Pop Shots
New Directions
By: Adam Bernard
Last updated July 14th , 2010

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from the new direction Lindsay Lohan's life is going in, to the new language Usher is singing in, to the new career aspirations of Snoop Dogg, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Lindsay Lohan's tears when she was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating her probation had to be real - she's simply not that good an actress. What she is, however, is a total moron. Even if the judge had wanted to give the former teen star yet another chance, by writing the words "Fuck U" on the fingernail of the middle finger of her left hand, and at times putting that hand in such a way so everyone could see it, Lohan essentially threw that opportunity away. This give me an idea, though. With so many former Disney stars like Lohan, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera not doing so hot right now, perhaps a reality show is in order. They could call it 'The Disney Reclamation Project' and the winner would be the one who actually gets their career and/or life back in order.

* In 2003 battle rapper Jin came out with a song titled "Learn Chinese." Apparently Usher was listening because this past Sunday, during a concert in Beijing, the R&B superstar broke into one of Asian pop favorite Wang Lihong's songs before Lihong joined him for an international rendition of "OMG." Up next Usher should learn how to read Chinese just so he can tell all the people with Chinese symbol tattoos what they REALLY mean.

* In what is clearly an effort, and a fairly successful one at that, to get people talking about him again just as his latest album is coming out, Prince is doing a "let's say really stupid stuff to get attention" media blitz. First he made the claim that the internet is no longer a valuable tool for musicians, saying it's "completely over," and adding "the internet's like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated... all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you." In a different interview he mentioned that he suddenly wants to live in France. You know, Prince, maybe if you didn't choose to distribute your new album via a newspaper - which is exactly what he did for his just released 20TEN - you wouldn't have to say such ridiculous things to get back into the public sphere.

* When you think of Snoop Dogg a lot of things may come to mind, but soap operas probably aren't on the list. According to a story in The Hollywood Reporter, however, we might want to start associating Snoop with soaps as not only has he made a guest appearance on One Life to Live, but now he's aiming for a cameo on the British soap opera Coronation Street. I'm OK with this for now, but if we ever see Erica Kane or Luke and Laura guest on one of his albums I think we'll have to stage an intervention.

* Carrie Underwood can put her Louisville Slugger away. She won't be bashing up any rides of cheating lovers anymore as the former American Idol champ tied the knot with Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher this past Saturday in Georgia. There were no details released regarding where they'll be having their honeymoon, but you have to think that now that she can go by the name Carrie Fisher a gold bikini WILL be involved.

* You want to know what power is? Lady Gaga just made the Grammys change their rules. After the "Alejandro" singer was shut out of the Best New Artist category in 2009 because her single "Just Dance" had been nominated in a category the year before, Gaga's fans were more than a little upset, and to the Grammys' credit, they were smart enough to look at the situation and make an adjustment. Now previous Grammy nominees can be eligible for the Best New Artist award as long as the artist hasn't released an entire album and doesn't win whatever category they were nominated in. There's still no word, however, on the eligibility of artists who don't win but give an acceptance speech anyway.

* If you've ever wondered what could possibly make a Ke$ha song palatable, wonder no more, the answer is Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. Check out this brilliant video for "TiK ToK" and I think you'll agree.


And with that, my time is up for the week, but I'll be back next week with more shots on all things pop.

[Tags] POP

Recent Related Articles