This week's SI Pop Culture Grid

SI's latest version is here (featuring I Brave that I don't quite know, strangely enough).

TNRLM answers:

Kanye West really needs to...
Go away forever.

I'd run The Amazing Race with...
My old friend Diana, who is amazingly bright and extremely worldly. I have no sense of geography whatsoever, so I'd basically be comic relief. (SI: WTA player Vera Zvonareva obviously wants to score some primo hippie lettuce, and Ken Griffey Jr.? I think you should be the one driving).

Favorite chick flick
Moulin Rouge. Or 10 Things I Hate About You.

When I was 15 I had a crush on...
Hey, I did a whole post on this! Check here!

I'm really sick of hearing about...
Octomom.

Last thing I do before I go to bed is...
Turn on the television sleep timer.

One thing you'd be too embarrassed to buy
I've gotten to the point where I have no shame.

Person you're dying to have a beer with
Ronald D. Moore or Joss Whedon. (SI: Griffey Jr. is planning on opening a new zombie bar).

Song playing on your iPod right now
"Workin' Day and Night" by Michael Jackson (leftover interest spurred by the return of Idol this week).

This week's SI Pop Culture Grid

Last week's TNRLM version. This week's SI Version.

On to the questions, and my answers:

____ should make a comeback

Dreams So Real, and obscure Athens band from my college days, whose albums only recently hit iTunes and Amazon. Or Sarah Michelle Gellar.

_____ reminds me of a desperate housewife

I had a lovely realtor, that reminded me of a shorter, bawdier Bree.

Weirdest thing a coach ever said to me

"Please, at least try the vegetables." (My dad was my little league coach). Or, I can think of an intramural football coach asking where we put the hooka.

My ultimate karaoke song would be

If I could sing, probably something by Sinatra. Since I can't, perhaps a Shatnerian version of "Rocket Man."

Best nickname I ever had

"Big Daddy," my bowling league nickname. Or, the one I use here.

I'm dying to get in the ring with...

In real life, he knows who he is. Or any Nielsen families that watch Supernanny on Fridays.

First car you ever owned

1972 Dodge Challenger.

I really wish I knew how to...

Play the piano.

Song playing on my iPod right now

"10 Million Slaves" by Otis Taylor

This week's SI Pop Culture Grid

Remember this from last week?

The new edition is out, which can be viewed here.

TNRLM take:

Song no one knows I listen to:
Wow. I have that iTunes app on the blog, so people get a feel for it. And I make no bones about my love of 70s and 80s Velveeta and other assorted less than hip picks. What about something relatively obscure that still racks up a significant iTunes play count, like Chris Isaak's "Solitary Man," or, N-Trance's cover of "Staying Alive?"

I think I'm addicted to:
Coffee. And ciggies. And diet Coke. And whiskey. And....

Most overrated TV show:
I won't include reality shows, since I don't think they get enough critical acclaim to be considered "rated." Grey's Anatomy? Or The Wire? (And shame on you, Roy Hibbert, for choosing How I Met Your Mother).

______________ would have me at "hello."
Carla Gugino.

I should win an Oscar for ____________
List making.

What about y'all?

SI's Pop Culture Grid

Longtime Sports Illustrated readers have seen the magazine evolve into several iterations over time. Originally, it was known for its breathtaking photography and outstanding, long-form journalism. As the age of the internet dawned, and the publication faced competition from ESPN the Magazine, it tried unsuccessfully to balance the light and frothy short attention span content with their heritage. Lately, it seems they've settled into a nice groove, retaining the integrity of the investigations and brilliant, longer pieces (see the whole A-Roid scandal for a recent example; or read this piece that still sticks with me today about a tragedy occurring in a "fringe" sport), while still having the breezy, fun content in the front of the book (like "this week's sign of the apocalypse" and "they said it").

One of the features I always read is the "Pop Culture Grid," where they ask some pop culture questions to a variety of athletes, male and female, from a variety of sports and backgrounds. I always think "what would I have answered if asked that?"

In what may become a regular feature, I'll do just that. From this week's edition:

Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry or Taylor Swift
Kelly for the music, Katy 'cuz not matter how awfully she dresses, she's HOT.

Favorite thing to chew
IceBreakers gum, which I can't seem to find anymore, dammit.

What hurts right now
My ego.

Reality show on which you'd like to guest star
None. I hate them.

_____ spends too much time looking in the mirror
I had a doubles partner in high school that carried a hair brush in his racquet bag.

Michael Phelps needs to...
A. tell people to fuck off, if that's what he wants to do. And B. not be so fucking stupid with camera phones around, if he wants his endorsements.

Song that best describes you
Highway to Hell

______'s voice is like nails on a chalkboard
Stephen A. Smith

Song playing on my iPod right now
BSG Podcast. Last music was REM's "Walter's Theme"


What about y'all? How would you answer? Feel free to debate or put your own grid responses in the comments.