Pop Culture Hot List

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 13, 2009

Pop Culture Hot List

Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady

Well, it's official. Tom Brady and Gisele are finally engaged. After rumors flew (and were denied) that the Patriots quarterback proposed to the super model before Christmas, he actually popped the question last week. It's amazing. Even when he's not playing, Brady finds a way to win this time of year.

Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson

Now that the A-Rod and Madonna rumors have died down, there are reports of a possible fling between the New York Yankees slugger and Kate Hudson. Apparently he took the actress out for a three-hour meal at the Lure Fishbar with friends, and the two were very cozy, according to the "New York Post." The couple later went to the Rose Bar, where they met up with other friends. Seems like a lot of friends for an actual date, but maybe A-Rod is about as clutch off the field as he is on and needs some help.

Adam Scott and Kate Hudson

It's rare that we have the same starlet on the same list and linked to another athlete, but Kate Hudson seems to be taking over for Alyssa Milano now that she's engaged. Hudson was seen canoodling with Adam Scott at the Ritz-Carlton Maui. The Aussie golfer and the actress are reportedly an item and spent the weekend at Kapalua. At least Hudson, who was linked with Lance Armstrong as well, isn't stuck on one sport. I fully expect to write about her exploits with a quarterback or point guard within the month.

Kevin James

The star of the new film "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is a huge Jets and Mets fan. How big? He named his daughter Shea after the Mets old stadium. "Shea was a horrible building," James told me. "The structure was old but I loved it. I loved it so much I named my daughter after it because that's the stadium my dad took me to my first game and I'll always have great memories."

Candace Parker and Shelden Williams

Candace Parker and her husband, Shelden Williams, are expecting their first child this spring. "Shelden and I are very excited to be expanding our family," said Parker, last year's WNBA MVP and rookie of the year. "We feel blessed and look forward to becoming parents." While Parker will continue to work out in preparation for the 2009 season, if she doesn't play it wouldn't be a first for the Sparks. Two years ago Lisa Leslie missed the entire 2007 season after having a baby girl.

Jerry Rice

After dominating on the football field and the dance floor, Jerry Rice is attempting to see if his success will transfer to movies. The Hall of Fame wider receiver will be making his acting debut in "Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling," a straight to DVD film by Paramount Pictures out Jan. 13. In the movie Rice plays "Hal Gore," a crazy environmentalist who has lived in the wilderness for about 30 years searching for a cure for global warning. "When I got to the set, I couldn't believe what I had to wear," says Rice, who had one day to prepare fore the role after Terry Bradshaw, who was supposed to play the role, backed out. "I always try to dress well and I look like a wreck. I got a beard, I got this big old fur coat that's made of squirrels and I look like I haven't showered in forever. People are going to see a side of me that they've never seen before."

Charles Barkley

Apparently, even Teflon isn't indestructible. After years of doing whatever he wanted and having it slide off him because he was Charles Barkley, "The Round Mound of Rebound" finally went too far. His New Year's Eve arrest on suspicion of drunken driving may have ended his run on TNT, although I have a feeling we'll see Chuck back in time for the NBA All-Star Game, which is in Phoenix, where, coincidentally, Barkley was arrested.

Pacman Jones

It was nice knowing you Pacman. As long as you're still on national TV confessing your love for strip clubs and acting as if there's no difference between a regular club and a strip club, good luck trying to get another chance to play in the NFL.

Mickey Rourke

Easily the most surreal sight of 2009 (besides seeing the Arizona Cardinals host an NFC Championship Game) was watching Mickey Rourke win a Golden Globe for his starring role in "The Wrestler." Get used to it, Rourke should be adding an Oscar to his collection as well. Now if we can just get someone to fix his face.

Playboy Party

After battling with "Maxim" for Super Bowl party supremacy since 2001, "Playboy" officially bowed out of the Super Bowl party circuit this year, joining SI, Victoria's Secret, CAA and many others that had become Super shindig staples. Damn you, economy.