The Hot Blog

Ewwwwwwwww! Yecchhhhhhhh! Bleaghhhhhhh!

Well, Dave, at least you didn't pick the Marilyn Monroe entry from the posted link.

Just go look at the GQ cover last month. Even Nick Lachy and Simpson's dad were disgusted by that cover. It at leasted opened Jessica Simpson up to play a MORLOCK in X3. Yes. I went there.

Dim all the way to the bank... She's not nearly as stupid as people think. At the very least, she knows her best assets.

heh, heh, ASSets

is that even her? she looks off in that pic.

Yeah. Jessica Alba is better.

I don't know why people rag on her. She's hot. She's rich. She's hot. She isn't that dumb. She is the new Goldie Hawn i.e. someone who people thought was dumb but was actually very smart.

Simpson isn't that dumb? I'm guessing that the woman herself would disagree with that.

Oh she is real dumb. Dumb enough to parlay this good looking, slightly dumb act into millions of dollars and feature film roles. A real dummy.

I think her dad is doing that for her Lester. He controls her every move, as he does for Ashley. He is the smart one, even if he is the world's biggest creep.

So her dads an evil genuis? You people give some people WAY too much credit. Give the girl some credit for being a success as well as hot as hell.

Josh, he definitely controls the career of both his daughters. It seems that he is a fairly savvy businessman.

Stella's Boy, he is obviously a smart businessman but she is no slouch herself. You don't control dummies in this position. She is taking it to the next level. And her sister isn't exactly reaping the rewards like she is.

You can say all the things you want about Jessica. But she is a smart cookie.

What evidence would you present to support your theory that she is smart? Even if she isn't just a puppet being controlled by her father, I don't know that I've ever seen her say or do anything that would make me think she is intelligent.

What evidence do you have that shes dumb? That she asked what Tuna by the Sea was? You ever think that shes acting? She has gone from two bit singer to movie star. You don't do that without brains. You can be cynical all you want though.

It is very hard for men to give credit to very good looking women sometimes. It is like they need an excuse to explain their success.

Is she really a movie star now? Does a starring role in a summer movie automatically elevate you to movie star? Give me a break Bruce. I have no problem giving credit to good looking women. I'm not the one who is claiming there are no female movie stars in the Nicole Kidman discussion. I'm not being cynical BluStealer. I am not trying to antagonize you. I am honestly curious as to what makes you believe she is smart. That's all.

poor stella doesn't like pretty girls. in her defense she is in a big summer movie and she is a star.

Being a movie star and being box office is completely different. Even you should realize that.

Who cares? She is gorgeous. Too bad she only has a 3 yr window to become a real big star.

I love her MTV show. I think its hysterical. If she can't hit a home run as Daisy Duke she won't get too many plum parts on screen.

Never really watched her tv show. Don't care much for reality tv.

I don't know how having somewhat of a career in show biz means you're smart and savvy. You guys know there are such things as agents and managers, right? And sometimes they help out with people's careers?

There are thousands of agents and managers in the business. Not many get people and clients to the top of the industry right? Not many get 7 figure paydays right?

Now agents are more important than looks and talent.

No one said MORE important. But you'd say no importance at all? Everyone with looks and talents are huge stars now, right? That's why there aren't any jobless hot and talented actors in LA at all. And that's why Jean Claude Van Damme was a huge star at one point...because of how intelligent and incredibly talented he is.

I wouldn't say Jean Claude was a huge star. He was a second tier, at best, action guy who made moderately successful films during a year time span. Most of his stuff were straigh up bombs.

Jessica is a star. She's been building up to this for years, paying her dues behind Aguilera and Spears in terms of popularity and probablly surpassing them in the last two years. She's a huge star now.

There is more into becoming a star than looks and talent. That is why there aren't that many of them. How many actors are there in Hollywood? It takes something special to become one. Looks, talent, the whole ball of wax.

Von is under the delusion that Van Damme became an action star because of what? His agent?

5 years ago, Jessica Simpson was a third rate pop star with no good songs to her credit. Now she is a best selling singer, tv star, and now in major motion pictures. And Britney, the #1 star 5 yrs ago, is now trying to follow Simpsons model to disastrous and maybe career ending results.

That is star power.

Okay. Just to clarify statements from the past day. Nicole Kidman, not a star, but Jessica "Dog Face" Simpson a movie star mostly because of her breasts? I believe, we have crossed, into some heretofor unseen silliness.

Lester, that doesn't make sense. She has star power because she's getting what Brittney once had? It's her time. In five years, she might be where Brittney is. She might last or she might be a flash in the pan like so many others. Britney rose quickly too.

The question is, why is she so big? Because she's so incredibly powerful and she knows how to micro manage her career, or because once you get some status you can get offered other things, and with canny managers become big? And who knows, maybe she's making all of the decisions. But I don't believe that she's incredibly smart just because she's famous.

Josh, why do you think there are super agents who are some of the most powerful people in Hollywood? Because they just sit around and wait for their clients to bring them business?

Hell, just watch the last season of Project Greenlight and see some talented actors get shut out because some hot piece of ass who can't act is friends with the casting director.

Hate to be the one to break this to you, BluStealer, but agents are more important than looks or talent - at least to get a performer's career off the ground.

I worked at United Talent Agency in 1994. A brash young agent had a barely known client who the agent insisted was going to be the next Tom Cruise. This was an actor with a puggish face whose only real credit up until that point was a not particularly distinguished supporting role in a Brendan Fraser film. Most of us thought the agent was either spinning his own wheels or just plain delusional.

The actor, of course, was Matt Damon. It was only Patrick Whitesell's fervent promotion of this C-list actor that got Damon's career off the ground. Whitesell was the one who feverishly brokered the "Good Will Hunting" script, and the rest is history. Damon will probably never be Tom Cruise (thank heavens!), but he is now generally considered a mega-star. And Whitesell is now head of the talent department at Endeavor.

That's just one story, and of course there are countless others. In case you haven't heard, BluStealer, there is virtually limitless talent out there, the vast majority of which never gets noticed, let alone employed. Agents, managers and publicists are the primary enablers of their select group of clients. Without them, pretty much every single star in the business would be nowhere. If you don't understand that fundamental truth, you really need to learn how the talent end of this business works.

If you don't have the looks/talent, you will never get an agent. And the agent can only get you into a room. You need to close the deal yourself.

You are so right. If anyone whether or not they have the chops signs with ICM or CAA they're going to be a star. I should have known. It isn't about talent anymore. It is about what agent you have and that agent gets you roles no matter what you bring to the table. Thanks for telling me.

No Blu, but you act like it's all about looks and talent when even Jessica Simpson is smart enough to know it's not that simplistic.

Not simple? You just said its all about your agent.

Some on this blog are the kings of the backtrack, double talk. First shes stupid. Then its her svengali father who is a genuis. Then its the agents who do it all. Make up your mind already. But don't give any credit to the actual performer. God in heavens, No.

Blu, I never said it was all about her agent and she brings nothing to the table. But I do think she probably has very good handlers who help her out. Don't a lot of stars? Why is that so hard to imagine?

Look at my name. "Von Intelligent." You can't even spell "blue" correctly. I win.

Thousands upon thousands of performers have breathtaking looks and boundless talent - and no agent. And no work.

Yes, performers have to sell themselves once they get into the room. But they virtually never get into the room without an agent. And it is the agent or manager who usually trains them about what to do once in the room (beyond the likely script-reading part of an audition). And it is the agent who warranties to the filmmakers that their untested client will get the job done in a professional manner, which can make all the difference in the world to a nervous producer. I'm not saying the actors have nothing to do with their own successes. But, I repeat, almost all would certainly be nowhere, unemployed, unemployable, broke and clueless without their agents.

an agent is all it takes to become rich and famous and become a star??? von cracked the hollywood system!

No Bob, apparently all it takes is talent and looks, which is why there are no jobless talented actors in all of Hollywood!

thanks for the insight von. why aren't u working at a think tank to end world problems? why are u wasting your talents away on figuring out why agents run hollywood?

Because Von doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. It's always the dumb ones who say they're smarter than someone on a post board.

Well what is it, Von? Is it the agent or the star? Maybe a little bit of both? Is that possible? Can't be just the agent because then we'd have many, many more stars right now. I'm just curious.

My note to Jess:
I feel for you not getting the respect from certain members of the public. They think you're stupid. That your father runs your life. That your agents have made you into who you are. Don't worry, honey, I believe in you.

Bruce

there isn't much doubletalk but alot of mis-paraphrasing:

Maybe this will help or cause infinite damage to young Jessica's legions:

Jessica Simpson:

Agent/Management(numerous people do this for her.LOTA KNOWS): 55%

Being in the right place at the right time: 10%

Make-up/hair/style & Publicist-for damage control: 20%

Married temporarily to pop singer: 5%

TALENT: implants + porcelain jacketed teeth + butt + fake healthy tan/glo product + saying dumb things that endear her to leering males + popsinging to endear her to girls +most importantly her YOUTH = 10%

I put Jessica in the 10% Talent bracket and I predict she'll be competing with Tammy Faye Baker for attention in 10 years. Her mindless comedy may be a hit. More power to stupid, but if she has acting chops past one-liners I will be astounded and apologize to all soon-to-be divorced Chicken of the Sea's fans.

Anyone who is signed with an agent and working knows who they have to thank for it--and it aint their "talent". Chester is 100% correct. Why do you think the stars non-stop plug their agents/manager & publicists? If they have any sense at all they remember not only how they got big time projects but more importantly--why they are Staying there.

I am not saying that successful people like Jessica Simpson (won't last) don';t have something going for them, but what they have is very ephemeral and hardly what I'd call chops to sustain them when botox etc isn't helping anymore.

Walter Matthau, Boris Karloff, Harvey Keitel, Kathy Bates, the list goes on of people who don't look like supermodel Barbie and Kens, but who had(RIP)or have talent AND worked hard/alot/smart.

And they still would credit representation/management/bookers acknowledging how it paves the way for them to ACT and spend money.

going back to sleep. Nightmares of Jessica becoming an A-list star while 2 more studios get defragmented by their unloving Media Conglomerate Parent companies.

There are a lot of girls who look just as good as her. Plenty who can sing better. Plenty who can probably out act her. But she has what they call It. Can't quantify. Better people than you people have tried.

When did Kathy Bates and Walter Mathau become huge stars? Where have I been this whole time? Maybe I'm still scarred from seeing Kathy Bates naked on the big screen. Must be it.

Seeing on the big screen in short pants. Jessica Simpson or Kathy Bates or Boris Karloff? Hmmmm.

enjoy Jessica's ass while you can.

Kathy Bates' ass, for a 57 yr old woman, is still worth some money.

I doubt Jessica will be getting 1-5 movies a year for 16 years, many of them making huge profits.

Dukes is her only movie thus far. it won;t flop because of the well-advertized skin factor and the rating.

But we'll see in a few years how Jessica does. If she's lucky she'll get a TV show with a long contract.

OK, Bruce, bicycle bob, BluStealer, Josh, et al. Let's just talk plainly here. If you think Jessica Simpson is a brilliant, gifted, natural talent rather than a prepackaged (by others) manufactured product, you are out of your minds.

Who called her brilliant? I don't see that on any of the posts.

According to you guys, she must have been brilliant to create this persona for herself.

I didn't think the hatred for a performer was this harsh. Never said she was brilliant. But on second thought she just might be. How many under performing singers become big screen movie stars? She has to be doing something right don't you think? You can deny her smarts and talent all you want but it just shows you to be haters.

We are talking about her and her career before her big movie is opening. You think the studio made the right choice with her? I think it was gold for them. Regardless of if she can act or not.

blustealer...i only have felt hate for ~ 4 people in my entire life and Jessica isn't one of them, geez.

Yes Mark--it was a gold decision to put her in that particular movie. it'll make money.

I think putting her in the movie was the smartest thing the studio did regarding this movie.

I don't see why it's being a hater to feel that she's handled incredibly well by managers and agents. How is that saying she has no talent?

And come the hell on Blu, lots of crap singers and actors get to be in movies. How do you explain Pia Zadora? She sure couldn't act.

How about Brittney Spears? Or Mariah Carey for God's sake?

Have a hit album. Now your name is worth something. Now try to weasel into a movie. Someone will probably give you a role simply based on that fame.

When did Simpson become a stellar beauty? If one removes their eyes long enough from her breasts. One will see a face that might rank at a 5. Go look at the GQ cover from last month. If you want to defend the beauty of the person on that cover. Good luck with that, and may it not make you look bad in restropect.

This whole argument boils down to some posters love of her breasts. So, going with the logic in this thread, all of the female stars insulted by many of you in a previous thread. Would be HUGE MOVIE STARS. If their breasts were as big as Simpsons.

I doubt, et al, hate women. Et al, seemingly, have a very chauvinistic view of feminity at best.

No hatred here. Maybe a little bit of contempt, if you see the difference.

Didn't see Rory's final paragraph before hitting the button for my last posting. My comments were directed at Jessica Simpson, not women.

and to those dissing my man Walter Matthau who had a 50 year career: after he was 68 yrs old, the last 10 years of his life, he had three movies that grossed 70M at the US BO, which for an old man...is better than not bad.

He was a star. won 1 oscar, nom for 3.

would I want to see his ass on screen...NO.
The truth comes out when y'all wax poetic about Jessica being Talented--yeah you want to see her ass, she isn't very talented in the Actor/Hollywood star vein is she. It's not talent it's ASS. and a manufactured ass at that (I give her team the credit--they have doen a stellar job).

Lota, all the people you cited are deserved legendary Hollywood royalty. The best that someone like Jessica Simpson can probably hope for is being remembered as a pin-up novelty act. If she's luckiest, she'll be able to repackage and market herself the way Suzanne Somers has.

Someone has said that why not Mariah Carey and Britney Spears. But that fact is those women had their chance to be big screen stars.

The movies they were in failed. Horribly. Disasters. Jessica is really smart enough not to do just any movie. She choose specific work tailored really to herself. What better role for a hot novice actor to play than Daisy Duke in a light comedy? Especially when none of the blame will fall on you if it fails.

This is the chicks first movie role and here are people writing her obituary. Doesn't take long for the talentless to smell blood in the water. Hiss. Boo.

She is perfect casting for this Dukes movie. She doesn't even have to know how to act.

Didn't realize so many were jealous of a pretty girl. Go girl power go.

Chester, I did not reference you in my comments. I reference other posters here, that seemingly are defending this one person because of her tits. Though, ignoring, in another thread how they slammed other actress, who have proven themselves, for not being commercial enough.

Hypocrisy seldom, if ever, gets better than this.

Why you slammin her over her tits? Did you know shes going for the oscar for this role?

No problem, Rory. I never thought you were referencing me. I just thought my comment at 10:37 PM could be misinterpreted in light of the one you posted right above it at 10:36.

The sad thing is she is a bigger movie star than the Cate Blanchetts of the world. And she hasn't even made a movie yet.

I have to admit that when I think great actress AND great rack -- I tend to think of Meryl Streep. Or Helen Mirren. Or Angela Bassett.

Meryl Streep has a great rack??? Not gonna find too much support for those, Joe. (No pun intended.)

In response to joefitz' comments. Im curious. How can half of the blog take the other half of the blog seriously? Insult any other viewpoints you wish other half, but, in unison, you are defending Jessica Simpson. The fitz calls her a 'movie star?' I do believe. We just passed ludicrous speed. However, please continue to bash the talented actresses of Hollywood, and celebrate someone less talented than her nationally embarassed little sister. It's good for a laugh.

Cant we all just get along?

I saw Dukes of Hazzard tonight, and she surely isn't a very good actress (and she's not that cute, from a facial standpoint), but I defend her for this simple reason:

From GOOGLE:

JESSICA SIMPSON wants to know where missing footage of her and husband NICK LACHEY's harrowing trip to Iraq got to - because she thinks Americans would like to see just how bad conditions are there.

The pop singers-turned-reality TV couple travelled to the war-torn nation to visit US troops as part of a recent ABC TV variety special, and they were both left shellshocked by what they saw.

But all the controversial moments and harrowing footage of the trip didn't appear in the fun-filled TV show.

Simpson says, "It was unbelievable. They didn't show a lot of what really went on with the enemy attacks and the shelling. There was so much stuff that went on and somehow the tapes got mysteriously misplaced.

"It put everything in perspective for me. It really did teach me the definition of sacrifice. I can't even fathom being out there right now. I was ready to come home."

Unlike pretty much every other pop star out there (including the more 'daring' sex symbols like Spears), she actually has the guts to complain abou the media whitewashing of the carnage in Iraq. I applaud her for actually having the decency to think for herself.

As for the movie, without giving too much away, let me say that fans of "What's The Matter With Kansas?" might find it much smarter and worthwhile than they expected.

Scott Mendelson

More enjoyable than Hustle and Flow probably, because it is truly hard outside for a pimp.

Scott, well, that's very commendible of her. She never came across as stupid, just a lack of common sense. Which leads to people being ditzes.

However, revealing this Scott, Im curious at how the other half of the blog will respond. Will they still defend her for going against the standard, or more right-wing, view of the war?

What I don't understand is why looking at why she's so popular makes someone a hater. I don't hate her, and I don't like her. She barely registers on my radar.

I would stick my thing in her though. Twice.

rory why u so obsessed with right wingers and politics? why can't u just enjoy the movie convos? its always about that with u. its very boring.

She is popular because she is a tv star, she is hot as heck and she strikes a chord with certain segments of the population. There is a reason she is on the cover of every gossip mag every week. People want to read about her.

Now if this movie is even a semi hit she'll become movie star popular. If you don't like her you better be worried.

Angela Basset has some body for a lady in her 40's. She really trains hard or sold her soul to the Devil.

You guys are funny. You trash this girl for being stupid and a dunce for a whole day then you may think that she bashes the war and you rush to her side. The motives on some people. Geez.

Merryl Streep now or 1978?

Angela is one fine lady. Even today.

This broad is dumb as rocks but as pretty as a flower. I'm seeing this movie because of her body. Its the Dukes of Hazzard after all.

It really depends on the movie. I don't think many people go see movies because of a hot girl in tight shorts. But you never know with guys.

I'm seeing it because of those shorts. But I'm shallow.

Jack Napier/Scott--Sorry but that is an invitation for a rant.

Please don't mistake Jessica's Sentiment for anything else but that. She is young able bodied and supported the war in Iraq at election time--so she, in REALITY, she should practice what she preaches and go/enlist herself instead of doing fly in visits so she can keep her career going. I hope she has revised her war-sustaining position, now that she had a very short dose of reality that the War strategy simply isn't working. My dead relatives and dead teenage boy Marine I used to babysit will thank her from the grave I am sure.

Three people dead from lack of armor on their trucks in Iraq in the last 6 months that I loved. UNARMED & UNARMORED TRUCKS. Rumsfield was attacked over it and embarassed over it, but guess Defense dept thinks the Marines forgot about the "hillbilly armor". They didn't. You kind of remember when you have to pick up pieces of your friends everyday becasue your country claims to support "the troops", but in fact doesn't.

The US govt has 250M to spend on advertising(just agreed with Burnett advertising) but not 250M to outfit trucks & soldiers properly.

"There was so much stuff that went on and somehow the tapes got mysteriously misplaced." Really Jessica? "Mysteriously"? Maybe she really does only have 4 brain cells operating.

So Jessica "I was ready to come home". Yeah so are the Marines who are having their Discharges violated because no one is enlisting. A sign of an unpopular war.

Democrats wouldn't criticize CLinton and Republicans won't criticize Bush. This country is in a pretty deep trench that took years to dig and no one is looking outside of it.

Will Jessica keep her eyes open or is she going to close them again and go back to her Fascinating MTV Life?

I think we're pretty much in agreement. And for the record, I do criticize Clinton for several things. While he was a more nuanced public speaker, and he had more command of the issues than any president I can remember, he was also not being brave enough to stand up on several important issues that passed in his stead (Don't Ask Don't Tell, Welfare Reform, Defense Of Marriage, etc), and giving up so quickly on healthcare reform.

As for her supporting the war in election time, does that then mean she is unable to change her mind when she learns information that was new to her? That's the very problem with politics, as even the idea of learning new things and broadening your opinion is attacked due to earlier having the very same opinions that were altered. One can't change their mind or grow as a person without being accused of 'flip-flopping' (a term Bill Maher used as why he would never run for office years before it became lexicon).

Is it unfortunate that Simpson didn't bother to learn these things earlier? Of course it is, but let's not penalize her for bothering to speak out when she does. Famous liberal politicans aren't going to change the minds of the people that need to be changed. Nor are liberal celibrities. But celebrities like Simpson who are considered 'one of them' might make a difference, even a very very small one.

As it is, the only point I was trying to make was that Simpson, often criticized for being shallow and dumb, still apparently had her eyes more open than other, less picked-on celebrities. Make of that what you will.

On a related note, that's kind of the point of the Dukes of Hazzard movie. In case posting addresses isn't allowed, I'll cut and paste the stuff I want feedback on. If you want the whole thing, google valley scene magazine, as I don't recall if its kosher to plop in addresses that could be construed as plugs. Please let me know if I'm crazy, as I'm literally the only person, critic or otherwise, who came to these conclusions about the movie.

Scott Mendelson
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"The oddest thing about the film is that, while it indulges in certain less than esteemed bits of southern folklore, it has something trickier up its sleeve. The film seems to revel in the usual liberal-bashing stereotypes. The good guys are dumb, poor, not bathed, and scornful of authority. The bad guys are smart, well dressed, clean, intelligent, and usually members of authority. So, it would seem that this is a usual ‘Us vs. Them’ saga, a battle between rich, educated city folks, and poor, bored, uneducated ‘real Americans’. Yet, in the end, the film could easily be read as a metaphor for the whole absurdity of that idea. The main villain, Boss Hogg, masquerades as one of the ‘real people’, but secretly plots to steal their homes purely out of greed. Remember that stock car race I mentioned? Well, that’s organized by Boss Hogg as a giant diversion so he can subvert the law to get his evil plan rubber-stamped.

So, basically, we have a movie aimed at the ‘red state’ demographic which involves a rich, cooperate bad guy who pretends to be ‘one of them real folk’ and uses the bread and circuses of a stock car race as a diversion so he can screw those ‘real Americans’ out of their property. And, in the end, it is big government and law and order that saves the day once the evil scheme is exposed. Readers of What’s The Matter With Kansas? might be amused. Whether this can be taken as a symbolic representation of ‘god, gays, and guns’ (the three ‘moral issues’ that are used as a distraction to get people to vote for the very politicians that will help insure that their children starve to death or go uneducated) can be debated, but the fact that this film seems to have such an important point – pay attention and don’t fall for the distractions around you – is a bit of a shock.

On a slightly related note, this comes days after Jessica Simpson openly complained about ABC censoring and softening the real living conditions of the US troops that she and her husband went to entertain in Iraq for a TV special. With all the talk about how Simpson’s popularity is a reflection of people wanting a boring, safe, squeaky clean sex symbol, it’s worth noting that more ‘daring’ sex symbols like Brittany Spears never had the guts to make such statements, or even really think for themselves. She may be a lousy actress, but she has moxy.

Obviously, one need not read this much into The Dukes Of Hazzard. On purely surface levels, it’s a quick, light, squeaky-clean ‘thrillbilly’ comedy that is slightly funnier and slightly more exciting than most people expected it to be. Whether or not the mass, unthinking consumption of this film will cause it to be the very sort of distraction that it seemingly rallies against is a valid question. But the very fact that this seemingly assembly line product actually raises such a question makes it just that much closer to being art."

Scott Mendelson

I have much more respect for Jessica Simpson than I have for Britney Spears. JS seems like a real person, BS just seems like a parody of one. Did anyone see that ridiculous reality special of her and Kevin F.? What a difference a makeup team can make...

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