A year ago, not many people would’ve predicted that “Snakes on a Plane” would be the most-talked-about movie of the summer, but that’s the nature of buzz.
So who (or what) is the current king of pop culture buzz? RedEye presents … (drumroll, please) … the Buzz-o-Meter.
THE BUZZ-O-METER
Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
Instead of having to deny they’re a couple, the two now have to deny they’re breaking up. Such is life in the tabloid glare, and the tabloids are grabbing for the drama with both hands.
Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson
Gossip hounds are gushing about whether the “You, Me and Dupree” co-stars are an item. Both stars’ camps insist they’re just friends, but Wilson and Hudson have been spotted together more and more of late.
My Chemical Romance
The emo (read: scream-o) darlings are getting high marks for their ambitious new album “The Black Parade.” “Man have they gotten better at taking risks,” one review reads.
“Ugly Betty”
Led by lovable star America Ferrera, the ABC show about a wardrobe-challenged assistant at a high-end fashion magazine is the fall’s top new comedy–and a top-notch Halloween costume generator.
Borat
The anticipation for his movie, due out in theaters next weekend, is out of control. Assorted clips and interviews on YouTube get thousands and thousands of hits. Whether he’s in a thong or not, the man is hot.
“The Departed”
Word-of-mouth has kept the movie going strong at the box office, outearning Clint Eastwood’s “Flags of Our Fathers” last weekend. Jack Nicholson and Co. are making it safe to imitate a Boston accent again.
Look who’s rapping now
Looks like Diddy got the last laugh: He says he not only listened to past digs at his rap talent, but the criticism helped him make his best album to date with “Press Play.”
And now he has the sales figures to walk the walk. “Press Play” debuted at the top of the charts this week with approximately 170,000 CDs sold, the first time he’s been at No. 1 in nine years.
Diddy even sings on one of the album’s tracks. “I would say I’m a great shower singer,” he joked about his vocal abilities to The Associated Press. “And I mean what I’m singing! … It’s true to my range, and it’s just me being me.”
Evanescence’s “The Open Door” remained at No. 2 on Billboard’s album chart, and JoJo’s “The High Road” debuted at No. 3, according to billboard.com.
Exit strategy
Jermaine Dupri–superproducer, rapper, and the boyfriend of Janet Jackson–has confirmed to The Associated Press that he has quit as a top executive at Jackson’s label, Virgin Records, amid disappointing sales of Jackson’s new album. “I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave,” he said in a statement.
Babies on board
“Glory Road” star Derek Luke and his wife, Sophia, have a bundle of joy on the way, people.com reported. Luke’s rep confirmed that Sophia, an actress, is expecting their first child, due in early March. Luke’s movie “Catch a Fire” opens this weekend. Elsewhere, people.com also reported that Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi and his wife, Amanda de Cadenet, welcomed twins on Thursday.
Love and ‘Fame’
Bow Wow said he’ll be “pouring my heart out on each record” on his next album, “The Price of Fame,” which he is finishing up in advance of its Dec. 19 release, billboard.com reported. “People just see the outside, and that looks good–big houses, cars, girls, but you never see how the person is feeling deep down inside,” he said.
