greatest lover in the world. Clad in a loose cloak with a mask, he arrives in New York in search of his lost love, Dona Ana (Geraldine Pailhas).

Distraught at not finding her, he attempts to commit suicide from atop a billboard, only to be talked down by the soon retiring psychiatrist Dr. Jack Mickler (Marlon Brando). Dr. Mickler has exactly 10 days to bring DeMaco back to reality or he will likely never get out of the psychiatric hospital where he is being held for evaluation.

Dr. Mickler is required to give DeMarco meds immediately but chooses not to do so. DeMarco's impact on Dr. Mickler and the staff is immediately apparent, and he is so convincing as Don Juan that even Dr. Mickler is affected as he reevaluates his own life and marriage to his wife Marilyn (Faye Dunaway).

This movie is too good to give away what happens next.

The transformation of people around Don Juan DeMarco is remarkable. He is intoxicating and uplifting. There is a reason why Johnny Depp is credited with being one of the most versatile actors in the film business, and why the films featuring him have grossed more than $4.7 billion worldwide.

Director Jeremy Leven also wrote the script, which included some work by Lord Byron in his legendary poem "Don Juan". Dozens of Hollywood directors have tried to both direct and write a film but few have achieved as well as Leven. He joins a very short list that includes Tim McCanlies in "Secondhand Lions" and Brian De Palma in "Dressed to Kill".

To understand the power of the script, listen to the dialog of Don Juan DeMarco talking about women:

"There are only 4 questions of value in life, Don Octavio. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same: only love."

"By seeing beyond what is visible to the eye. Now there are those, of course, who do not share my perceptions, it is true. When I say that all my women are dazzling beauties, they object. The nose of this one is too large; the hips of another, they are too wide; perhaps the breasts of a third, they are too small.

"But I see these women for how they truly are . . . glorious, radiant, spectacular, and perfect . . . because I am not limited by my eyesight. Women react to me in the way they do, Don Octavio, because they sense that I search out the beauty that lies within until it overwhelms everything else. And then they cannot avoid their desire, to release that beauty and envelop me in it."

"Have you never met a woman who inspires you to love? Until your every sense is filled with her? You inhale her. You taste her. You see your unborn children in her eyes and know that your heart has at last found a home. Your life begins with her, and without her it must surely end."

I was thinking, how did I miss this dialog when I was 20 years old and dating? No wonder hindsight and maturity are so valuable in our relationships.

Johnny Depp is an exceptional actor who shows his talent in Don Juan DeMarco. Depp is a 3-time Best Actor Academy Award nominee for his work in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "Finding Neverland" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". He did win the Best Actor Golden Globe for Sweeney Todd.

Don Juan DeMarco had a strong musical score by Michael Kamen, and the song "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" was nominated for both a Golden Globe and a Grammy.

Unfortunately, Don Juan DeMarco cost $25 million to produce and generated $68 million worldwide. The lack of awards and lack of bigger profit production meant less press and less exposure for the film, reducing its impact.

I thought Don Juan DeMarco and Johnny Depp were both smashingly good and deserved better. I would see this film again in a heartbeat.

Copyright 2008 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Read my movie reviews on Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "Pirates of the Caribbean: "Dead Man's Chest" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". Johnny Depp is the perfect pirate.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html

Like every major metropolitan area, Los Angeles offers many options when it comes to lodging. But choosing a hotel in Los Angeles can be overwhelming because of the sheer number of hotels and the incredible variety of amenities and price. If you're planning a trip to L.A., here are some things to consider when selecting a Los Angeles hotel.

Location

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis made up of many distinct neighborhoods. Because of this, visitors should consider staying in a hotel that is near the destinations they wish to visit.

If you are coming to Los Angeles on vacation, make a list of the tourist attractions you plan to see and then look at where they are located on a map. This will give you a good idea of where you should look for hotels. If you plan to visit attractions that are all over the Los Angeles area, you should try to find a hotel in a central location such as Hollywood or West Hollywood. These neighborhoods are about 20 minutes (by car) from just about every part of Los Angeles and they have convenient access to freeways.

If you are planning a business trip to L.A., first determine where you'll be attending meetings or visiting with clients. Downtown Los Angeles is a frequent destination for business travelers, as the Convention Center and Financial District are located there. If this is the case for your trip, you'll find a wide selection of hotels in Downtown Los Angeles that are walking distance from your meeting place. Alternately, many business travelers choose to stay in a hotel near LAX airport, especially for one-day trips.

Amenities

Every hotel is different when it comes to the amenities it offers. When looking for a hotel in Los Angeles, it's important to consider who you'll be traveling with, how much time you'll be spending in your hotel and what level of comfort you prefer.

Because of L.A.'s warm year-round weather, many hotels in Los Angeles have swimming pools or jacuzzis on their property. If you want to soak in some sun while you're visiting, look for a hotel that has an outdoor pool. Many upscale Los Angeles hotels even offer poolside service so that you can order food or drinks while you lounge by the pool.

If you're traveling with children, look for a hotel that is family-friendly. This can mean everything from offering video game systems in the rooms to having large bathrooms that will accommodate your whole family. Additionally, many Los Angeles hotels offer suites that will provide parents and children with a little of their own privacy yet still giving parents the peace of mind of proximity to their kids. Parents will also want to look for hotels that are located in safe, well-lit neighborhoods.

Do you expect luxury when you travel? If so, you'll find many Los Angeles hotels that cater to your every desire with luxurious accommodations. From pampering spa services on the premises, to high-end toiletries and towels in the bathroom, to five-star hotel restaurants, there are many upscale hotels in L.A. that will provide the ultimate in service and amenities.

If you plan on bringing your dog to Los Angeles, you'll find quite a few hotels that allow pets. Some even have gourmet dog biscuits on hand or food and water dishes available for your room. Make sure to choose a hotel in a safe neighborhood that has plenty of streets to walk your dog. You might even find a hotel with a park nearby where you can bring your dog to play.

Need to stay connected while you're visiting Los Angeles? If you plan to touch base with the office or simply like to have internet access while on vacation, look for a hotel that offers free hi-speed or wireless internet access. Some hotels offer free internet in your room, while others only offer it in the lobby or common areas. If you expect to log on every day, try to avoid hotels that charge a daily fee for internet access, as this can add up quickly and become quite expensive.

Price

Many people choose hotels only based on price, but it's important to consider the value you're getting as well. For example, if you find a hotel that is centrally located near all of the attractions you want to visit, it's worth paying slightly more for it instead of staying in a cheaper hotel that is further away from everything. Since there are not a lot of cabs in Los Angeles and public transportation is spotty, staying in a hotel that is not centrally located will mean you'll need to rent a car, which may end up costing you more in the long run (versus staying in the more expensive, centrally-located hotel).

If your trip to Los Angeles will comprise your one big vacation this year, you won't want to deal with the headaches that can come from staying in a cheap hotel. You want to relax and enjoy your vacation, so there's nothing wrong with spending a little more to have a better experience. It's okay to splurge a little on a nice hotel every once in a while!

Finally, if you don't plan on spending a lot of time in your hotel room, are adventurous or are traveling on a really tight budget, consider staying in a Los Angeles hostel. Known for their dorm-like rooms, shared bathrooms and communal atmosphere, hostels are an affordable alternative to hotels for budget-conscious travelers. You'll find hostels all over the Los Angeles area, with many located near popular tourist attractions in the heart of Hollywood.

Danielle Mead is a 10-year Los Angeles resident and editor of the website LA4Beginners.com, an insider's guide to visiting or moving to Los Angeles. Visit LA4Beginners.com for additional information on Los Angeles hotels, including tips, photos and room rates or to make a hotel reservation.