Pop Culture Hot List

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 12, 2009

Pop Culture Hot List

Manny Ramirez

Those who believe Ramirez was just taking a female fertility drug are probably the same ones who will be surprised when the next big-name slugger is linked to performance-enhancing drugs. What's amazing is that Ramirez was so foolish that he got caught during a time when players even rumored to be connected with performance-enhancing drugs are vilified. Another case of just Manny being Manny.

Reggie Bush

He may be one of the fastest players in the NFL, but Bush felt a different kind of speed last weekend as he stepped into the cockpit of the Red Bull Air Race plane and was flown 200 mph over his hometown of San Diego, doing a couple of 360s and knife edges along the way. "I've never done anything like that and I'll never do it again. It was pretty scary," said Bush, who partied after the race with Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson and Shaun White. "I showed Kim the video and tried to get her up there, but she said she would never do anything like that."

Kim Kardashian

While Bush was busy flying in San Diego, Kardashian became a good-luck charm for the Dodgers last Wednesday, throwing out the first pitch before L.A. won its 13th straight home game to start the season, a modern-day record. Too bad the good luck ran out the next day as Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games and the Dodgers proceeded to lose three of their next four games. At least Kardashian's first pitch wasn't as bad as Gary "Baba Booey" Dell'Abate's wild throw at the Mets' Citi Field on Saturday.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham

While David is still happily playing on loan in Italy, Americans can at least be thankful that he gave them one thing before he left. Because of Golden Balls, Victoria said she was comfortable being semi-nude in huge billboard ads for Emporio Armani. "It can be a little intimidating standing half-naked in a studio full of strangers," Posh Spice said. "So it's good to have the support of each other, reassuring and encouraging one another."

Tony Romo

Romo came up short in his bid to reach sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open when he shot an 80 in the local qualifying round Monday at Dallas National Golf Club. Should anyone be surprised that Romo failed to step up in the clutch?

Jose Canseco

Just when you want to laud Canseco for correctly predicting that Manny Ramirez took performance-enhancing drugs, you find out that he's scheduled to box a middle-aged Boca Raton writer named Christopher Gambino in an exhibition fight. On the same card, Michael Lohan and former child stars Danny Bonaduce and Willie Aames will also be stepping into the ring. I wish that was a joke, but sadly it's not.

Justin Timberlake

It was nearly an impossible task, but golf nut Timberlake and Andy Samberg performed the follow-up to the Emmy-winning D--- in a Box on Saturday Night Live last week. And they certainly delivered with their duet, Motherlover, co-starring Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson.

Brett Favre

Favre is practicing at his local high school, sending X-rays to the Minnesota Vikings, chatting with Brad Childress about hiring a quarterbacks coach and offering up denials of a comeback. Is anyone surprised? This has become as much a part of the offseason as the combine, the draft and minicamps.

Bob Uecker

Is there anyone who has elicited better stories in the history of sports than Uecker? Both Artie Lange's and Norm Macdonald's classic appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman this year have been highlighted by stories about the Milwaukee Brewers' play-by-play man. Those stories have made Uecker comedic gold, which may come as a surprise to those who remember him from Mr. Belvedere.

Aaron Brooks

Brooks scored 34 points in the Rockets' victory against the Lakers on Mother's Day, after which he wore a sharp red suit-and-bowtie ensemble. If his play continues to be as sweet as his wardrobe, we may be seeing the birth of the next great point guard in the NBA.