WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE, SAY HELLO!

I've always loved entertainment and popular culture - television, film, music, fashion. My interest was initially about the arts and subjects themselves, but with time and current media trends, I've become increasingly interested in the personal and professional lives of celebrity personalities from Oprah's messiah complex to what in the world Miss. Hilton is doing with Three 6 Mafia. As a consumer, a marketer, a sociologist, and a lifestyle writer, I am compelled to these stories for a variety of reasons.

Among my circle of friends are emerging artists, visionaries and excellent conversationalists with limited interest in the fickle lives of priveledged, contrived and two-dimensional personalities, so we don't gab about celebs much. In my opinion, most entertainment weeklies stink, offering shallow and sensationalist reports with no valuable insights. They definitely are not written for me. The CHUM TV network isn't bad if you can stand seeing the same profile of teen-star ten times in twenty days. Rogers' publications are pretty good, but better for lifestyle than entertainment. So what is a smart, successful, multi-dimensional young woman to do for a not-so-fickle fix? Ladies, say hello to "Hello!"

Rogers Publishing (Flare, Lou Lou) is launching a Canadian version of Hello!, the UK's weekly answer to upmarket celeb and entertainment news. Some scrutinize its launch as yet another trash mag in a saturated market, but with Christopher Louden at the helm, Hello! could be the answer for smart pop-culture buffs like myself. Check your newstands this August. I suspect the new mag will offer a sophisticated look and informative editorial on the lives of our favorite business, royalty, and entertainment personalities, as well as super fashion, decor and travel sections.

I know, right?!

VOTE MUCH?

At 18, I was thrilled I could finally vote. I've always felt the importance of exercising my freedom of choice. That sentiment is somewhat jaded now that I understand the illusion of choice that exists in 'democracies'. As a marketer, I am also intimately aware of the illusion of choice that exists in consumer society. As a result, there are few subjects or promotions that can entice my vote. Until now, my vote was reserved for political elections, music awards and online celebrity polls. Then came the MuchMusic VJ Search.

I began watching about six weeks ago, just to check it out as any good pop culturist would. It didn't take long before the Apprentice-like challenges and ANTM-like bickering had me hooked. I knew just where I'd be at 8pm tonight. As it turned out, I cared much more than even I knew.

As the time ticked on the one-hour finale, I developed a stronger and stronger opinion of who deserved the coveted VJ title. The thought of having to settle for one of the inferior competitors actually bothered me. My next move was to muchmusic.com where I was greeeted by a major cyber traffic jam. A $0.50 text message it would be then - 54321 VJSEAN.

Never before has a promotion or reality/competition show prompted me to cast a vote, yet there I was. I watched the final moments of the Search as attentively as I watch the final tally on election days. It was as intense as watching the Oscars. So there it is. It would appear that the subjects that motivate me most are politics and entertainment. I want to know where my Mayor stands on the homeless problem, where my Premier stands on education, where my Prime Minister stands on health care, who's taking home best new artist, who's got Best Supporting Actress, and who's interviewing the people I want to know about most. Trust me, when you watch as much MUCH as I do, it matters.

Honestly. Right, Tim :-)

Sidebar: I'd be interested to know how many Canadians ages 18-25 voted for a MuchMusic VJ versus how many voted in the last federal election.

BULLSEYE: Nick Lachey Dating Predictions On Target

I blinked and almost missed it! Apparently Nick Lachey has been romantically linked to Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari. My first reaction - what? and who? Laguna Beach is yet another MTV reality show, this one following the lives of eight teenagers living in California's Orange County, of which Kristin is one.

Loyal readers may recall my December 28th entry detailing 2006 dating predictions for Nick and Jess. For Nick I predicted, "...With a flailing career his ego is fragile. For a boost, he may hang with a B-list personality such as a dancer, cheerleader, etc. If his career gains some steam, he'll move onto a long-term relationship with another A-List celeb...Look for Nick to be tied to the a Hailey Duff or Kylie Monogue-type" Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 19-year old qualifies.

AnyWHO, that's old news. The latest dating rumors are linking Nick to NY TV-Host Vanessa Minnillo. I think my work here is done.