New in the Jewelry Industry is...Spongebob Squarepants?

Yes, it's true. Clothing designer, Russell Simmons recently annouced his plans to add a jewelry line devoted specifically to Spongebob. His line is said to be similar to Kimora Lee Simmon's Hello Kitty jewelry line, only for men. However, I think the jewelry still looks a bit too girly for most men to wear. It has not yet been stated when the jewelry will be availble for sale or how much it will cost, but considering it is being labled as "luxiorous", it will probably be a bit on the pricey side. Also, the brand's compeitor, Kimora Lee Simmons's Hello Kitty line, once designed a Hello Kitty necklace for Britney Spears that cost over $50,000. If Russell plans to keep up with his compeition then the price must be in about the same range.

Here are some pictures of the Spongebob jewelry:


























My favorite piece is the last ring, though I'm not crazy with any of them to be honest. I wish they showed spongebob's whole face instead of just part of it and his eye. Also, I think Russell may have overdone it a bit with all of the flowers. I wonder if any of the other characters such as Patrick or Squidward will become a part of the jewerly line.

What do you think of the Spongebob jewelry? Would you buy it or wear it?

Billy Mays was a Druggie? Who Knew?

An official autopsy of the late infomercial actor, Billy Mays, was released today and the results are rather alarming.

While heart disease was still a primary cause of his death, there were also a series of drugs found in his system. Some of these drugs include cocaine, Oxycontin, Valium, and anti-anxiety medications. However, it has been reported that the results show that the drugs were consumed a few days before his death rather than right before his death. Heart disease was still the primary factor in his death, but the drugs definitely could have triggered his death.

Wow. I never saw Billy Mays as being someone to use drugs, especially not cocaine. It just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by it's cover...

Which Former Idol Contestant Found Sucess in Hair Growth Formula?

It's the one and only Matt Rogers from season 3 of American Idol!

There hasn't been much publicity centering around Matt Roger's new job as a hair growth formula salesman, but he has earned himself his own, very long, infomercial.

Next time you're up late and have absolutely nothing to do at say, 1:30 in the morning, try flipping through your channels and you just might find him! Rogers is endorsing a hair growth product known as Bosley.

First he was a football player, then he was an American Idol contestant, Prior to American Idol he was a TV Host, and now this?

Really? It's come down to this?

Maybe he'll end up with a call from Mighty products for a replacement as Billy Mays...they do kind of look alike...

Katharine McPhee is a Brunette No More! (*100th Post!*)

First of all, I'd like to say this is the 100th post on What's Poppin' in Pop Culture! My first post was on December 28, 2008 and it was just a welcome post. The first "real" post was about spoilers for the 8th season of American Idol and was posted on the following day. I can't believe I'm up to 100 posts already! Thank you to everyone who's been reading and commenting on my posts!

Ok, now for the real post!

Katharine McPhee, who is typically known as a brunette bombshell, is now a blonde starlite! This hair color change has taken place in the light of apperances and promotions for her new album, called Unbroken, which is scheduled to be released on October 6th. Many people feel that the McPhee lightened her locks in hope of selling more records.

McPhee stated that the hair color change was something she has wanted to do for awhile and it is a symbol of change. This is the first time she dyed her hair ever, so it was a big change for her. She also announced that it has caused her to change her overall style as well.

Do you like her new hair color? I personally think blonde hair looks strange on her and prefer her as a brunette.

More X-Rated Vanessa Hudgens Pictures Leaked onto the Internet

Many people will remember a few years back that the HSM-famed actress, Vanessa Hudgens, was involved in a photo scandal. Back then she admitted that the photos were real and apologized to her fans. However, she is currently facing yet another photo scandal.

The newest set of pictures to hit the web are slightly racier and many questioned whether they were real or photoshopped. Her manager has recently confirmed them to be real and also demanded they be taken down by websites such as perezhilton.com, claiming that Hudgens was under-age at the time the photos were taken.

I don't believe that she was, in fact, underage in the photos, but it seems to be a good method of removing the pictures. Perezhilton.com have already obeyed this request and I'm sure others will do the same.


Now that Hudgens HSM days are over do you think that the pictures will be as damaging as before? I wonder if this will hurt her soon-to-be-released flick, Band Slam.

Miley Cyrus's Clothing Line Now Available at Walmart

The other day I was shopping at the Walmart in Deptford. I glanced by the clothing isles and found a giant display with Miley Cyrus' face on it. This is becoming the ordinary, as Miley Cyrus has practically been granted Queen of the World. I did not, however, know that she is now among the long list of celebrity clothing designers.

However, if you're looking for cute new clothes similar to the ones Cyrus actually wears, you will NOT find them in her clothing line. Her clothes are actually quite ugly. Her clothes consist of various printed t-shirts, plain shirts with vests attached to them, plaid, and colored/printed jeans. A majority of her jeans are skinny jeans. In addition, Cyrus' clothing line has various athletic wear. The clothes are relatively cheap since they are for sale at Walmart. Most of the pants are $20 and most of the shirts are between $7-$10. Cyrus also has a handful of ugly printed leggings for $10.

Here is a look at some of her ugly clothes featured in her line:














What do you think of Miley Cyrus' clothing line? Would you wear or buy from it?

Ugly Better Recieves a Makeover, and isn't all that Ugly anymore!

This is the Ugly Betty we've all known for years:


This is a picture of the newly made-over Betty that will be making it's debut on the show's new season:



Noticeably absent are the bangs, and glasses that have made Ugly Betty, well, ugly. Although she is not smiling in this picture, it has also been reported that the braces are also gone.

She's actually pretty after the makeover!


The makeover was suppose to be due to the character's change this season. Betty will grow up and become a more mature adult on this season.

But with Ugly Betty not so ugly, what is the point of the show?

Could this be the beginning to the end of Ugly Betty?

2009 VMA Nominees/Who I Voted For/Predictions

The Nominees for the 2009 Video Music Awards Have just been released! Here's a list of all of the nominees followed by my votes and predictions!



Category: Best Female Video
Beyonce Single Ladies
Katy Perry Hot and Cold
Kelly Clarkson My Life Would Suck Without You
Lady Gaga Poker Face
Pink So What
Taylor Swift You Belong With Me
My Vote:Tough vote. I love all of these! But my favorite would have to be Lady Gaga's Poker Face.
My Prediction This is so tough. All of these are amazing. I think the final show down will be between Beyonce, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga. I predict that Lady Gaga will be the winner.

Category:Best Hip-Hop Video
Asher Roth I Love College
Eminem We Made You
Flo RidaRight Around
Jay-Z D.O.A.
Kanye West Love Lockdown
My Vote: Jay-Z's D.O.A., simply because I don't like the other artists.
My Prediction: Asher Roth's I Love College.


Category:Best Male Video
Eminem We Made You
Jay-Z D.O.A.
Kanye West "Love Lockdown
Ne-Yo Miss Independent
T.I. f/Rihanna Live Your Life
My Vote: Ne-Yo's Miss Independent
My Prediction: Eminem's We Made You


Category:Best New Artist
3oh!3 Don't Trust Me
Asher Roth I Love College
Drake Best I Ever Had
Kid Cudi Day N' Nite
Lady Gaga Poker Face
My Vote3oh3!'s Don't Trust Me, because Lady Gaga has 9 nominations and it wouldn't be fair for her to win them all, and she's not as new as 30h!3 anyway.
My Prediction: Drake Best I Ever Had, because like I said, Lady Gaga can't win all of them. Everyone seems to love this song. I think it has a good chance.


Category: Best Pop Video
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears Womanizer
Cobra Starship Good Girls Go Bad (Featuring Leighton Meester)
Lady Gaga Poker Face
Wisen y Yandel Abusadora
My Vote:Lady Gaga's Poker Face
My Prediction:Beyonce's Single Ladies


Category: Best Rock Video
Coldplay Viva La Vida
Fall Out Boy I Don't Care
Green Day 21 Guns
Kings of Leon Use Somebody
Paramore Decode
My Vote:It was a tough call between Fall Out Boy, Green Day, and Kings of Leon, but in the end I decided on Kings of Leon.
My Prediction: I think it will be between Coldplay or Kings of Leon. My bet is on Coldplay.

Category:Video of the Year:
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears Womanizer
Eminem We Made You
Kanye West Love Lockdown
Lady Gaga Poker Face
My Vote:Lady Gaga's Poker Face
My Prediction:It's going to come down to Lady Gaga and Beyonce. I think that will all of the remakes between Justin Timberlake and Kevin Jonas on SNL, the award will have to go to Beyonce.


Category: Breakthrough Video
Anjulie Boom
Bat for Lashes Daniel
Chairlift Evident Utensil
Cold War Kids I've Seen Enough
Death Cab for Cutie Grapevine Fires
Gnarls Barkley Who's Gonna Save My Soul
Major Lazer Hold the Line
Matt and Kim Lessons Learned
Passion Pit The Reeling
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Heads Will Roll
My Vote:Death Cab for Cutie's Grapevine Fires
My Prediction:I think it will come down between Death Cab, Gnarls Barkely, and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. I think Gnarls Barkely will take the prize.


Category:Best Video (That Should Have Won a MoonMan)
Beastie Boys Sabotage
Bjork Human Behavior
David Lee Roth California Girls
Dr. Dre Nuthin But a "G" Thang
The Foo Fighters Everlong
George Michael Freedom
OK Go Here it Goes Again
Radiohead Karma Police
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Into the Great Wide Open
U2 Where the Streets Have No Name
My Vote:OK Go's Here it Goes Again
My prediction:People will play the pity card and give the award to The Beastie Boys because the one guy just announced he has cancer.



Non-Voting Cateogiries

Category: Best Art Direction
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears Circus
Coldplay Vida La Viva
Gnarl's Barkely Who's Gonna Save My Soul?
Lady Gaga Papparizi
My Prediction:Britney Spears' Circus


Category: Best Choreography
A.R. Rahman & Pussycat Dolls f/ Nicole Scherzinger Jai Ho!
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears' Circus
Ciara F/Justin Timberlake Love Sex Magic
Kristina DeBarge Goodbye
My Prediction:Beyonce Single Ladies


Category: Best Cinemotography
ColdPlay Viva La Vida
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears' Circus
Green Day 21 Guns
Lady Gaga Papparazi
My Prediction:Coldplay Vida La Viva


Category: Best Direction
Cobra StarshipGood Girls Go Bad
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears' Circus
Lady Gaga Papparazi
Green Day 21 Guns
My Prediction:Lady Gaga Papparazi


Category: Best Editing
Miley Cyrus7 Things
Beyonce Single Ladies
Britney Spears' Circus
Lady Gaga Papparazi
Coldplay Viva La Vida
My Prediction:Lady Gaga Papparazi


Category: Best Special Effects
EminemWe Made You
Beyonce Single Ladies
Gnarl's Barkley Who's Gonna Save My Soul?
Lady Gaga Papparazi
Kanye West f/Mr. Hudson Paranoid
My Prediction:I think it will either be between Lady Gaga or Eminem, actually. I'll go with Lady Gaga Papparazi





Who did you vote for? Who do you think will win?

The Verdict is In! Paula Abdul will NOT be Returning to this Season of American Idol!

This just in! According to perezhilton.com, Paula Abdul will NOT be returning to this season of American Idol! The reason being failed financial negotiations. Simon Cowell was recently offered approximately $144 million per year of Idol and Ryan Seacrest was also granted a pay increase of $45 million per year, whereas Paula Abdul made less than $15 million dollars per year.

It's pretty sad, yet also incredible, that they would offer Cowell over 100 million dollars more than Abdul, but with the addition of last year's Kara Diogaurdi, I guess they don't need Paula anymore. Simon is much more valuable for the show. I don't think the show would be nearly as successful without him. Paula is a bit of an airhead, but she has a craziness and compassion that the contestants and the show needs and DioGuardi lacks. Most viewers are not fans of DioGuardi, anyway.

Do you think the show will do OK with the absence of Abdul?

Radio Shack to Drop "Radio" from it's Name and Just Be Known as "Shack".

The old-time popular electronics chain store, formerly known as Radio Shack, has just announced it's plans to change it's name to simply "Shack". This change will help reflect on the world's change to digital appliances and downloads, and their abandonment of radios.

While it's true that the name "Radio Shack" implies that the store isn't keeping up with the new electronics available to today's youth, I don't think "Shack" is much of an improvement. Seriously, who wants to shop at a store known as the "Shack"?

What do you think of the name change?

New Logo for Nickelodeon Revealed

The popular children's television network, Nickelodeon, recently revealed it's new logo. The new logo offers little to no excitement or entertainment. Slime is clearly absent, as is pretty much everything else. The new logo leaves viewers with bubble letters, if you can even call them that, and nothing else. It's a striped down, slime-free, and down right bland version of the old logo. Pretty much the only thing that has remained unchanged about the logo is the color orange.

Nickelodeon debuted their first "splat" logo in 1984. The "splat" logo was slightly changed with what appears to be a reverse effect in 2006. Prior to 1984 Nickelodeon had a rainbow-lettered logo with nothing more than a silver ball in the background. The new logo is the most similar to the oldest logo, minus the silver ball and rainbow colors.

I personally prefer the original splat logo to the new logo. The new logo is by far my least favorite of all of the logos. What do you think?

1981 Logo:








1984 Logo:







2006 Logo:



New, 2009 Logo: