Hot Issue Hits and Misses: Nas and Cory Branan

Rolling Stone’s 2008 Hot Issue spotlights acts like Band of Horses and Vampire Weekend (more on that here). All week, we’ve been taking a look at Hot Issue hits and misses from the past twenty-one years (because nobody’s cultural thermometer is accurate all the time). Hit: “A savior,” we called him. “The hip-hop Proust.” Whatever insane expectations we placed on Nas, the Hot Rapper of 1994, he’s lived up to them. He’s since feuded with Jay-Z and somehow survived, he married the girl who’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard (Kelis), and he’s one of the few rappers who has credibility enough to claim Hip Hop Is Dead. Unfortunately, Nas’ hotness didn’t rub off on his 1994 Hot List page 64 neighbor, Hot Athlete/Baltimore Orioles Jeffrey Hammonds, who finished his disappointing baseball career in 2005 after playing for six teams over the course of twelve years. Miss: In his 2002 Hot Singer-Songwriter write-up, we (and his Wikipedia page) had the audacity to mention Cory Branan in the same sentence as peers Ryan Adams and Bright Eyes. Branan’s The Hell You Say lead to appearances on David Letterman, Carson Daly and our Hot List, but it would be another four years before Branan’s sophomore album 12 Songs was released to little fanfare. Branan also probably wins the award for Hot Lister with the smallest MySpace following (7,458 fans as of right now). Related Stories: Hot Issue Hits and Misses: “OK Computer” and “Cockamamie” Hot Issue Hits and Misses: The Replacements and Wilson Phillips Hot Issue Hits and Misses: Coldplay and Enuff Z’Nuff

Published: 2007-10-15 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, RS 10/18/07: Kid Rock (The 2007 Hot Issue)

Carnie Wilson Loses Weight By Cooking

Singer Carnie Wilson has found a novel way of losing weight - cooking for her reality TV pals. The Wilson Phillips star was asked by actress pal Maureen McCormick to help her run a Tennessee inn as part of an upcoming reality show.[...] Read more!

Published: 2008-07-15 Provider: StarPulse

Columnist Art Buchwald dead at 81

Art Buchwald, who took humorous jabs at Washington politicians in syndicated columns for decades, has died, a close friend said Thursday. He was 81. Buchwald checked into a Washington hospice last February after he chose to quit life-prolonging kidney dialysis.

Published: 2007-01-18 Provider: CNN Keywords: Art Buchwald , Obituaries (General) , Washington , Obituaries (Entertainment) , Paris (France) , New York , Massachusetts , Disasters (General) , Migration , Justice and Rights , Health , United States , Ronald Wilson Reagan , Martha's Vineyard (Massachusetts) , White House , Jimmy Carter , Kyra Phillips , Ernie Pyle , Cable News Network (CNN) , Europe , Pulitzer Prize , Newspaper and Magazines , Arts (general)

Carnie Wilson discusses her weight gain after baby

Former Wilson Phillips band member Carnie Wilson lost 150 pounds in 1999 after gastric bypass surgery, but has since gained at least 50 pounds back after having a baby. Carnie is a size 16 and weighs 208 pounds. Her daughter Lola will turn three next month. Carnie talked to OK! Magazine about her struggle with [...]

Published: 2008-03-20 Provider: Celebitchy Keywords: Carnie Wilson

Cystic Fibrosis Liv Charity Event

LONDON - JANUARY 31: Chelsea player Sean Wright-Phillips arrives for the Cystic Fibrosis 'Liv' charity dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane on January 31, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2008-01-31 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Arrival, UK, England, Park Lane, Dorchester Hotel, Chelsea, Dinner, Playing, Charity and Relief Work, Arts Culture and Entertainment, Cystic Fibrosis, London, Celebrities, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sean Wright-Phillips

Wendy Wilson turning to Supernanny for help

Wendy Wilson, who rose to fame while singing with the music trio Wilson Phillips, and her husband, former rocker Dan Knutson, are seeking the help of Jo Frost aka Supernanny to help them with their four sons -- Leo Evan, 4, Beau, 3, and 5-month-old twins Will and Jesse.  The 38-year-old mom is hoping to learn new strategies for dealing with the family's four rambunctious kids.  Wendy and Dan are the first celebrity parents that have appeared on the reality television show Supernanny.  The episode will air on February 20th on ABC. Source: UPI Thanks to CBB reader Juli.

Published: 2008-01-30 Provider: Celebrity Baby Blog Keywords: Celebrity Dads, News, Reality TV

Womans Own Children Of Courage Awards

LONDON - DECEMBER 12: Presenter Fiona Phillips arrives for the Womans Own Children Of Courage Awards at Westminster Abbey on December 12, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-12-12 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Child, Courage, Arrival, UK, England, Westminster Abbey, Award, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Celebrities, Fiona Phillips, Fiona Phillips

Womans Own Children Of Courage Awards

LONDON - DECEMBER 12: Presenters Fiona Phillips and Andrew Castle arrive for the Womans Own Children Of Courage Awards at Westminster Abbey on December 12, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-12-12 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Child, Courage, Arrival, UK, England, Westminster Abbey, Castle, Award, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Celebrities, Fiona Phillips, Andrew Castle,Fiona Phillips

The White Room - Charity Auction

LONDON - NOVEMBER 08: Wayne Bridge and partner attend 'The White Room' charity auction hosted by Footballer Shaun Wright Phillips at Flawless, New Bond Street, on November 08, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-11-09 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Perfection, UK, England, New Bond Street, Hosting, Auction, Charity and Relief Work, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Attending, Celebrities, Partner, Wayne Bridge, Wayne Bridge

The White Room - Charity Auction

LONDON - NOVEMBER 08: Frank Lampard and partner attend 'The White Room' charity auction hosted by Footballer Shaun Wright Phillips at Flawless, New Bond Street, on November 08, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-11-09 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Perfection, UK, England, New Bond Street, Hosting, Auction, Charity and Relief Work, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Attending, Celebrities, Partner, Frank Lampard, Frank Lampard

The White Room - Charity Auction

LONDON - NOVEMBER 08: Footballer Shaun Wright Phillips hosts 'The White Room' charity auction at Flawless, New Bond Street, on November 08, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-11-09 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Perfection, UK, England, New Bond Street, Hosting, Soccer, Auction, Charity and Relief Work, Soccer Player, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Celebrities, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Shaun Wright Phillips

The White Room - Charity Auction

LONDON - NOVEMBER 08: Harvey attends 'The White Room' charity auction hosted by Footballer Shaun Wright Phillips at Flawless, New Bond Street, on November 08, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Published: 2007-11-09 Provider: ViewImages Keywords: Perfection, UK, England, New Bond Street, Hosting, Auction, Charity and Relief Work, Arts Culture and Entertainment, London, Attending, Celebrities, Harvey, Harvey