New Mariah!

Here's the latest video from Mariah Carey, "I Stay In Love". I think it's directed by that toad Nick Cannon. Enjoy!

Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling

Even though I had a busy weekend of criss-crossing the midwest catching Madonna concerts and seeing Kurt Angle wrestling, I was still able to catch some reality TV. Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling got even better in the second week. It started off with the two teams talking trash after last week's match. It was mainly Danny Bonaduce and Hollywood Nation's favorite MILF Erin Murphy going at it. Poor Erin was in tears by the end of the exchange (and not for the last time during the show). Not surprising that Danny was a jerk, but one thing that shocked me during the show was that Screech actually came off as a cool guy. Anyone who saw him on Celebrity Fit Club would know that was seemingly impossible, but it really happened.

Anyway, this week the contestants had to jump off of a high platform onto a crash pad. Some were reluctant put they all did it-- except for Frank Stallone, a man after my own heart. No way would I have done that. After that, the teams learned three more moves. Erin struggled to learn the moves and was in tears again. Luckily, unlike baseball, there IS crying in wrestling. I saw Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels do it. Also, during the practing session, Dennis Rodman hurt his arm, Danny Bonaduce skipped out to do his radio show, and Trishelle looked hot in her little wrestling outfit.

In the end, the two teams had their matches. This week Team Beefcake won, which put Erin and Stallone as the two contestants in jeopardy of being cut. Thankfully it was Stallone that was sent packing, thus leaving all the hot broads still on the show. More wackiness next week!

(Photo from cmt.com)

Madonna: The Sticky and Sweet Tour

There's only one word to describe Madonna's live show at the United Center on Sunday.

Amazing.

Say what you will about Madonna's personal life (no sugar or TV in the house!) but the woman knows how to put on a stage show. I was lucky enough to be in attendance for Sunday's leg of the Sticky and Sweet Tour in Chicago. It was a sold-out show and she did not disappoint. I spent part of the night wondering not only how they came up with the concepts but how they pulled them off. She had a nice mix of songs from the latest CD, Hard Candy, and updated mixes of classic Madonna songs. There was a lot happening on the video screens, including appearances by Pharrell, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West. She also played the guitar a lot and is actually quite good. Her singing voice was okay but you could tell that she was clearly lip-synching on some parts (not that anyone cared). The highlight to me was the dancing. She can really go and it was made more impressive when you realize that she is 50. There was some elaborate choerography and she kept the pace with her dancers, including one part where she was jumping rope Double Dutch style and did dance moves while doing it. Other props included a big white car, a mariachi band and a boxing ring. One great segment was when she faced off with four of her backup dancers who were dressed as Material Girl Madonna (in the Marilyn Monroe pink dress), Like a Virgin Madonna (in the wedding dress), Open Your Heart Madonna (in the exotic dancer outfit) and Borderline Madonna during the song "She's Not Me". It was great. Overall, I give the show ten thumbs up. Don't miss this if it comes to your town.

Here's the set list:

Candy Shop
Beat Goes On
Human Nature
Vogue
Into the Groove
Heartbeat
Borderline
She's Not Me
Music
Devil Wouldn't
Recognize You
Spanish Lesson
Miles Away
La Isla Bonita
You Must Love Me
4 Minutes
Like A Prayer
Ray of Light
Hung Up
Give It 2 Me

WWE Cyber Sunday Results

Results from last night's WWE Cyber Sunday PPV:

- Rey Mysterio beat Kane in a No Holds Barred Match

- Matt Hardy beat Evan Bourne

- Miz and Morrison beat Cryme Tyme

- Honky Tonk Man beat Santino Marella by DQ

- Undertaker beat Big Show in a Last Man Standing Match

- Mickie James (dressed as Lara Croft) won a Divas costume contest

- Triple H beat Shawn Michales

- Batista beat Chris Jericho for the Raw World title with Steve Austin as the special referee

(Photo from wwe.com)

Rams vs. Patriots

Our season-turnaround hit a little snag on Sunday as the St. Louis Rams lost to the villified New England Patriots on the road. We only lost by a touchdown though, so it wasn't a complete debacle. Six weeks ago, we would have lost by 50 points. WR Donnie Avery continued to shine. Plus we should get Steven Jackson back next week. So things are looking up. At least we're not the 49ers or Lions.

A Night At The Matches

Photos from tonight's TNA Live house show at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri:

Rhino vs. Kip James

The Beautiful People enter the ring

Beer Money!

A.J. Styles

Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle

Interview with Erin Murphy of Celebrity Championship Wrestling

It's Hollywood Nation's first celebrity interview! Erin Murphy, "Tabitha" of Bewitched and currently one of the stars of CMT's Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling (CCW) was gracious enough to answer a set of questions that I emailed her. And here we go:

1. Were you ever a wrestling fan growing up? If so, do you have any favorites from the past or on the current scene?

I didn't grow up watching wrestling, but I watch it now! I started watching Trish Stratus & Lita on Youtube during filming to see how girls wrestle (Nasty kept telling me it's all the same, but he's wrong).

2. Former WCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff is a judge on CCW. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how bad did you want to dropkick this man?

On the "annoying scale" of 1-10, I'd give EB a 1. I know some of the others had "issues" with him. The crowd "loved to hate him" but he was always a gentleman to me, really great guy. There were times during filming that I wanted to drop kick Todd Bridges & Trishelle, but I found Bischoff very huggable. I'm seeing him & his wife at a Halloween party this weekend.

3. Your castmate Trishelle Cannatella was one of my favorite characters in Real World history. Is she single and hypothetically speaking, do you think she would be interested in a guy that owns his own blog and a bunch of wrestling dolls?

Trish appeared to be single, but I think you could do better!

4. On the show Bewitched you had the power to turn people into any object. If you still had those powers, who on CCW would you turn into a frog?

See answer 2. Although Todd & I are great friends now, during the show I tried to avoid him.

5. On Bewitched, your father's name was Darren, according to your bio your husband's name is Darren, and currently you are being interviewed by someone named Darrin? Why do you think you attract all of these Darrens?

Darrens/ Darrins definitely hold a special place in my heart!

6. Because you have actually read my blog, undoubtedly I will be kissing your ass in future posts about CCW. Are there any adjectives that you would like for me to use about you in upcoming posts?

I would never tell you what adjectives to use (besides you're doing great so far on your own). I hope that watching the show, you'll see that I really took the training process seriously. I wanted true wrestling fans to know how much I respect the art form & hope we put on some entertaining matches.

7. Do you have any plugs or other projects you are working on?

There's talk of "taking our show on the road", so wrestling may be in my future.

I would like to thank Erin again for answering my questions. Hopefully she does well on the show. You can catch Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling on CMT every Saturday at 7PM CST/8PM EST. To find out more about Erin Murphy you can click here.

(Photo from cmt.com/photo credit: Ron Jaffe)

IMPACT in HD!

Don't forget TNA IMPACT debuts in HD tonight, live on Spike TV at 8PM CST, which will include the following:

- Mick Foley's "Big Announcement"
- Sting and Kevin Nash vs. Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles
- Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong for the Knockouts title
- Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Jay Lethal for the X Division title
- Christy Hemme vs. one of the Beautiful People
- Booker T reveals what is in his briefcase

Sounds like a good show. Cross the line!

(Photo from tnawrestling.com)

Toni Braxton Booted from DWTS

Say it ain't so! First, Kim Kardashian-- now Toni Braxton is gone! My dream finale has been shattered! Both of those dime pieces are gone but Cloris Leachman is still there! Have these producers ever heard of rigging the voting? Does anyone care about ratings anymore? I guess now I'll have to support Warren Sapp, the track guy or Brooke Burke.

Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling

The debut of Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling this past weekend on CMT was a mixed bag. On one hand, it was cheesy fun seeing these D-level celebrities trying to learn how to wrestle, but on the other hand, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were beyond annoying at times. Also, they let the ass kissing by Bischoff get out of hand.

Among the celebs on this show are Dennis Rodman, Danny Bonaduce, Screech from Saved by the Bell, Tiffany, Tabitha from Bewitched (who has six kids and is surprisingly hot), Trishelle from the Real World Las Vegas, Nikki Ziering (who allegedley got pregnant during the filming of this show), Butterbean, Frank Stallone and Todd Bridges. They were split into two groups and were coached by Hogan's buddies, Brian Knobbs of the Nasty Boys and Brutus Beefcake. They taught each team three moves (which is probably all the moves that both of them know), then the teams each had a horrible "match" (with dreadful commentary from Bubba the Love Sponge) and the judges decided who performed the moves the best. Tiffany got cut this week. She was lucky to escape. I may stick with this show though. At least until they cut the hot broads.

(Photo from cmt.com)

Quote of the Day

"(Sarah Palin) said that small towns, that's the part of the country she really likes going to because that's the pro-America part of the country. You know, I just want to say to her, just very quickly: Fuck you."-- Jon Stewart, while speaking to a college audience in Boston, MA.

Rudy Ray Moore, 1927-2008

"Man, move over and let me pass 'fore they have be to pullin' these Hush Puppies out your mothafuckin' ass!"-- Rudy Ray Moore in "Dolemite"

Condolences to the family and friends of actor and comedian Rudy Ray Moore, who passed away Sunday at the age of 81. He was best known for playing the character of "Dolemite" in a series of movies in the 70's.

Rock of Love Charm School

Yesterday's Rock of Love: Charm School was another compelling episode. At the start of the show, they showed Angelique with no makeup. At that moment, I realized why George Washington Carver invented the paper bag. That broad should never have signed the release form for that to air. I guess she needed the airtime though since she was kicked off the show at the end. I will miss her weird accent and her obsession with stripping.

This season, I'm going to have to cut Megan and Brandi C. loose (even though Brandi is adorable, her crying fit at the end was unbearable). I am firmly in the camp of Dallas and Heather. I also have to give props to Inna for getting in some good lines. Thus far, I am surprised that Kristy Jo has remained low key and stayed in the background. But then again, she had enough drama for three seasons in the last Rock of Love. Maybe she has left all of that drama in the past and will be the one who reforms and wins the big cash prize. She's my pick to win it. You heard it hear first!

(Photo from vh1.com)

Stacy Update

There has been a Stacy Keibler sighting at the local newsstand. Hollywood Nation's favorite former wrestler/Dancing with the Stars contestant is on the cover of the current edition of Maxim magazine. The article includes information on her Hollywood career and selling draws on Ebay. Oh, and some nice pictures too. Go pick it up.

(Photo from maximonline.com)

Two In A Row!

Not only did we win our second game in a row in the Hasslett Era, but we turned the football world on its ear by DESTROYING "America's Team", the Dallas Cowboys, leaving that team in tatters. Standouts included running back Steven Jackson who ran for 160 yards with three touchdowns and O.J. Atogwe (above) who got two interceptions. I never knew watching SportsCenter could be so fun. Up next: the New England Patriots. Step on up.

Oh Hells No!

On last night's Impact, did the Beautiful People finally cross the line? They attacked sweet little Christy Hemme in the hallway (below) and beat her senseless. Christy makes the best sad face in wrestling. How can I choose sides on this one? I may have to turn away. Next week's Impact debut in HD from Las Vegas should be fun (not that it will make me any difference since Charter Cable doesn't have Spike in HD). Regardless, this should be a fun feud:

City Wide

Recognize the photo above? It was the Picture of the Day on yesterday's broadcast of KMOV-TV's "Great Day St. Louis". You know why? Because of one simple equation: Hollywood=Ratings. TNA Wrestling even got a free plug out of it for their show coming to the Family Arena next Saturday. The least they could do is set me up with Rhaka Kahn or something.

New Mariah

Here's a picture of Mariah Carey on the set of her new video. Hooker boots and daisy dukes? Man, this song must be atrocious. Also, isn't she around 40? Shouldn't she have stopped dressing like that around 1995? The new video for "I Stay In Love" is supposed to debut Monday on BET at 9PM CST. This should be good.

(Photo from fadedyouthblog.com)

Madonna Divorce

After weeks of speculation, it was finally confirmed yesterday that Madonna and Guy Ritchie are getting a divorce. I'm a big fan of hers, but spending over five minutes with her must be a chore. I give the guy props for hanging in there for seven years of putting up with that attitude and the fake English accent. It must have been unbearable. Give this poor man half of everything she has and lets move on.

New Britney

Check out the new Britney Spears video for the song "Womanizer". Could she be back? And now that her career might be back on track, will the tramp start taking care of her kids?:

More Photos from the TNA Bound For Glory Fan Interaction

The Icon, Sting

Yes, we're better than you: Me and The Beautiful People

Raisha Saeed and Awesome Kong

Manager of Champions, Jim Cornette

Me and TNA Knockout's Law, Traci Brooks

Pictures from TNA's Bound For Glory Fan Interaction

Queen Sharmell, The Court Jester and King Booker

Beer! Money!

The Rock N Rave Infection and Christy Hemme in the best photo ever.

Me and President Carter.

Roxxi!

Rock of Love Charm School

Rock of Love: Charm School made it's debut last night on VH-1. I already love it. I feel comfortable with this cast; like an old pair of houseshoes. The debut episode set up the concept (trying to turn these reality rejects into respectable ladies) and introduced the cast. My random thoughts:

Coming off of her appearance on I Love Money, Megan is starting to get on my nerves already. She needs to disappear for a couple of months. With that said, it was funny when she said that Brandi M. had a man-voice... The French stripper broad wouldn't be half bad if they put a paper bag or a Batman mask over her face... Raven put sisters back about 30 years... I have a feeling that Dallas and the annoying Lacey are going to put their differences aside and team up at some point... Brandi C. is still adorable, although she is coming off as a bit contrived now. Next week some guy calls her "chubby". It's a hot chubby though. The pink hair needs to go though... Obviously the drunk girl didn't learn her lesson on Rock of Love. This is two reality shows in a row, where she got drunk, passed out and got kicked off the show early. Good luck in AA, baby!

(Photo from vh1.com)

TNA Bound For Glory IV Results

Results from last night's TNA Bound For Glory show from Chicago, which I watched on pay-per-view, although train-lag caught up to me and I fell asleep in the middle of this:

- Jay Lethal won a match over several X Division guys where he had to climb up a cage structure and climb through a hole at the top. Lots of good moves and fast action, but the concept was stupid. I thought Jimmy Rave got his neck broken at one point. No more climbing matches.

- Rhino, ODB and Rhaka Kahn beat The Beautiful People and Kip James when Rhino pinned Kip. Note to TNA: Please stop calling your women "bimbos". They did a fun segment where Rhino wrestled against Velvet Sky. Best part was the Beautiful People's ring entrance.

- Shiek Abdul Bashir beat Consequences Creed to retain the X Division title.

- Taylor Wilde beat Awesome Kong and Roxxi to retain the Knockouts Title, when Taylor pinned Roxxi. Good match.

- Beer Money retained the tag team titles when they beat LAX, Team 3D and Matt Morgan & Abyss in a Monster's Ball match. Former Chicago Bear and Four Horesman, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, was the special referee. This is the match where I began my decent into slumber (nothing to do with the match; it had just been a long day). Apparently, Abyss went through a flaming table. I will have to go back and watch this.

- Booker T won a three-way over Christian Cage and A.J. Styles when Booker pinned Cage.

- Jeff Jarrett beat Kurt Angle in a good match. Mick Foley was the outside of the ring referee and took a sick chairshot at one point. He came back with Mr. Socko, which led to Jeff hitting Kurt with the guitar and Mick counting the pin.

- Sting won the TNA World Title with his victory over Samoa Joe. Good match. They brawled out into the crowd at one point and Joe did a crazy move where he leaped out of the stands and dropkicked Sting on the stairs. Insanity. At the end, Kevin Nash hit Joe with a baseball bat to set up the Sting pin. Good show.

RAMS WIN!

We won! Hasslett turned it around in two weeks! HAHAHA!!! We're going to the Super Bowl! I'm drunk!

TNA Spin Cycle

It's that time again-- time for the TNA Spin Cycle. This week it's a special "Backstage" edition with guests Terry Taylor, Vince Russo, Disco Inferno and Simon Diamond. Boy does this answer a bunch of questions.

Halle Berry: Sexiest Woman In The World

Esquire magazine named the person above as the "Sexiest Woman In The World". Yeah, that would about sum it up.

Cornette Talks Obama/McCain

Legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette recently posted his thoughts about the presidential race on the Wrestling Classics message board (click here). It's long but it's a really good read. Take a look!

And The Winner Is...

A big shout-out to Hollywood Nation's favorite graphic artist, Rich Witzofsky (of KSDK-TV here in St. Louis), for taking home another Emmy at Saturday's Mid-America Emmy Awards ceremony. He won in the category of "Graphic Arts – Graphics-Program/News". Glad to see someone who is truly deserving getting some props. KMOV won for best morning newscast and KDSK's Mike Bush won several awards. On the KSDK website, someone left the comment "Did KSDK win for Most Callous Treatment of Longtime Employee award?" It was not clear if that comment was directed at the callous departure of longtime weatherman John Fuller last week or the callous departure of about 30 other people that I can think of off the top of my head.

I Love Money Season Finale

The great season of I Love Money finally came to an end on Sunday with Hoopz (above) coming out on top and taking the $250,000 grand prize. It came down to Hoopz and Whiteboy at the end, when the show morphed into the Amazing Race for the last half hour. We will miss this wonderful cast of characters but fear not, because most of them will return to VH-1 in the next couple of weeks. First of all, the I Love Money reunion show will air next Sunday night, followed by the season premiere of Rock of Love: Charm School. Then in a couple of weeks, Real and Chance try to find relationships in the new show Real Chance of Love. I could not make that up. Damn you, VH-1; I can never escape your mindless programming!

(Photo from vh1.com)

WWE No Mercy Results

Results from last night's WWE No Mercy pay-per-view show in Seattle:

- Matt Hardy beat Mark Henry to retain the ECW title

- Beth Phoenix beat Candice Michelle to retain the Women's Title

- Rey Mysterio beat Kane by DQ

- There was a confrontation between MVP, C.M. Punk, and Kofi Kingston against Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes and Manu

- Batista beat JBL. It was described as a glorified squash.

- Undertaker beat Big Show by KO

- Triple H beat Jeff Hardy to retain the Smackdown World Title

- Chris Jericho beat Shawn Michaels to retain the Raw World Title

Most sources seemed to agree that it was an excellent show and that the Jericho/HBK match was a possible match of the year candidate.

My New Favorite Commercial

How did they get all of those Mary's to cooperate for this?:

Spice News

There is much giddiness in the Hollywood Nation offices. According to a report at aol.com, Melaine Brown a.k.a. Scary Spice will be taking it all off in an upcoming issue of Playboy. She is the second Spice Girl to appear in Playboy; Ginger Spice/Geri Halliwell was in there a couple of years ago. Why not get Sporty, Baby and Posh in there to complete the set and get this thing over with? Girl Power!


(Photo from abc.com)