Pop Culture Hot List

SI Staff | Jan 21, 2009

Pop Culture Hot List /

Pop Culture Hot List

Barack Obama

Barack Obama intends to install a basketball court into the White House so he can play pick-up games with his cabinet and maybe even some world leaders. After all, nothing ends conflict better than a friendly game of H-O-R-S-E.

Tiger Woods

The usually apolitical Woods stepped out of his comfort zone and spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the opening ceremony of the inauguration on Sunday. While it was nice to see Woods in that role, I think we can all agree we'd rather see him back on the links.

LeBron James

King James might be making a case for being the best basketball player on the planet, but that doesn't mean he can't pull a Bo Jackson and dominate in two sports. In a recent commercial, James is shown dominating on the gridiron with the Cleveland Browns, culminating with a Super Bowl win. I'm not sure what's more unbelievable, James dominating in the NFL or the Browns winning a Super Bowl.

Terrell Owens

T.O. is keeping busy while the Cowboys decide whether to part way with their controversial receiver. Owens was busy making the rounds at Sundance, stopping by every gifting suite from SpongeBob SquarePants to Fred Segal. He even had time to watch the NFC Championship game with Paris Hilton. Maybe next year he'll find some time in his shopping schedule to actually play in the game.

Darren McFadden

Raiders running back Darren McFadden just completed his first season in the NFL and now he will highlight what a year in the NFL is like in a 30-second Super Bowl commercial for the NFL Network. McFadden was at Universal Studios Hollywood last week shooting the spot with teammates Justin Fargas and Chris Morris along with the Raiderettes and rookie linebacker prospects Brian Cushing (USC) and Brian Orakpo (Texas). In the ad McFadden starts out running in a snow-covered park before his background changes to the Combine, the NFL draft, training camp, the Hall of Fame ceremony and culminates with him running onto the field on opening day. McFadden's clothing also seamlessly changes with every background as the ad used the same camera technology and cinematographer from the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Mike Tyson

One of the most talked about films at the Sundance Film Festival was a gritty documentary about Mike Tyson that features candid interviews with the former heavyweight champion. The film was written and directed by James Toback and touts Carmelo Anthony as an executive producer. "Outside of basketball, movies are my big passion, and it is a great experience for me to be a part of this film," says Anthony, who recently founded Krossover Productions, a broad range production company that will focus on all genres of film and TV. "James Toback truly created a work of art with Tyson, and we are excited for the public to see very soon what this film is all about." Sony Pictures Classics confirmed the acquisition of North American rights to the film, which will be released in theatres on April 24.

Jennifer Hudson

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has been tabbed to sing the national anthem before this year's Super Bowl. It will be the first public appearance for the "Dreamgirls" star since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in their Chicago home in October. The emotional performance may bring up memories of Whitney Houston's stirring rendition of the anthem 18 years ago when the Super Bowl was also played in Tampa.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are still in the process of finalizing a potential mega-fight in May, but if the fight becomes official it will be Pacquiao and not Hatton, from Manchester, England, who will be dedicating the fight to Queen Elizabeth. Pacquiao and his wife, Jinky, gave birth to their fourth child recently and named her Queen Elizabeth. No truth to the rumor that he plans to name his next son King Arthur.

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes and former minor league baseball player Doug Reinhardt have broken up, but both sides are claiming credit for calling it off. "Amanda broke up with Doug," said Bynes' rep. "She wouldn't even let me have a guys' night out without flipping out on me, so it's over," said Reinhardt. Thankfully we're all over with this story.

Sports Drink War

One of the most competitive aspects of this year's Sundance Film Festival had nothing to do with films but the sports drink war raging between Gatorade -- or G as they're now called -- and Vitamin Water. While Gatorade held a G Gym at the Village at the Yard, inviting celebrities such as Nick Cannon and Christina Milian to work out with their trainers, Vitamin Water bought out an entire house and held a yoga session with Russell Simmons and a core workout with 50 Cent.

Published Jan 21, 2009

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