Pop Culture Hot List

SI Staff | Sep 8, 2009

Pop Culture Hot List

Shawne Merriman & Tila Tequila

John W. McDonough/SI, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The only thing more bizarre than the story of Merriman getting arrested Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining Tequila is the "he said/she said" that has followed. Merriman says he was simply trying to prevent Tequila from driving drunk after leaving a nightclub. Tequila says she's "allergic to alcohol," a claim that was refuted by the nightclub owner, who said she was living up to her last name and is more likely "allergic to the truth." Anyone else think this has all the makings of a reality show actually worth watching?

Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom

Charley Gallay/Getty Images, Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Angela Weiss/Getty Images

So Lamar Odom goes from dating Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (inset) to reality TV mess Khloe Kardashian. Lakers fans can only hope that his on-court game hasn't dipped as much as the talent level of his girlfriends in the offseason.

LeGarrette Blount

AP

Not only did Blount knock out Boise State defensive end Byron Hout last week, but also he may have KO'd his football career after being suspended for the season for going all Ron Artest after the game. The only thing more surprising than Blounts' punch was Houts' punishment (or lack thereof) for taunting, which was to spend more time with his coach. Who knew spending time with Chris Peterson could be classified as punishment.

Mark Sanchez

John Iacono/SI

If USC fans (not to mention Pete Carroll) were upset at Sanchez for leaving school early after just 16 starts, what must they have thought when they saw Sanchez on the Colorado sidelines over the weekend wearing a CU hat and jacket. All he was missing was silver and gold pom-poms and a Buffalo foam finger.

Caroline Wozniacki & Melanie Oudin

Simon Bruty/SI, Jessica Kluetmeier/SI

While 17-year-old Melanie Oudin may be the best story of the U.S. Open, the Internet is all abuzz over Caroline Wozniacki, her opponent in the quarterfinals. Although judging from search-engine results regarding Wozniacki, tennis isn't what's on most people's minds. The term "caroline wozniacki breasts" was No. 3 on Google Trends over Labor Day weekend.

Bob Barker

Mark Davis/Getty Images

Normally, when you see that Bob Barker is the No. 2 trending topic on Twitter, you think the worst, but thankfully Barker was simply the latest guest host on WWE "Monday Night Raw," where he and his mini microphone turned the show into "The Price is Raw." On second thought, maybe you were right to expect the worst.

Sean Penn & Jessica White

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Never before have SI Swimsuit models been linked to more actors and athletes than this current bunch. According to the "New York Post," Jessica White has moved on from Terrell Owens and is with Sean Penn. Thankfully you can follow all the SI Swimsuit models on Twitter at SI_Swimsuit.

Jesse Holley

AP

The best feel-good story on NFL cut down day was Jesse Holley, the winner of Michael Irvin's reality show "4th and Long," making the Dallas Cowboys practice squad after a game-winning 82-yard punt return in Dallas' last preseason game. The only problem is this mean's Irvin will be back on television with another season of his reality show as he attempts to be the Simon Cowell of the NFL.

Audrina Partridge

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

If Dodgers fans are looking for a reason their team is fading at the end of the season, look no further than inexplicably allowing reality show "stars" like Audrina Partridge to throw out the first pitch at games. It would be one thing if the team didn't play in Hollywood, but you think they could get better celebrities to throw out the first pitch than the entire cast of "The Hills."

Jason David Frank

Courtesy of www.risingsunkarate.com

If the UFC wants to blur the lines between pro wrestling and mixed martial arts more than it already has with its villainous world heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, it should sign Jason David Frank, who was one of the stars of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and is now an MMA fighter. The only catch is he has to wear his Green Power Ranger costume when he steps into the Octagon.